Kansas State overcomes 17-point deficit, stuns Rutgers in Rate Bowl barnburner

PHOENIX — Kansas State stormed back from down three scores on Thursday to pull off a miraculous comeback win, 44-41, over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field.

“Great resolve by our guys,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said postgame. “In a bowl game when you get down 34-17, it’s easy to throw in the towel, but not this crew.”

After Rutgers doubled up K-State, the Wildcats stormed back with 12 unanswered points to make it a five-point game.

The Wildcats lost momentum when its offense stalled out on a four-play series that included a missed pass interference call.

Then the ensuing punt, Rutgers return man Christian Dremel took it back 67 yards to set up a touchdown that was the Scarlet Knights’ first score after three straight stops. Rutgers scored each time out prior.

Kansas State found the end zone to again make it a one-score game on the next drive, which featured a 36-yard completion to Dante Cephas and a nine-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson.

Dylan Edwards gave the Wildcats the lead on the next drive with a 36-yard touchdown run, his third score of the game.

When Rutgers was faced with a fourth-and-7 near midfield at the two-minute timeout, a short pass couldn’t make the line to gain, effectively ending its season.

Kansas State missed out on opportunities early to put them in the hole.

Quarterback Avery Johnson went 0-for-3 in the first trip to the red zone, which ended in a field goal, and he had an interception in Rutgers territory later in the half.

There was also a key holding call early in the second half on what was otherwise a first-down run by Johnson that instead set up third-and-20.

After Rate Bowl win, K-State coach says he’s rooting for ASU in CFP

The Wildcats entered the Rate Bowl as seven-point favorites and with a chance to notch a big nonconference victory for the Big 12, which has struggled with its perception throughout the season.

“We can’t control that. That’s a narrative that we don’t have any chance to control. We know our league plays good football,” Klieman said.

“I can’t wait to watch Arizona State play (in the College Football Playoff). I’m a big Kenny Dillingham fan, I’ve got friends on that staff, they’re gonna come ready to play,” he continued. “So I’m rooting for those guys just like a lot of guys on our team are.”

K-State, which finished eighth in its conference, picked up the win on the bowl stage against ninth-place Big Ten squad Rutgers.

Because the Scarlet Knights didn’t play any of the Big Ten’s heaviest hitters this season, a loss — especially if the 34-17 rate kept up — could’ve looked worse than how the win helps perception.

No star running backs in Rate Bowl? No problem

With both teams missing starting running backs due to their preparations for the NFL draft, their respective backups stepped up to make the most of the opportunity.

Without star running back D.J. Giddens, who dominated the Big 12 this season, understudy Edwards stepped up to make his mark for Kansas State.

He had a 43-yard run on K-State’s first drive to set up a field goal and had a 26-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown later in the half before later giving them the lead. He finished with 223 total yards and three touchdowns.

Each of Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin had two touchdowns for Rutgers. Raymond carried the heavier load in place of starter Kyle Monangai, with 113 yards on 18 carries.

The Wildcats’ run defense had given up at least 100 rushing yards in seven of their last eight games coming in. Rutgers backs tallied 149 yards in just the first half to build the lead, with Raymond accounting for 104.