Des Purnell had two interceptions, including a pick-6, to help Kansas State defeat TCU 41-28 on Saturday afternoon in a Big 12 matchup in Manhattan, Kan.
Avery Johnson was 16-of-26 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns for Kansas State (3-4, 2-2 Big 12).
Josh Hoover completed 26 of 47 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns for TCU (4-2, 1-2).
Purnell gave the Wildcats a 21-7 lead with 10:28 left in the third quarter after picking off a pass at the TCU 25-yard line and running it in for the score. The play came one play after Purnell sacked Hoover for an 8-yard loss.
After a TCU punt, Kansas State went 74 yards in 10 plays to take a 28-7 lead with 3:57 left in the third quarter. Johnson found Garrett Oakley open over the middle for a 17-yard touchdown — Oakley’s second TD reception of the game.
Hoover found Chase Curtis for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to get the Horned Frogs to within 28-14.
The Wildcats responded with a 12-yard touchdown from Johnson to Jerand Bradley early in the fourth quarter before Hoover’s 85-yard touchdown pass to Eric McAlister trimmed it back to a two-score game. McAlister finished with four receptions for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding another score from 37 yards out with 26 seconds left.
After a Kansas State punt, Purnell’s second interception set up offense at the TCU 21, and Luis Rodriguez connected on a 19-yard field goal.
After an uninspiring first quarter with the two teams combining for 138 total yards and no points, TCU finally got on the scoreboard with 5:35 left in the second quarter. Jeremy Payne ran untouched around the left end for a 1-yard touchdown, capping a 12-play, 93-yard drive.
Kansas State responded quickly with a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Johnson hit Oakley for a 32-yard touchdown on a pass into the flat.
The Wildcats then capitalized on a TCU mistake when Hoover’s pass to Ed Small was backward, becoming a fumble. Wesley Fair picked it up at the 15-yard line and returned for a touchdown, giving Kansas State a 14-7 lead at the half.
In all, the Wildcats turned three TCU turnovers into 17 points while not turning it over themselves.
–Field Level Media
