Colorado was 3 minutes, 12 seconds, away from from a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
While Buffaloes fans might be thinking of the late-season loss to Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium that removed control of destiny from Deion Sanders’ team, the real loss that should haunt CU fans from 2024 is the one to Kansas State at Folsom Field last October.
Despite trailing 21-7 midway through the third quarter and despite Travis Hunter exiting the game in the first half with injury, the Buffs managed to rally and take a 28-24 lead with 3:12 left on the clock after a touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to LaJohntay Wester.
But it only took the Wildcats 51 seconds — and three plays — to go 84 yards and take the lead right back. And just like that, a 3-0 start to Big 12 play slipped through the fingers of Coach Prime’s team.
Kansas State wide receiver Jayce Brown (1) scores a touchdown after catching a pass in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
The Buffs will get their chance at revenge on Sat., Nov. 29 in the final week of the 2025 regular season. If CU is once again trying to remain perfect in conference play heading into the game, it’s sure to be a good one.
Here’s everything you need to know about K-State:
Offseason storylines
Quiet offseasons are the norm in the Little Apple.
Despite losing three of four to close the regular season and missing out on a chance to compete for a Big 12 title when looking like the conference’s top team in October, there was no panic from coach Chris Klieman, who won four FCS championships in five seasons in charge at North Dakota State before taking over the Wildcats in 2019.
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman walks on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall
They were smart in the transfer portal, bringing in the third-best class in the Big 12, per On3, and didn’t lose any major contributors to other programs.
K-State is also one of five Big 12 teams that ranks inside ESPN’s list of returning production across all of college football. The Wildcats did lose a trio of players to the NFL draft, but this is a group that is once again expected to compete for a conference title as a consensus top four team in preseason rankings.
On offense
The biggest reason for optimism in Manhattan remains the superstar potential of quarterback Avery Johnson. The Wichita native’s first full season as a starter featured plenty of highs and some lows, too. When he was at his best, so was the K-State offense, who scored over 37 points per game in the team’s nine wins. Conversely, they averaged under 16 points per game in the four losses.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson during the Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Your daily report on everything sports in Colorado – covering the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and columns from Woody Paige and Paul Klee.
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Johnson finished with over 2,700 passing yards and 32 total touchdowns to 10 interceptions in his sophomore season. His only receiving target who registered over 400 yards last season is back in slot receiver Jayce Brown and he’s also got three intriguing transfers in the mix now, too, in Jerrand Bradley (Boston College), Caleb Medford (New Mexico) and Jaron Tibbs (Purdue).
The identity for K-State in 2024 was on the ground, however, as the offense ranked second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game. That was in large part due to DJ Giddens, second-team All-Big 12 running back who racked up over 1,300 yards last season. Part of that rushing load will fall on Johnson, who was second on the team in yards on the ground with 605, with the rest likely going to Dylan Edwards, the former Buff who is set to inherit a pretty big role in the Wildcats offense.
All of the success — both passing and rushing — will likely depend on the newcomers up front. K-State lost three starters on the offensive line in the offseason and it will be a mix of backups from last season and high-major transfers to try and fill those spots.
On defense
Solid defensive units have been a staple of coordinator Joe Klanderman during his time with the Wildcats after coming with Klieman from North Dakota State six years ago now. He loses a pair of players in the secondary to the NFL in safety Marcus Sigle and cornerback Jacob Parrish, as well as sack leader Brendan Mott, but returns plenty of production at all three levels.
It starts up front with Cody Stufflebean and Chiddi Obiazor at defensive end and continues with linebacker and leading tackler Austin Romaine, as well as All-Big 12 safety VJ Payne, who had two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2024.
Kansas State safety VJ Payne (19) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
The two biggest additions out of the portal also came on defense as former four-star recruit out of the Kansas City area comes back home after spending one year at Alabama and linebacker Gabe Powers comes in from Ohio State.
The Kansas State Wildcats file
2024 record: 9-4 (5-4 Big 12)
Head coach: Chris Klieman (7th season, 48-28 record)
Offensive coordinator: Matt Wells (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator: Joe Klanderman (7th season at K-State, 6th as DC)
Key returners: QB Avery Johnson, RB Dylan Edwards, TE Garrett Oakley, OL Sam Hecht, DE Chiddi Obiazor, DE Cody Stufflebean, LB Austin Romaine, S VJ Payne
Key newcomers: WR Jerand Bradley, WR Jaron Tibbs, OT George Fitzpatrick, OL JB Nelson, DE Jayshawn Ross, LB Gabe Powers, S Gunner Maldonado