LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw for 231 yards while accounting for four touchdowns, Kansas State returned a fumble 20 yards for another score, and the Wildcats routed Kansas 42-17 on Saturday for their 17th consecutive victory in the Sunflower Showdown.
Johnson ran for two TDs and threw for two more, including a 78-yard strike to Jayce Brown, who finished with four catches for 160 yards. Joe Jackson added 69 yards on the ground, helping the Wildcats
(4-4, 3-2 Big 12) to run out the clock late.
Kansas State made life especially miserable on a cold, wet day for Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was 17 of 35 for 129 yards with an interception. Daniels did have a touchdown run, while Daniel Hishaw Jr. ran for 67 yards and a score.
The Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3) still have not beaten their rival down Interstate 70 since Nov. 1, 2008 — seven head coaches ago.
The opening half Saturday was an exercise in polar-opposite quarters.
The first was downright crazy: Kansas State fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a quick touchdown by Kansas. Then the Wildcats answered with a long touchdown drive, held the Jayhawks, then scooped up a poor snap on the punt and returned it for another score, giving coach Chris Klieman's bunch a 21-7 advantage.
The second quarter was downright boring: Kansas took over midway through it and embarked on an 18-play, 85-yard drive in which it converted four third downs and soaked up more than 8 1/2 minutes. By the time Daniel Hishaw barreled into the end zone to make it 21-14, the Wildcats had enough time to run just one play before the break.
As so often happens in this rivalry, the good feelings for Kansas didn't last.
The Jayhawks went three-and-out on their opening two series of the second half, and Kansas State capitalized on an interception of Daniels to extend the lead on DeVon Rice's touchdown plunge midway through the third quarter.
The decisive blow came moments later, after Kansas had settled for a field goal to make it 28-17. On the Wildcats' next play from scrimmage, Johnson found Brown in stride down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown reception.
Kansas turned over on downs on its next two possessions, allowing the Wildcats to begin their celebration early.
Kansas State showed remarkable poise after fumbling the game's opening kickoff. That hasn't always been the case this season, especially when games have been tight. Each of its four losses has been by six points or fewer.
Kansas had been averaging 418.3 yards and 32.4 points per game. It finished with 247 yards of offense against the Wildcats.
Kansas State plays No. 14 Texas Tech next Saturday.
Kansas plays Oklahoma State the same day.
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