KU Football vs Kansas State Wildcats Football Match Player Stats: A Comprehensive Breakdown

The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats tell the story of one of college football’s fiercest rivalries the Sunflower Showdown. As of April 9, 2025, with the 2024-2025 season winding down, this Big 12 clash remains a focal point for fans eager to dissect every yard, pass, and tackle. The most recent game on October 26, 2024, saw Kansas State edge out Kansas 29-27, extending their winning streak to 16 games. This dives deep into that game’s player stats, historical context, standout performers, and what it all means for the rivalry’s future all tailored to be your ultimate resource for understanding this matchup’s numbers.

The Sunflower Showdown: A Rivalry Defined by Stats

The KU Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats have battled since 1902, with their football series uninterrupted since 1911, making it the fourth-longest active streak in NCAA history. Kansas leads the all-time series 64-53-5 (or 65-52-5 if a 1980 KU forfeit isn’t counted), but K-State has dominated since 1993, holding a 28-4 edge, including that 16-game streak. The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats from October 26, 2024, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, offer a window into this lopsided modern chapter—yet also reveal KU’s fight to reclaim relevance.

The Game That Went Down to the Wire

The latest Sunflower Showdown was a thriller, with K-State’s 51-yard field goal by Chris Tennant with 1:42 left sealing a 29-27 victory. Played before a raucous homecoming crowd, the game showcased individual brilliance and team tenacity. Let’s break down the KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats from this nail-biter, sourced from ESPN, The Athletic, and KUAthletics.com.

Kansas Jayhawks Player Stats

Jalon Daniels (QB, Junior)

• Stats: 18-28 passing, 209 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 8 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD, 2 fumbles lost
• Highlight: Daniels kept KU in the game with a 7-yard rushing TD late in the third quarter, giving them a 27-23 lead. His dual-threat ability (275 total yards) shone, but two fumbles—one with 3:44 left—proved costly.
• Season Context: Averaging 17.8 PPG passing and 4.3 rushing, Daniels is KU’s heartbeat, though turnovers remain a concern.
• Devin Neal (RB, Senior)
• Stats: 13 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 13 yards
• Highlight: Neal’s 2-yard TD run in the third tied the game at 23-23, showcasing his knack for clutch moments (career 3,941 rushing yards).
• Season Context: With 1,000+ yards in 2024 (projected), Neal’s consistency anchors KU’s run game.
• Sevion Morrison (RB, Senior)
• Stats: 8 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Morrison’s 38-yard TD run in the first quarter gave KU an early 7-0 lead, setting an aggressive tone.
• Season Context: A depth piece at 4.8 YPC, he complements Neal effectively.
• Luke Grimm (WR, Senior)
• Stats: 5 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Grimm’s 11-yard TD catch in the second quarter cut K-State’s lead to 16-14 at halftime.
• Season Context: Averaging 12.3 yards per catch, Grimm is Daniels’ go-to target.
• Team Totals: 401 total yards (192 passing, 209 rushing), 44.6% third-down conversion (7-16), 2 turnovers lost.

Kansas State Wildcats Player Stats

• Avery Johnson (QB, Sophomore)
• Stats: 19-31 passing, 258 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 5 rushes, 12 yards
• Highlight: Johnson’s 24-yard TD pass to Will Anciaux tied the game at 7-7 in the second, and his 2-yard TD to Garrett Oakley made it 16-7. His 258 passing yards were a career high.
• Season Context: At 15.2 PPG passing and 3.8 rushing, Johnson’s growth fuels K-State’s offense.
• DJ Giddens (RB, Junior)
• Stats: 17 carries, 102 yards; 1 reception, 8 yards
• Highlight: Giddens’ steady 6.0 YPC kept drives alive, though he didn’t score.
• Season Context: With 1,200+ yards projected, Giddens is a Big 12 rushing leader.
• Will Anciaux (TE, Sophomore)
• Stats: 2 receptions, 29 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: His 24-yard TD catch sparked K-State’s comeback in the second quarter.
• Season Context: Emerging at 14.5 yards per catch, Anciaux is a red-zone threat.
• Garrett Oakley (TE, Freshman)
• Stats: 2 receptions, 12 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Oakley’s 2-yard TD in the second quarter gave K-State a 16-7 lead.
• Season Context: A rising star, he adds depth to K-State’s tight end corps.
• Chris Tennant (K, Senior)
• Stats: 3-3 FG (51, 28, 27 yards), 2-2 XP
• Highlight: Tennant’s 51-yarder with 1:42 left won the game, a clutch kick under pressure.
• Season Context: 85% FG accuracy makes him K-State’s unsung hero.
• Team Totals: 413 total yards (258 passing, 155 rushing), 50% third-down conversion (8-16), 1 turnover lost, 1 safety scored.
  

Game Recap: A Statistical Tale

The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats reveal a back-and-forth battle. KU struck first with Morrison’s 38-yard TD, but K-State answered with a 95-yard drive capped by Anciaux’s score. A safety off a KU blunder (Jameel Croft Jr. pinned at the 1-yard line) and Oakley’s TD pushed K-State to 16-7. Grimm’s TD made it 16-14 at halftime. The third quarter saw Neal and Daniels score to take a 27-23 lead, but K-State’s 28-yard FG and Daniels’ late fumble set up Tennant’s game-winner. K-State’s 413 yards edged KU’s 401, with third-down efficiency (50% vs 44.6%) and fewer turnovers (1 vs 2) proving decisive.

Historical Context: Stats Through the Years

The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats have shifted dramatically since K-State’s dominance began in 2009. In the 2010 blowout (59-7), K-State’s Daniel Thomas ran for 269 yards. KU’s last win in 2008 saw Jake Sharp rush for 181 yards and 4 TDs in a 52-21 rout. The 2023 game (31-27 K-State) featured Will Howard’s 165 passing yards and 2 TDs for K-State, countered by Daniels’ 298 total yards for KU. K-State’s edge often lies in rushing (e.g., Giddens’ 102 in 2024 vs Neal’s 66), while KU leans on Daniels’ versatility.

Standout Performers: Who Shines in the Showdown

• Jalon Daniels (KU): His 275 total yards in 2024 echo his 2023 performance, but turnovers (5 fumbles lost this season) haunt him against K-State’s opportunistic defense (e.g., Austin Romaine’s forced fumble).
• Avery Johnson (K-State): Stepping into Howard’s shoes, Johnson’s 258 passing yards signal a passing evolution, though his 12 rushing yards pale next to Daniels’ 66.
• DJ Giddens (K-State): His 102 yards continue K-State’s ground tradition, outpacing Neal’s 66 despite fewer carries.
• Chris Tennant (K-State): His 51-yard FG joins K-State kickers’ clutch legacy, like Brooks Barta’s 1998 game-winner.

Team Trends and Insights

Analyzing KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats reveals:

• Offensive Balance: K-State’s 258 passing vs 155 rushing yards in 2024 show a shift from their run-heavy past, while KU’s 209 rushing vs 192 passing leans on Daniels and Neal.
• Defense: K-State’s safety and fumble recovery highlight their knack for capitalizing on mistakes, unlike KU’s 1 INT forced.
• Clutch Plays: Tennant’s FG and KU’s late fumble underscore K-State’s edge in tight finishes (16-0 since 2009).

Season Context

As of April 9, 2025, K-State sits at 7-1 (4-1 Big 12) post-October 26, eyeing a conference title shot, while KU’s 2-6 (1-4) reflects a rebuilding year under Lance Leipold. The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats from 2024 highlight K-State’s depth (e.g., 8 players with catches) versus KU’s reliance on Daniels and Neal.

What’s Next for

The next clash, likely in Lawrence (per K-State’s 2025 schedule), could shift the stats:

• KU: If Daniels cuts turnovers (5.2% fumble rate), their 401-yard offense could break the streak.
• K-State: Johnson’s growth (65% completion rate) and Giddens’ consistency (6.2 YPC) might extend it to 17.

How to Use These Stats

• Fantasy/Betting: Daniels (yards+TDs), Giddens (rushing), and Tennant (points) are picks; bet K-State -7.5 if trends hold.
• Fandom: Watch on ESPN2 or stream via Sofascore for live stats next time.

Conclusion

The KU football vs Kansas State Wildcats football match player stats from October 26, 2024, encapsulate a rivalry where K-State’s precision (Tennant’s FG, Johnson’s 258 yards) narrowly outdueled KU’s grit (Daniels’ 275 yards, Neal’s TD). As of April 9, 2025, at 3:40 AM PDT, K-State’s 16-game streak looms large, but KU’s fight signals hope. From historical blowouts to modern thrillers, these stats—sourced from ESPN, KUAthletics, and The Athletic—offer fans a lens into the Sunflower Showdown’s past and future. Whether you’re a Jayhawk dreaming of an upset or a Wildcat celebrating dominance, this matchup’s numbers prove one thing: in Kansas, football rivalry runs deep.

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