Kansas State’s Defense Shines in Hard-Fought Win at Oklahoma State

The Kansas State Wildcats delivered all three. In a match where offence took a back seat, K-State’s defense powered the team to a gritty 14–6 win over Oklahoma State. That gave the Wildcats just their third victory at Boone Pickens Stadium in the last 27 years. The win pushed Kansas State to 5–5 overall and 4–3 in Big 12 play.

Kansas State Showcased Defensive Resilience in Stillwater

Oklahoma State came into the matchup riding one of the most astonishing streaks in college football, having won 79 of its last 80 games when holding opponents under 20 points since 2005. With the Cowboys outgaining the Wildcats 373–284, history seemed firmly on the side of the home team. But Kansas State was determined to flip the script.

CATS WIN!!!#EMAW👌 pic.twitter.com/0IPIbG9BFo
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) November 15, 2025

The Cowboys are now 1–9 and 0–7 in Big 12 play under interim head coach Doug Meacham. Logan Ward drilled two long 47-yard field goals, one late in the first quarter. And another early in the second, to give Oklahoma State a 6–0 lead.

However, that would be the extent of their scoring. Kansas State’s defense responded with relentless pressure. That also forced six punts and never allowed quarterback Zane Flores to settle in. Flores threw for 233 yards on 24-of-36 passing. Even so, it was intercepted twice and brought down by Cody Stufflebean and Ryan Davis. They created chaos throughout the afternoon.

First-Half Breakthrough and Offensive Struggles

Kansas State’s offense had trouble finding its footing early, but a late first-half spark changed the tone. Avery Johnson connected with Jayce Brown on a short slant. And Brown exploded down the field for a 34-yard touchdown. That also gave K-State a 7–6 lead with just over seven minutes left in the half.

Brown was unstoppable early, catching three passes for 82 yards before disappearing from action due to injury. He returned to the sideline wearing a shoulder sling and did not play after halftime, leaving the Wildcats without their most explosive offensive playmaker.

K-State tried to add to its lead before the break with an 8-play, 43-yard drive. But Luis Rodriguez missed a 38-yard field goal with 15 seconds left. Still, the Wildcats entered halftime with a lead they hadn’t quite earned statistically, prompting Chris Klieman to say, "We weathered the storm on it. We played a very hesitant first half and somehow led 7–6. That gave us a little bit of life."

Oklahoma State immediately moved inside the 10-yard line following a big pass to Rodney Fields Jr., but the Wildcats delivered their first major turning point. Stufflebean punched the ball out on third-and-6, and Damian Ilalio fell on it to end the threat.

The next drive ended with Ryan Davis strip-sacking Flores, with Rex Van Wyhe recovering the ball. The Wildcats finally converted those chances into points, marching 70 yards on a 10-play drive. A gutsy fourth-and-6 completion to Garrett Oakley kept the drive alive before Joe Jackson powered in from 15 yards out on fourth-and-1 to give K-State a 14–6 lead. Jackson finished the day with 69 yards on 14 carries.

Oklahoma State had one last opportunity, moving into the red zone on a trick-play halfback pass. But Daniel Cobbs read it perfectly and intercepted Trent Howland at the 5-yard line, delivering the final blow. Kansas State sealed the victory with five takeaways.

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