Manhattan, Kan. – A windy night ends in a “winny” night for K-State. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, K-State came from behind to win 27-17 over the Iowa State Cyclones in Farmageddon.
K-State’s scoring started with a bang after receiving the opening kick, freshman Josh Youngblood returned his third kick of the season, and third in the last four games for the early lead. Youngblood’s three returns combined with Malik Knowles touchdown against Mississippi State tied the K-State single season team record for kickoff returns at four. It was the first such instance where two different players teamed up for the feat. 2009 Brandon Banks returned all four and in 2015 Morgan Burns was responsible for the returns.
The game began to settle down with K-State starting in poor field position all first half. A drive that started at the K-State two yard-line finished in the endzone off the legs of freshman Jacardia Wright. In the drive, Skylar Thompson ran 12 yards for a first down and got 15 extra after a late hit by the Cyclones.
Iowa State’s offense found their groove late in the first half, with a 15 yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy and a touchdown run from freshman and Wichita native Breece Hall.
The Clones took command in the third quarter getting the first score of the second half with a Connor Assalley field goal, also getting help from back to back Skylar Thompson turnovers.
Thompson and the offense settled down enough late to tie things with a 43 yard Blake Lynch field goal into the heavy gusting wind of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
After more stops from the K-State defense, Jordon Brown ran 15 yards for a touchdown with 10:24 to play and Lynch put the finishing touches on the win with a 27 yard field goal in the final three minutes.
Iowa State’s last effort was put to an end at the K-State 40 yard line after two pass breakups by Jonathan Alexander and one from Elijah Sullivan.
For K-State, they end the season at 8-4, making Chris Klieman the winningest first year head coach in K-State history and also giving him the most wins out of the four new coaches in the Big 12 between Neal Brown (5-7), Matt Wells (4-8) and Les Miles (3-9).
It also puts the Wildcats in a four-way tie for third place in the Big 12. K-State finishes six spots higher than the preseason pick of ninth place.
Box Score
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL |
| #23 Iowa St | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| K-State | 7 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
Passing Leaders:
K-State: Skylar Thompson-5/12, 57 yards, 1 INT
Iowa St: Brock Purdy-15/30, 185 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Leaders:
K-State: Jordon Brown-19 ATT, 91 yards, 1 TD
Iowa St: Breece Hall-18 ATT, 59 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Leaders:
K-State: Chabastian Taylor-1 REC, 22 yards
Iowa St: Tarique Milton-4 REC, 78 yards
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
14:47 – Josh Youngblood 93 yard kickoff return touchdown (Lynch) KSU 7 ISU 0
2nd Quarter
13:28 – Jacardia Wright 12 yard rushing touchdown (Lynch) KSU 14 ISU 0
5:59 – Sean Shaw 15 yard receiving touchdown from Brock Purdy (Assalley) KSU 14 ISU 7
0:42 – Breece Hall 1 yard rushing touchdown (Assalley) KSU 14 ISU 14
3rd Quarter
6:49 – Connor Assalley 36 yard field goal KSU 14 ISU 17
1:31 – Blake Lynch 43 yard field goal KSU 17 ISU 17
4th Quarter
10:24 – Jordon Brown 15 yard rushing touchdown (Lynch) KSU 24 ISU 17
3:04 – Blake Lynch 27 yard field goal KSU 27 ISU 17
Final Big 12 Standings
| 1 | Oklahoma Sooners | 8-1 | 11-1 |
| 1 | Baylor Bears | 8-1 | 11-1 |
| 3 | K-State Wildcats | 5-4 | 8-4 |
| 3 | Oklahoma State Cowboys | 5-4 | 8-4 |
| 3 | Iowa State Cyclones | 5-4 | 7-5 |
| 3 | Texas Longhorns | 5-4 | 7-5 |
| 7 | West Virginia Mountaineers | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| 7 | TCU Horned Frogs | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| 9 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| 10 | Kansas Jayhawks | 1-8 | 3-9 |
Big 12 Bowl Selection Order
*After College Football Playoff/New Year’s Six Bowls Selection, Big 12 Champ will qualify for New Year’s Six
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