BOULDER, Colo. — Avery Johnson rebounded from throwing a costly interception by finding Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:14 remaining as No. 18 Kansas State beat Colorado 31-28 on Saturday night.
The dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) finished with a rushing score and two passing TDs, both to Brown.
Leading 21-7 in the third quarter, the Wildcats saw the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) steadily chip away. Colorado took the lead when Shedeur Sanders threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester with 3:12 left.
The score was set up when Johnson’s tipped pass resulted in a 59-yard interception return from cornerback Colton Hood, who was filling in after two-way star Travis Hunter left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.
Johnson needed only three plays to help Kansas State retake the lead. The Wildcats defense stopped the Buffaloes on downs to cement the win.
It was nearly the second straight magical comeback at Folsom Field for the Buffaloes. They beat Baylor last month in overtime after tying it up on a Hail Mary pass with no time left in regulation.
DJ Giddens finished with 182 yards to become the first tailback this season to break 100 against the Buffaloes.
For Wildcats tailback Dylan Edwards, it was a successful return to Folsom Field. He was a true freshman with the Buffaloes last season before transferring to Kansas State. Edwards had a 1-yard TD run.
The Buffaloes' three-game winning streak came to a halt. More concerning, the health of Hunter, who appeared to hurt his shoulder catching a Shedeur Sanders’ pass and running full speed into safety Daniel Cobbs in the second quarter.
Hunter is a Heisman hopeful for his play as a cornerback and receiver. Before leaving, he showed off his blocking skills by picking a defender and allowing Wester to score on a 25-yard pass.
Before the interception and the comeback, Johnson was having all sorts of fun on the field. He broke out the “Deion Shuffle” after a score and with Colorado coach Deion Sanders on the other sideline. Johnson also took a selfie with a fan in the stands who handed him their phone as he rode a stationary bike.
Johnson briefly went to the locker room in the third quarter holding his left side but returned to throw a TD pass to make it 21-7.
Shedeur Sanders finished 34 of 40 for 388 yards and three scores. He completed a school-best 16 straight passes and nearly had a 17th in a row but Will Sheppard dropped a pass in his hands. Soon after, Sheppard made up for it with a difficult 7-yard TD reception to make it 21-14.
The Takeaway
Kansas State: Found a way to escape with a win after surrendering the lead.
Colorado: The Buffaloes struggled early on defense without Hunter, allowing 17 points on three straight drives.
Celebrity sightings
Longtime NBA standout Carmelo Anthony was on the sideline wearing a Colorado Avalanche jersey. Kevin Durant showed up near Colorado's bench, too. The Phoenix Suns play the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game Sunday night.
Also on hand was Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook.
Up next
Kansas State: At West Virginia next Saturday.
Colorado: At Arizona on Saturday.