Kansas State rallies late from 17 down to stop Rutgers in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field

The Kansas State Wildcats earned a 44-41 comeback win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Rate Bowl on Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field in Phoenix on Thursday.

The underdog Scarlet Knights had a 27-17 halftime lead and pushed the advantage to 34-17 at the 8:57 mark of the third quarter. The Wildcats stormed back on the strength of several plays and defensive stops, eventually scoring the clinching touchdown on Dylan Edwards’ 36-yard run with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter.

“I think the (Kansas State) guys believed,” Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore said, “but once we started playing faster and started sending more pressure, the guys really believed and bought in, and I think ​​it’s kind of when we were sweet. off the mark that the momentum started to shift.”

The two-point conversion, an Avery Johnson pass to Garrett Oakley, moved the advantage to 44-41 and marked Kansas State’s first lead since 10-7 in the first quarter.

Rutgers didn’t get past midfield on the next drive and had a turnover on downs with 1:55 left. Johnson had a 6-yard run for a first down and then took a knee twice to seal the win.

Kansas State was led by Edwards’ 18 carries for 196 yards and three touchdowns, Johnson (15-for-30, 195 yards, three touchdowns, one interception), Austin Romaine (seven tackles) and Moore (six tackles including 1.5 for loss ).

Sophomore Edwards filled in for Kansas State’s top rusher DJ Giddens, who sat out after he declared for the NFL draft. Edwards drove the Wildcats’ no. 18th-ranked rushing attack that had 347 yards to Rutgers’ 164.

“I played all season,” Edwards said when asked about his increased role in the Rate Bowl. “It wasn’t like I was waiting for my time. I was just trying to do my job and my part for this team.”

“I think you could say I had more of a job to do today, so as long as I stayed focused and did what I had to do, I think we were going to be successful.”

The Scarlet Knights’ top performers were freshman RB Antwan Raymond (18 carries, 113 yards, three rushing TDs), Strong (five catches, 105 yards) and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (14-for-32, 237 yards, one TD, one INT ).

Rutgers finished 7-6, ninth in the Big Ten standings.

“I lost count of the number of season-ending surgeries, and in this day and age of college football, most teams would have folded up their tent and said, ‘We’ll worry about next year,'” Rutgers coach Greg said Schiano. . “And this group of guys fought back. They literally tore themselves off the canvas and fought back and found a way to win seven games and make it in the Big Ten Conference.”

The Wildcats finished their season 9-4. They had a 7-1 start, were ranked as high as no. 15 in the USA Today poll, but fell out of the poll in Week 11 when they lost three of their last four games. They finished eighth in the Big 12 after being picked by college football experts during the preseason to contend for a conference title.

“I know there’s some disappointment because there’s a lot of teams that don’t win nine games, man,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We just won nine fucking games and we want to talk about a disappointment?

“I’m out of this business if that’s what we’re going to do because it’s crazy hard to win. And if you look at what our guys did to win the ninth game, I’m nothing but proud of these guys.”

K-State is rooting for Arizona State in the College Football Playoff

Arizona State is the only Big 12 team in the College Football Playoff after winning the conference title.

Klieman said after the Rate Bowl that he is partial to No. 4 seed ASU in the CFP quarterfinals against No. 5 Texas in the Jan. 1 Peach Bowl because of the conference connection and more.

“We know our league plays great football,” Klieman said. “I can’t wait to see Arizona State play. I’m a big (ASU coach) Kenny Dillingham fan. I have friends on that staff. They come ready to play.”

ASU beat Kansas State, 24-14on 16 Nov

Klieman isn’t alone in rooting for ASU against former Big 12 school Texas, which is playing its inaugural season in the SEC.

The Republic asked K-State fan Cole Copeland, who attended the Rate Bowl, for his prediction.

“As far as Texas, since they’re a former Big 12 school and they left the Big 12, I don’t like them that much,” Copeland said. “I hope they lose. I know they’re stacked as far as talent goes, but I think anything is possible.

“I think ASU has a good team as proven. They went 11-1 with their starting quarterback (Sam Leavitt), without him they lost … I think it will be within 12 and a half.”

Texas was favored by 13.5 points as of Thursday night.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on the Arizona Republic: Kansas State makes a comeback vs. Rutgers in Phoenix’s Rate Bowl