Colorado beat Kansas State 27-24 in overtime at Folsom Field, and the Buffaloes' run game is why. They ran for 222 yards at more than 5 yards a carry, and all three of their regulation touchdowns came on the ground.
Kansas State did almost everything else right. The Wildcats committed no turnovers, held the ball longer and outgained Colorado through the air. They could not run, though, averaging about 3 yards a carry, and that left Blake Barnett's arm to carry the offense alone.
How It Happened
Colorado struck first when Richard Young scored on a 2-yard run with 1:42 left in the first quarter. Kansas State answered late in the second, when Barnett found Josh Manning for a 28-yard touchdown at 2:25. It was 7-7 at the half.
The third quarter followed the same pattern. JaQuail Smith broke a 47-yard touchdown run at 4:35 to put Colorado back in front. Barnett replied at 2:14 with a 33-yard scoring throw to Linkon Cure, tying it at 14.
Young added his second touchdown on a 22-yard run at 12:27 of the fourth quarter for a 21-14 lead. Colorado held that edge until the final seconds, when Barnett hit Garrett Oakley from 8 yards out with 0:02 on the clock. Luis Rodriguez's kick sent it to overtime at 21-21.
Overtime
Kansas State had the ball first in the extra period and came away with only a 25-yard Rodriguez field goal. That left the door open for Colorado.
The Buffaloes needed a touchdown and got one. Isaac Wilson threw an 11-yard scoring pass to Charlie Williams to end it.
The field goal was the difference. Kansas State had answered every Colorado touchdown in regulation, but settling for 3 points in overtime let Colorado win it with a touchdown.
Key Performers
Blake Barnett, Kansas State: 3 TD passes – 28 YDS to Josh Manning, 33 YDS to Linkon Cure, 8 YDS to Garrett Oakley
Richard Young, Colorado: 2 rushing TD – 2 YDS, 22 YDS
JaQuail Smith, Colorado: 47-YD TD run
Isaac Wilson, Colorado: 11-YD TD pass to Charlie Williams in OT
Colorado rushing: 43 ATT, 222 YDS, 5.2 per carry
Kansas State rushing: 39 ATT, 121 YDS, 3.1 per carry
Colorado passing: 14-21, 185 YDS, 8.8 per pass
Kansas State passing: 19-30, 226 YDS, 7.5 per pass
Turnovers: Colorado 1, Kansas State 0
Colorado's passing game did not need volume. The Buffaloes threw only 21 times but completed two-thirds of them, an efficient complement to the run.
What It Means
Colorado improves to 3-5 overall and 2-2 at home. The Buffaloes lost the turnover battle and the time-of-possession battle and still won, because they ran for nearly twice as many yards as Kansas State.
Kansas State falls to 4-4, and the split tells the story of its season. The Wildcats are 4-1 at home and 0-3 on the road, meaning every one of their wins has come at home.
This loss fits that pattern. A clean, turnover-free road performance still was not enough, and until Kansas State wins away from home, a .500 record is about where this team belongs.