Oct 26, 2025
3 min read
Seventeen and hope!Since that impressive winning streak began in 2009, Kansas State is the first to win the Sunflower War.
Kansas State University Athletics
The Wildcats dominated the Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown, 42-17
October 25, 2025 | Football
Manhattan, Kan. - Seventeen past ten!
Kansas State entered the Sunflower Showdown as the underdog for the first time since this remarkable winning streak began in 2009, but the Wildcats emphatically showed that it was the same 'ol, same 'ol in a series that they have dominated for nearly two decades, racing past Kansas, 42-17, for a 17th straight win over their rival — and keeping the coveted Governor's Cup Trophy in Manhattan for another year.
On the dream and the cold on the day of Lawrence - not kussas - at the same time will always explain the announcement of past victories.When people went to get out of the bathroom, but the k-State players and coaches got to the players' screen.
K-State, which improved to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12 Conference, answered its objections.Kansas dropped to 4-4 and 2-3.
With its 17th win over Kansas, K-State now owns the longest unbroken streak in the FBS.Georgia has a 16-game hitting streak at Kentucky.
"Our guys were extremely focused this week," K-State head coach Chris Klieman said."They know everything about this streak. Our guys could sense that this was the year for sure, and that fired up a lot of our older kids from Kansas. I told them, this week you just have to prepare. You can't worry about Saturday. It's going to get here. If we do the things we need to do, I feel like we're going to play really well.
"These men were out and about."
After starting the campaign No. 1, K-State suffered a 13-game losing streak on October 4 in a one-homer shutout.
Bye-bye to K-State and Kansas, leaving multiples, many believed the sunflower matchup was nail-biting.After all, K-State was part of only one team of only three powerhouses.Also, the last two K-State/Kansas battles have been particularly close.Two years ago, K-State defeated Kansas 31-27 in Lawrence and last season K-State defeated K-State Kansas 29-27.
This time it didn't happen in front of 41,525 at Memorial Stadium.
K-State is happy to say that it was against a very good team.
"The last four games we've had some success finding our identity and focusing on KU and we've done a really good job of that heading into the off week," said K-State quarterback Avery Johnson, who completed 11-of-17 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns and had eight carries for 17 yards and two scores."It showed today. The guys came out fired up and ready to play. It was a very big win for our seniors to get."
K-State held off Harth 21-14 over Valdison and swept Tansa 21-3.
K-State has now outscored Kansas 680-279 during its winning streak.
Kansas outgained Kansas 371-247 in total yardage, the Jayhawks 231-13 in yardage and 140-1 in rushing yards.K-State averages 7.0 bp per game.Kansas 3.2.Years also collected four sacks on Jalon Daniels, who went 17-3 for 129 yards and one interception.The FBs entering the game were not happy with the WildCateels defense, which was sent on a four-and-two when it was thrown from behind while denying the tailback.
K-State forced 4 fumbles.Froble Brobledies by Ralph Ortiz and Malcolm alcorn acorn grover Two interceptions by Daniel Cobbs and Gunner Maldonado.K-State has now been in 17 games this season, 12th nationally in that category.
"We stopped him," said K-State defensive end Desmond Purnell, who had a team-high nine tackles."The defense got after him. We didn't let him make explosive plays. We know he's a great player and he's got the ball in his hands. I'm glad we kept him."
In a game that featured a stellar performance, K-State Sophomore Wide receiver Jayce Brown may have shined.He had four catches for 160 yards and a touchdown for a k-state player since byron at Oklahoma State in Oklahoma State and opened TouchDown as the longest game since Howard.The Divas' 80-yard pass in 2020 was longer than their 80-yard pass in 2018.
A better time could not come for maintenance.
K-State swept the field.Johnson converted a fourth-and-1 to bring the ball to the Kansas 33.Three plays later, Johnson rolled to his right and threw across his body, finding Brown in front of Mason Ellis near the goal line.DeVon Rice hit him in the end zone with 7:23 left in the third quarter for a 28-14 lead.
However, both teams had a hard time moving the ball after this score.Kansas cut K-State's lead to 11 points on a 47-yard field goal by Laith Marjan to make it 28-17, making for some awkward moments.Would the Wildcats answer?
Yes, they do.
Johnson and Brown set to work.On the first play from scrimmage, Johnson went to the ground and Brown, covered by the press, took the ball long at the 43-yard line and outran redshirt freshman Austin Alexander at the sideline for a 78-yard catch-and-run touchdown for a 35-17 lead with 63 seconds left in the third quarter.
"It's the dagger," Johnson said."Coach Mats and I at TOP probably had the same thing going through our minds right now. They gave us a high-level look, and I told you in the air and he'll do his thing after that."
"When we scored that goal, we didn't have much of a lead, but I felt like we had them at that point."
Brown said he has battled injuries, which made the game even more meaningful to him.
"That's a great ball," Brown said."It's a blessing. I was fighting a little injury
To begin with, this game looked like it was going to be a showdown.
The game got off to an inauspicious start for K-State, as Bryce Noernberg took the kickoff at the 2-yard line, ran downfield, and fumbled when Jalen Dye hit K-State 25 minutes into the game.
"That was the only momentum I thought we gave up all day," Kliman said.
On the next drive, K-State returned Johnson's lead in the woods and went on a 5-yard, 80-yard drive.
After defending the K Kuna Diagy put the ball aside and the staff of the K-Salif Oriz, they took the ball, and all the raya 209 that the wild chard did not sound 14-7.
"I was really confident we could block the punt for a touchdown," Clayman said. "I told the refs after the first down, we were coming and they were all coming.They misjudged the snap and we had no chance, but that was the turning point for us."
Next up is some more K-State information.This time, Purnell jumped into the defensive end on a blitz and Daniels spun and the ball slipped out of the hands of the Kansas defender.Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder fumbled for a loose ball at the K-State 42, capping a 10-play, 37-yard drive by the Jayhawks.Completed.
K-State was unable to capitalize, but its defense again held serve, forcing Daniels, one of the most efficient passers in the FBS, to throw incompletions.
Meanwhile, Johnson had little trouble finishing throws, including a 27-yard pass to Jaron Tibbs over the middle for a 21-7 lead with 12 seconds left in the first quarter.
Neither team scored in the second quarter until Kansas returned to the Daniel 3-yard line to make it 21-14 with 30 seconds left in the half.
On an 18-play, 85-yard drive, Daniels converted a third of the year against K-State after K-State's touchdown.
K-STATE entered the lead locker room.
And it just keeps growing.
"All I want to do is go out and win," Purnell said. "We definitely won — and then some."
The trophy will remain in Manhattan for another year.
"We have the knowledge that we have made the net, we have a good football team," I have a nice football team."I have a nice football team.
— What had to be done.
KSU 0, Kan 7
Particles - Daniels, Jalon 6-yard run (Marjan, Lath Kick), 5 possessions, 252:00
KSU 7, KAN 7
KSU - Johnson, Avery 2 yd run (Rodriguez, Luis kick), 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:56
KSU 14, Kan 7
KSU - Ortz, Ralph 20 U.R.D.
KSU 21, KAN 7
KSU - Tibbs, Jaron pass 27 yards from Johnson, Avery (Rodriguez, Luis Keck) 5 plays, 72 yards, TOP 02:15
KSU 21, Kan 14
KAN - Hinshaw Jr., Daniel 3-yard run (Marjan, Lasith kick), 18 plays, 85 yards, TOP 8:34
Ksu 28, Kan 14
Ksu - Rice, Deuon 1 YD run (Rodriguez, Luis Gui), 7 plays, 42 yards, up 03:47
KSU 28, Khan 17
KAN - Marjan, Laith kick 47 yards, 12 plays, 45 yards, TOP 06:02
KSU 35, Kan 17
KSA-wet، Jay 228 YD Tach from Johnson, Every Piching 40:31:13:13:13
KSU 42, KAN 17
KSU - Johnson, Avery 3-yard run (Rodriguez, Lewis kick), 10 plays, 30 yards, 06:16
