Honestly, if you missed the KSU vs North Dakota game last August, you missed one of the most stressful evenings in recent Manhattan history. It wasn't supposed to be like that. No one goes into a game against an FCS opponent expecting a "rock fight," yet that's exactly what the Bill Snyder Family Stadium crowd got. It was a Saturday night that felt more like a November conference showdown than a non-conference tune-up.
The No. 17 Wildcats didn't just win; they survived.
When Joe Jackson hauled in that 6-yard pass from Avery Johnson with only 42 seconds left on the clock, the collective sigh of relief in the stands probably could’ve been heard all the way in Topeka. It capped off an 81-yard drive that K-State desperately needed to avoid a disastrous 0-2 start to their 2025 campaign.
Why the Fighting Hawks Almost Pulled It Off
North Dakota, playing their very first game under head coach Eric Schmidt, looked like they belonged on that field from the opening kickoff. Usually, these games follow a script. The bigger school flexes its muscle early, the depth charts take over, and by the fourth quarter, the starters are wearing headsets on the sideline.
Not this time.
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The Hawks actually led 21-17 at halftime. Jerry Kaminski was a problem all night for the K-State secondary, throwing for 231 yards and moving the chains with his legs. But the real shocker was the fourth quarter. After K-State seemingly took control with a 31-21 lead, North Dakota stormed back. Sawyer Seidl’s 20-yard touchdown run with 4:19 left didn't just give them a 35-31 lead; it put the Wildcats' entire season on the brink.
The Avery Johnson Factor
We talk a lot about "clutch genes," and Avery Johnson proved he’s got the DNA.
The stats from the KSU vs North Dakota box score are impressive enough:
- 318 passing yards
- 3 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 28-of-43 completions
But the stats don't show the 25-yard scramble he had with 53 seconds left. That was the play. It moved the ball deep into UND territory and set up the game-winner. Without that specific burst of speed, we’re talking about one of the biggest upsets in the history of the program.
Breaking Down the Ground Game
K-State’s rushing attack was a bit of a mixed bag. They finished with 143 net yards on the ground, which is decent but not dominant against an FCS front. DeVon Rice was the workhorse in the third quarter, finding the end zone twice (9 yards and 13 yards) to give the Wildcats that temporary cushion.
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On the other side, North Dakota's Sawyer Seidl was a nightmare. He averaged over seven yards per carry on his way to 62 yards and two scores. The Fighting Hawks didn't try to out-muscle K-State; they used a quick-hitting spread that exploited gaps in the Wildcats' pursuit angles. It was tactical. It was disciplined.
The History You Might Have Forgotten
This wasn't the first time North Dakota (or their neighbors to the south) gave K-State a heart attack. If you’ve been following this for a while, you probably remember the 2013 nightmare against North Dakota State. Different school, same region, same result: a massive scare for the purple and white.
In fact, K-State’s history against the Missouri Valley Football Conference is full of these "closer than they should be" games. It's a reminder that the gap between a mid-tier FBS Power 4 team and a top-tier FCS program is basically a thin sheet of paper most Saturdays.
Defensive Struggles and Silver Linings
The K-State defense looked winded at times. They surrendered 354 total yards and allowed UND to convert 5-of-14 on third down. That might not sound terrible, but when you realize UND had the ball for over 31 minutes, you see the problem. The Hawks were able to sustain long drives, keeping the high-powered K-State offense on the sideline.
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One bright spot? The pass rush finally woke up when it mattered. They notched three sacks on Kaminski, accounting for 34 lost yards. Those negative plays were arguably the only thing that kept the game from spiraling earlier in the second half.
What Happens Next for the Wildcats?
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2026 cycle and beyond, this game served as a massive wake-up call. Coach Chris Klieman noted after the game that "Avery was calm," but the rest of the team needs to find that same level of composure earlier in the contest.
You can't rely on 80-yard two-minute drills every week.
For fans looking at the KSU vs North Dakota rivalry, don't expect another matchup anytime soon. K-State's future schedules are packed with the likes of Washington State, Tulane, and a full Big 12 slate featuring Arizona and Colorado.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the tape on the secondary: The mid-range passing game is where UND hurt K-State. If you're betting on upcoming games, keep an eye on how the Wildcats adjust their zone coverage against similar spread offenses.
- Monitor the Rushing Rotation: With DeVon Rice and Joe Jackson both proving they can score, the "running back by committee" approach is likely here to stay.
- Respect the FCS: If this game taught us anything, it’s that North Dakota is a legitimate playoff contender in their division. Keep an eye on them in the MVFC standings; they're going to break someone else's heart this year.
The 38-35 final score will go down as a "W," but the lessons learned in those four quarters will likely define how K-State handles the pressure of the Big 12 title race later this season.