NORMAN, Okla. — In the early going, it looked like history might repeat itself for Kansas State a year after an embarrassing 55-0 loss to Oklahoma.
This time around, K-State fought back, but it wasn’t enough to earn a third straight win in Norman.
The 19th-ranked Sooners jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead before cruising to a 38-17 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
K-State quarterback Jesse Ertz was injured in the second quarter. He returned for the first play of the second half before leaving the game again, this time for good. His status is unknown.
Ertz led the Wildcat offense on a 17-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that took 8:32 off the clock and got K-State within 14-7. They would keep the deficit within reasonable grasp until the fourth quarter, but never got any closer.
Joe Hubener replaced Ertz and completed 12 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
OU quarterback Baker Mayfield was sharp all day, tossing four touchdown passes. For a second straight week, K-State’s defense was improved in the second half, but Mayfield connected with Dede Westbrook for an 88-yard, game-icing score with 6:31 to play.
K-State (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) was held to 110 yards rushing in the game, and Justin Silmon led all Wildcat running backs with 35 yards on six carries after not playing against Texas Tech last week.
The Sooners (4-2, 3-0) led 24-10 at halftime.
Texas visits Manhattan next week for K-State’s homecoming game. The Wildcats have not lost to the Longhorns at home since 2002.
