A dominant Kansas State defense set the tone Saturday, and Avery Johnson supplied the offense as the Wildcats rolled past Washington State 34-7 in Manhattan, Kan.
Kansas State has still not surrendered an offensive touchdown through two games. The only Cougar score came the wrong way for the Wildcats, when Jaylen Thomas picked off Johnson and returned it 47 yards just before halftime to finish the half.
Johnson finished 22 of 34 for 192 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 78 yards. Rodney Fields Jr. delivered the game’s biggest punch on the ground, breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown run and finishing with 105 yards on 13 carries.
Josh Manning, Joe Jackson and Brandon White each caught a touchdown for Kansas State (2-0). Manning was the busiest target, hauling in 10 passes for 97 yards.
“I feel like just getting that first catch, just seeing that through made it a lot easier from there,” Manning said.
Fields set the tone on the first drive of the second half with his long scoring burst, and Kansas State never let Washington State get comfortable. The Wildcats piled up 295 rushing yards to the Cougars’ 101.
“He is really good,” Manning said about Fields. “It was amazing.”
Washington State (0-2) struggled again on offense after managing only 10 points against Washington a week earlier. Caden Pinnick went 9 of 20 for 65 yards, and Kirby Vorhees led the Cougars on the ground with 45 yards.
“Give K-State a lot of credit, a really sound football team and everyone’s got to take ownership on this,” Washington State coach Kirby Moore said. “Obviously wasn’t good enough on offense or in the kicking game and that starts with me.”
Kansas State’s defense also kept turning up the heat. Wendell Gregory posted five tackles and two sacks, and the Wildcats have allowed just three points over 120 minutes this season.
“Absolute domination, we knew they were a hard running team, good quarterback, good running back, good team and a good O-line,” Gregory said. “I feel like we wanted it more so we just came out there and ate, do what dudes do and got it done.”
The game was delayed for almost an hour because of lightning after halftime, but Kansas State came out of the break and kept control.
“We were able to capitalize,” Kansas State coach Collin Klein said. “You could tell in the locker room, their hair was up a little bit which is really, really good,”
Washington State will play its home opener next Saturday against Duquesne. Kansas State hosts Tulane the same day.
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