In future seasons, Arizona vs. Kansas State could be an exciting Big 12 intraconference matchup. However, for this year and next, this will be a non-conference matchup as the home-and-away series was scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12.
No. 14 K-State gave the visiting Wildcats a prime “Welcome to the Big 12” moment with a 31-7 win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Friday night. Quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 110 yards. The home Wildcats rushed for 234 total yards, including DJ Giddens’ 77 yards and a touchdown.
The loss ended No. 20 Arizona’s nine-game winning streak, which was the longest active win streak in the FBS. That streak dated back to last October’s 44-6 win at Washington State (which was then a Pac-12 conference matchup) and included a 38-24 victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Second Quarter Pivot
The game hinged on two possessions early in the second quarter. After K-State’s defense forced a three-and-out, Dylan Edwards ran from the right hash line across the field and around the corner on the left sideline, outpacing four Arizona defenders for a 71-yard punt return touchdown. That gave K-State a 14-7 lead.
On the next possession, the Wildcats reached the KSU 30-yard line, thanks in large part to two 49-yard receptions by star receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Quarterback Noah Fifita looked in McMillan’s direction for the third time and left him seemingly open in the end zone. But cornerback Keenan Garber lunged to intercept the pass.
Kansas State had a chance to add a field goal late in the first half, but with nine seconds remaining, Johnson seemingly lost track of time, scrambling to keep the play alive and eventually running for a five-yard gain. He stepped out of bounds, but time expired.
However, KSU shouldn’t have had the chance to score a field goal anyway. As Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira pointed out on the broadcast, the home Wildcats should have been assessed a false start penalty.
The host Wildcats pulled away by 14 points in the third quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Brayden Loftin and a 1-yard scoring run by Giddens. Will Swanson scored K-State’s first touchdown on a 3-yard reception.
For Arizona, McMillan proved to a national television audience on Fox that he could be the best pass catcher in the country and likely a first-round NFL Draft pick next year, catching 11 passes for 138 yards. Montana Lemonious-Craig had six receptions for 75 yards. Fifita threw for 268 yards with one interception, completing 24 of 38 passes. Quail Conley ran for 48 yards and scored Arizona’s only touchdown on the game’s opening drive.
Kansas State’s next game will be against BYU on Sept. 21 for Big 12 play. Arizona will have a bye week before playing Utah, the No. 12 seed, on the road on Sept. 28.
