Stunner in Norman
Wildcats come roaring back from down 21 late in 3rd to top Sooners
NORMAN, Okla. — Skylar Thompson passed for 334 yards and ran for three touchdowns, and Kansas State rallied from 21 points down to beat No. 3 Oklahoma 38-35 on Saturday.
Freshman Deuce Vaughn caught four passes for 129 yards and ran for a touchdown for the Wildcats, who were coming off a season-opening loss to Arkansas State.
It was Kansas State’s first-ever road win against a top-three team in the AP poll.
Oklahoma freshman Spencer Rattler passed for 387 yards and four touchdowns, but he threw three interceptions.
Kansas State upset Oklahoma 48-41 in Manhattan, Kansas, last year.
Kansas State said earlier in the week it was struggling to have enough players available at all position groups to play the game because ofCOVID-19.
In the opening moments of the second quarter, Rattler threw into traffic and found Drake Stoops for a 32-yard touchdown.
It was the first career touchdown for the son of former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, and it gave the Sooners a 14-0 lead.
Thompson’s 39-yard touchdown pass to Chabastin Taylor in the second quarter cut Oklahoma’s lead to 14-7, but the Sooners answered with Marvin Mims’ 9-yard touchdown reception in the final minute of the first half.
Rattler’s 53-yard pass to Stoops led to SethMcGowan’s 5-yardtouchdownrun and a 35-14late in the third quarter.
Two short rushing touchdownsby Thompson got theWildcats back in the game.
Kansas State’s Nick Allen blocked
Reeves Mundschau’s punt, and the Wildcats took over at the Oklahoma 38.
Vaughn’s 38-yard touchdown run on the Wildcats’ second offensive play and the extra point tied it at 35 with 8:17 to play.
Kansas State’s Blake Lynch hit a 50-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining.
Kansas State’s JahronMcPherson intercepted Rattler in the final minute to help close out the win. THETAKEAWAY Kansas State: The Wildcats didn’t foldwhenthey fell behind and the defense improved in the second half against Rattler.
Oklahoma: The defense fell apart muchlike it hasmany times inrecent years.
UPNEXT
Kansas State: Hosts Texas Tech
on Saturday.
Oklahoma: Travels to Iowa State on Saturday. The Cyclones beat the Sooners three years ago and nearly upset them last year before falling 42-41.