MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State gave up a touchdown on the opening possession then shut down Oklahoma State’s offense for a 48-14 victory to keep the lead in the Big 12 Conference race.
The 11th-ranked Wildcats controlled every aspect of the game in front of 53,743 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It was the second-largest crowd in school history and the 19th straight sellout.
The Wildcats (7-1, 5-0 Big 12) head to Fort Worth, Texas next Saturday for a showdown with TCU, who sits one game behind in the conference standings.
Oklahoma State (5-4, 3-3) had chances to get back into the game, but kept stalling. Quarterback Daxx Garman was sacked four times and the Cowboys managed only 261 yards of total offense.
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett had six receptions for 94 yards and continued to move up the career receiving lists in school history. He caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Waters for his 23rd career reception, tying him for second all-time in school history with Quincy Morgan and putting him three behind his father Kevin Lockett (1993 to 1996).
During the 75-yard drive which gave Kansas State a 28-7 lead, Lockett also passed Jordy Nelson for second place on the all-time receiving yards list in school history with 2,877 yards.
Waters completed 19-of-28 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats added a 37-yard field goal by Matthew McCrane to build a 31-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Kansas State extended its lead to 38-7 after Dakorey Johnson stripped Oklahoma State wide receiver Brandon Shepherd. Three plays after Jonathan Truman recovered and returned it to the Cowboys’ 37, the Wildcats scored.
The Wildcats scored again when backup quarterback Joe Hubener hit receiver Curry Sexton for a 64-yard pass then scored on a 1-yard plunge on the next play for a 45-7 lead.
Oklahoma State’s Ramon Richards raced 37 yards with a pick-six to give the Cowboys their final points.
The Cowboys grabbed the quick lead with an eight-play, 84-yard drive on their opening possession. Garman found running back Tyreek Hill at nearly every opportunity, including a two-yard TD.
Kansas State answered even more quickly, as Morgan Burns had an 86-yard kickoff returned. It marked the 10th straight year that Kansas State has had a kickoff return for a touchdown, the longest-active streak in the FBS.
After safety Dante Barnett picked off Garman on fourth down in K-State territory, the Wildcats responded with a 10-play, 73-yard drive to grab a 14-7 lead.
Following an Oklahoma State punt, the Wildcats responded with another 10-play drive, this one 69 yards, and took a 21-7 lead on a 17-yard TD by wide receiver Curry Sexton.
NOTES: Oklahoma State owned a 37-23 all-time record in the series, but K-State coach Bill Snyder was 10-5 all-time against Oklahoma State prior to the game. The teams have split the first 10 games in the history of the Big 12, but the Cowboys had won five of the last six contests. … Entering Saturday, Snyder was 51-18 in November. … Since 2009, Oklahoma State is 16-7 in Big 12 road games, including 5-2 in its last seven road contests.