Kansas State Wildcats
· 2026-07-15
The Kansas State Wildcats handed the Oklahoma State Cowboys a 38-17 loss in their last matchup, a game that still stings for OSU fans. That October 2025 clash in Manhattan saw K-State’s defense smother the Cowboys’ offense, forcing four turnovers and holding them to just 248 total yards.
On October 11, 2025, the Kansas State Wildcats welcomed the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium for a primetime Big 12 showdown. The Wildcats struck first with a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Avery Johnson to wide receiver Devin Leary. Oklahoma State’s offense, led by quarterback John Paul Richardson, managed just two field goals before halftime, while K-State’s AJ Brown added a 42-yard field goal to make it 10-6 at the break.
The second half turned into a rout. Kansas State’s defense sacked Richardson four times and intercepted him twice, including a pick-six by safety Tyrese Robinson. Running back Jalen Thomas pounded for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, sealing the win. The final score stood at 38-17, the largest margin of victory for K-State in the series since 2019.
That win wasn’t just a statement—it was a statement of intent. The Wildcats improved to 5-2 on the season and kept their Big 12 title hopes alive. For Oklahoma State, the loss dropped them to 4-3 and exposed their offensive line struggles against K-State’s pass rush. The game also marked the first time since 2022 that K-State had beaten OSU by double digits.
Coach Chris Klieman called it a "complete performance" afterward, praising the defense’s turnovers and the offensive line’s physicality. The win also gave K-State momentum heading into a tough stretch against Texas and Baylor. Richardson, meanwhile, struggled under pressure, completing just 18 of 35 passes for 198 yards and two interceptions.
The Wildcats face the Nicholls Colonels on September 5, 2026, in their season opener. K-State will look to build on last year’s 8-5 record and a bowl win over North Carolina. The schedule sets up a potential trap game against Nicholls before Big 12 play resumes.
Kansas State’s defense returns nine starters, including Robinson and linebacker Daniel Green. The offense, meanwhile, will rely on Johnson to cut down on turnovers after he threw 12 interceptions in 2025. A strong start against Nicholls could set the tone for a run at the Big 12 title.
The Wildcats open at home against Nicholls on September 5, 2026, aiming to carry that October 2025 momentum into the new season.