Kansas State 45-18 West Virginia (Oct. 19, 2024) Game Recap

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — — Avery Johnson threw three touchdown passes, Marques Sigle returned an interception for a touchdown and No. 17 Kansas State beat West Virginia 45-18 on Saturday night.

The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) are off to their best start since 2014.

Kansas State's DJ Giddens scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards. The Big 12 leader had a season-low 57 yards rushing. But Johnson dismantled West Virginia's injury-depleted secondary, finishing 19 of 29 for a career-high 298 yards.

Johnson escaped the grasp of West Virginia defensive lineman Sean Martin and threw an 11-yard pass to Ty Bowman on fourth down to keep alive a third-quarter drive that ended with Johnson hitting Garrett Oakley for a 16-yarder -Score hit.

On Kansas State's next series, Johnson and Giddens combined for a 53-yard pass to the West Virginia 1, and Johnson hit tight end Will Anciaux in the end zone for a 31-10 lead, sending Mountaineer fans flocking to the exits sent.

West Virginia (3-4, 2-2) lost its third home game and lost to a ranked opponent for the ninth straight time.

West Virginia's Garrett Greene threw two interceptions that led to touchdowns for the second straight week. Sigle stepped in front of a pass and returned it 43 yards, giving the Wildcats a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter.

Greene finished 9 of 19 for 85 yards and a touchdown along with the two interceptions. The Big 12's top rushing quarterback had 88 yards on the ground. But Greene, West Virginia running back Jahiem White and offensive lineman Wyatt Milum did not play in the second half. No reason was given in an announcement in the press box. West Virginia was limited to 63 total yards in the second half.

Backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol completed 6 of 13 yards and a touchdown in Greene's absence.

The takeaway food

Kansas State: The Wildcats adjusted on offense after West Virginia shut down Giddens from the start. Johnson, who also had a 60-yard TD pass to Jadon Jackson in blow coverage in the first quarter, had eight completions of at least 15 yards.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers are 34-33 under sixth-year coach Neal Brown. This may be the worst six-year stretch under a West Virginia coach since Gene Corum posted a 29-30 record from 1960-65.

Impact on the survey

Kansas State could move up a few spots in the AP Top 25 poll after the convincing win.

Next

Kansas State: Hosts Kansas next Saturday.

West Virginia: Plays at Arizona next Saturday.

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