MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Avery Johnson threw for 227 yards on 21-of-28 passing and rushed for 152 yards and two scores as Kansas State defeated Tulane 31-20 on Saturday.
Kansas State allowed its first offensive touchdown of the season with 7:55 remaining in the first quarter. It marked the first time this season the Wildcats have trailed.
K-State then reeled off the next 17 points. Following a Luis Rodriguez field goal, the Wildcats pulled ahead on a 1-yard run by Jay Harris. Johnson then scored from the 7-yard line, set up by his career-long, 66-yard run.
Tulane closed the first-half scoring with a 58-yard field goal by Cooper Helmke.
The Wildcats took the second-half kickoff 75 yards over eight minutes to grab a 24-10 lead on a 1-yard run by Harris and the lead was never back to single-digits.
Jaron Tibbs made nine catches for 114 yards to lead K-State (3-0). Both of Harris' rushes were for touchdowns.
Kadin Semonza was 13 of 26 for 165 yards and a touchdown for Tulane (1-2), which was held to 260 total yards.
The takeaway
Tulane: Despite the loss, Tulane still owns the most road victories (19) in FBS since the start of 2022.
Kansas State: The Wildcats continue to lean on a balanced offensive attack. They gained 227 yards through the air and 201 on the ground.
Up next
Tulane: Completes its non-conference season with a home game against Southern Mississippi next Saturday.
Kansas State: Opens Big 12 play at Cincinnati next Saturday.