 "Photo: Matt Binter")
The K-State Wildcats won the 107th Sunflower Showdown 17-10 Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak to the Kansas Jayhawks.
K-State (6-4, 4-2 Big 12 Conference) was led by junior running back Daniel Thomas, who rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown and averaged more than seven yards per carry in the game, roughing up the Jayhawk defense. Grant Gregory struggled through most of the day, completing just seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
The Jayhawks finished with only 60 rushing yards and two fumbles. Kansas senior quarterback Todd Reesing struggled through another game a week after being benched in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech. Reesing finished with 241 passing yards, but threw an interception and only one touchdown. He was also responsible for both of KU’s fumbles.
On the opening kickoff, safety Darrell Stuckey had a 67-yard return that almost went for a touchdown. However, from there the Jayhawks slowed down. The Wildcat defense was able to put the brakes on the drive and force a 30-yard Jacob Branstetter field goal that sailed wide right, the first of two key misses on the day.
Taking over at their own 20-yard line, the Wildcats had early success running the ball with Thomas, but could not find the scoreboard. Neither team scored in the first quarter in what proved to be a defensive game.
Right before halftime, with a 7-3 lead, KU started at its own 22-yard line with two minutes to play and three timeouts left. A scramble by Reesing resulted in another fumble with K-State recovering at the Kansas 47-yard line with 0:36 left on the clock. The drive consisted of only passes to Lamark Brown, with three receptions, 43 yards and a touchdown. The drive was capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brown, giving the Wildcats the 10-7 lead going into the break.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Wildcats marched down the field 84 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to 17-7. The Wildcat defense held the Jayhawks to just three points in the second half, with the Branstetter field goal coming with 5:20 left in the fourth quarter. The Jayhawks kicked off and did not touch the ball again the rest of the game. Thomas and the rushing game ran out the clock, picking up key first downs and moving down the field.
Up next for the Wildcats is the final home game of the season against the Missouri Tigers next Saturday, with the kickoff slated for 11:30 a.m.
