Joe Jackson rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries to lead Kansas State to a 24-14 victory Saturday over Colorado at Manhattan, Kan.
The Wildcats (6-6, 5-4 Big 12) became bowl eligible with the victory. It will be their sixth bowl appearance in seven seasons under coach Chris Klieman.
Colorado (3-9, 1-8) lost its last five games in coach Deion Sanders’ third season with the Buffaloes.
Colorado started Kaidon Salter at quarterback after electing to redshirt true freshman Julian Lewis after Lewis played in four games, the limit to keep redshirt status.
Salter completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 172 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He rushed for 63 yards on 15 carries.
Kansas State’s Avery Johnson was 10 of 17 for 115 yards.
Kansas State took a 14-7 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter on Jackson’s second touchdown run of the game, this one from 1 yard.
Kansas State scored on its next possession on a 35-yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez with 10:23 left to increase the lead to 17-7.
Colorado answered with Micah Welch’s second 1-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with 7:03 remaining.
Jackson’s 17-yard touchdown run with 2:37 left completed Kansas State’s ensuing drive that took eight plays over 75 yards.
Colorado turned the ball over on downs at the Kansas State 42 with 1:13 left.
Jackson’s 4-yard score capped a 13-play, 74-yard drive that took almost half of the quarter to open the game. Kansas State led 7-0 with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
Kansas State maintained the lead when Qua Moss blocked Alejandro Mata’s 39-yard field-goal attempt with 58 seconds left in the first quarter.
Colorado went 84 yards in 11 plays, culminating with 1-yard scoring run by Micah Welch with 18 seconds left in the half, tying the game at 7.
The Buffaloes prolonged the drive by converting a third-and-17 play on a screen that went 38 yards from Salter to Omarion Miller.
–Field Level Media
