It took a mixture of expected and unexpected faces working together in Waco, Texas, for Kansas State to finally learn how to close a tight game Saturday.
The result, a 42-21 victory at Baylor, has Wildcat head coach Bill Snyder on the verge of history.
Alex Barnes rushed for four touchdowns, Donnie Starks recorded the first two interceptions of his career and K-State ended a four-game losing streak to the Bears Saturday at McLane Stadium. The Wildcats also secured bowl eligibility for a seventh-straight season.
K-State (6-4, 4-3 Big 12) overcame a lackluster first half on offense with a 21-point outburst in the third quarter, led by Barnes’ powerful rushing attack. The quarter turned a seven-point deficit into a two-touchdown lead, and K-State’s three second-half interceptions helped to keep the Bears at bay the rest of the way.
Barnes rushed for 129 yards and 120 in the second half alone. All four of his scores came in the second half. He is the first freshman running back in program history to score four times in a game.
Baylor (6-4, 3-4) made one legitimate comeback effort down the stretch. Bears quarterback Zach Smith completed a 19-yard touchdown strike on third and goal to get BU within 28-21 with 7:28 to play.
On the ensuing kickoff, D.J. Reed, who does not normally return kicks, broke loose to the Baylor 23. Winston Dimel scored his second touchdown three plays later to restore the 14-point lead.
Wildcat quarterback Jesse Ertz finished the afternoon 177 yards passing and 46 yards on the ground. The defense, meanwhile, held BU to just 368 yards of offense while forcing four turnovers.
The win is No. 199 in Snyder’s career, bringing him one short of milestone 200. He will have the opportunity to reach that mark next week against Kansas on Senior Day at the stadium that bares his name.
