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Takeaways from Kansas State’s miraculous 44-41 comeback win over Rutgers in Rate Bowl

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) celebrates a touchdown with teammates against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX – While the Wildcats seemed to be down and out, Kansas State overcame adversity and pulled off a resilient 44-41 comeback win over Rutgers in a high-scoring shootout.

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Becoming the hero, Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards scored a game-winning, 36-yard touchdown to secure the victory for the Wildcats. Avery Johnson completed 15-of-30 passes for 195 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Though his team suffered an implosion, Antwan Raymond scored three touchdowns and rushed for 113 yards from 18 carries for Rutgers. Athan Kaliakmanis compiled 237 yards, one touchdown and one pick from 14-of-32 passing.

Here are the key takeaways from Kansas State outlasting Rutgers to win the Rate Bowl:

-Both teams were without their star running backs who have opted to prepare for the NFL instead. Sitting out, Kyle Monangai (Rutgers) stacked up 1,279 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns from 256 carries while DJ Giddens (Kansas State) accumulated 205 carries for 1,343 rushing yards and had eight total touchdowns this season.

-With Monangai on the sidelines but not suiting up, Antwan Raymond picked Kansas State’s defense apart. Bursting down the field with his speed and elusiveness, the Canadian rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns from 18 carries.

-While losing Giddens was a major blow to K-State’s offense, that didn’t stop Chris Klieman’s offense from rushing heavily. Demonstrating that the Wildcats are in good hands next year, sophomore Edwards went head-to-head with Raymond and had three total touchdowns, 196 rushing yards and 18 carries.

-Impressing all season in the Big 12, Johnson’s dual-threat capability was on full display in Arizona. Rushing immediately after a quick snap, Johnson scrambled for 57 yards and a touchdown off 11 carries. He threw for 2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns from 202-of-342 (59.1%) coming into the bowl game.

-The last Rate Bowl between Kansas and UNLV combined for 85 points in the high-scoring game last bowl season, and it turned out to be another offensive onslaught at Chase Field once again. Seeing their in-state rival winning 49-36 a year ago, Kansas State won the game and exactly 85 points were scored in total.

-Rotating with Raymond, Ja’Shon Benjamin offered Rutgers with another rushing threat. Benjamin took the ball to the house for two touchdowns, gathering 40 yards from seven carries and one reception.

-Totaling 102 all-purpose yards, K-State wide receiver Jayce Brown did his damage by both rushing and receiving. A target the Scarlet Knights needed to keep an eye on, the Florida native amassed 60 yards from five catches and an additional 42 yards from three attacks.

-Coming up a crucial interception, Robert Longerbeam intercepted a pass by Johnson and ran the other way for 15 yards. With the game going back and forth, Longerbeam put a stop to Kansas State from answering right back when down 24-17. The pick set up Jai Patel for a 48-yard field goal and a 27-17 halftime lead for Rutgers.

-Illustrating how this was setting up to be a shootout, each team punted just once and produced 577 yards of offense before halftime. Raymond rushed for 104 yards in the first two quarters alone.

-After a high-scoring first half, the third quarter got off to a slow start with Kansas State trailing 34-17. Blowing past multiple Rutgers defenders, Edwards busted down the field for a massive 65-yard score. Garrett Oakley then caught a 13-yard pass into the end zone for a 34-29 score and could have been down by three, but the Wildcats went for two-point conversions twice and failed.

-When K-State was within striking distance, Raymond put a brief stop to those efforts and extended Rutgers’ lead to 41-29. Faking a tush push at the one-yard line, the Rutgers offensive line masked Raymond who had the ball and swiftly jogged to his left for a touchdown.

-Going under the radar, Ian Strong picked up five receptions for 105 yards for the Scarlet Knights. Having a breakout game, the sophomore wide receiver Strong only registered 571 yards from 38 catches before this matchup.

-Putting his team on his back, Edwards found a pocket of space and darted for a 36-yard touchdown, pulling off a miraculous comeback 44-41 late in the fourth quarter.

-For the fans that enjoy offense, there were 943 yards combined from both teams. Kansas State had 347 rushing and 195 passing yards for 542 as a whole. Rutgers, meanwhile, passed for 237 and for 164 yards, equaling 401.

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas State thrilled to cap off season by playing in Rate Bowl

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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini

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