Summary
- Kansas State won 35-24.
- The Wildcats extended their rivalry streak to 18 games.
- Joe Jackson and Avery Johnson both rushed for more than 130 yards.
The streak reaches 18
Kansas State defeated Kansas 35-24 in Manhattan, extending its winning streak in the rivalry to 18 games. The Wildcats improved to 4-2 and controlled the line of scrimmage for long stretches. Kansas scored first and remained competitive, but mistakes and inconsistent third-down execution prevented the Jayhawks from ending the series drought. [1] [2]
A dominant rushing performance
Joe Jackson ran for 159 yards, quarterback Avery Johnson added 132, and Rodney Fields contributed 66. Johnson also passed for 209 yards and a touchdown. Kansas State finished with 568 total yards and held the ball for more than 36 minutes, using the rushing attack to create sustained drives and limit Kansas possessions. [1] [2]
Room to improve despite victory
Kansas State left points on the field through failed fourth downs and drives that ended in field goals rather than touchdowns. The Wildcats still created enough margin and held Kansas to three conversions on 11 third downs. The result preserves rivalry control, but the missed chances matter as Kansas State prepares for opponents more capable of punishing empty possessions. [1] [2]
What to watch next
The result and statistics in this report were checked against the listed official or major-news coverage. Rankings, availability, kickoff times and roster roles can change after publication, so the next confirmed update should come from the league, competition or team. The immediate significance is based on the completed event, while any longer-term effect on standings or selection remains dependent on later results. Video clips and fan accounts can add context, but they do not replace the official score, disciplinary record or medical update. Any correction should be anchored to those primary records. [1] [2]
Reporting sources
- Bring on the Cats · Kansas State 35, Kansas 24 final ↗October 18, 2026
- ESPN · Kansas State 35-24 Kansas final score ↗October 17, 2026
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