K-State allowed Rutgers to gain a whopping 319 yards in the first half and still won the yardage battle 542 to 401 by the end of the fourth quarter. The Wildcats flipped a switch midway through the third quarter and played some excellent football. As for the quote ...

PHOENIX — Rutgers was well on its way to an encouraging end to the 2024 season, a win that would not only finish the campaign on a high note but show plenty of promise for the following fall. But the Scarlet Knights will spend the offseason wondering how they let it slip away — and how they can fix a major issue on one side of the ball.

Kansas State will try to rebound from a difficult finish to the regular season as it faces Rutgers in the Rate Bowl.

Kansas State may only be the reigning Pop-Tarts Bowl champions for a few more days, but the Wildcats can still end the season on a high note in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers at Chase Field in Phoenix on Thursday.

Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State rally past Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl.

Rutgers decided to pull a fast one during Thursday night’s Rate Bowl at Chase Field, and it worked to perfection. While looking to run the Philadelphia Eagles’ tush push at the 1-yard line against Kansas State, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis instead handed the ball off to running back Antwan Raymond for the fake.

Kansas State already ranks No. 18 in the country in expected points added (EPA) per rush, a rank buoyed immensely by explosive plays in comparison to the Wildcats ranking just No. 61 in rushing success rate, more a measure of down-by-down ability.

Nov 30, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) is pressured by Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Jacob Ellis (44) in the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images / Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

The Kansas State football team ended its season with one of the most exciting bowl wins in school history. Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards led the Wildcats to a thrilling 44-41 victory over Rutgers at the Rate Bowl on Thursday inside Chase Field.