Manhattan is a bit quiet right now. If you're looking for the score of the Kansas State football game today, January 13, 2026, you won't find one. The pads are in storage. The stadium is empty. But the fallout from how the 2025 season wrapped up? That’s still very much a topic of conversation at Aggieville bars.
Kansas State finished their 2025 campaign with a 6-6 record. Honestly, it was a rollercoaster. They closed the regular season on a high note, beating Colorado 24-14 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on November 29. Joe Jackson was the hero that day, punching in three touchdowns and looking like the future of this backfield. It wasn't the double-digit win season fans craved, but it got them to bowl eligibility for the fifth straight year.
The Final Numbers That Defined the Season
Looking back at the score of the Kansas State football game week by week, the 2025 season was a tale of "what if." They started the year in Dublin, Ireland, which sounds amazing until you realize they lost a heartbreaker to Iowa State, 24-21. That set a tone for a year of close calls.
Check out how the back half of the schedule shook out. They absolutely dismantled Kansas in the Sunflower Showdown, 42-17. It was a clinic. Avery Johnson looked like the superstar everyone expected, throwing for 231 yards and keeping the Jayhawks' defense on their heels all afternoon. Then, they went to Stillwater and ground out a 14-6 win against Oklahoma State. It was ugly, defensive, and exactly what K-State football usually is—tough.
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But then came the Utah game. Talk about a shootout. The final was 51-47 in favor of the Utes. K-State put up nearly 50 points on the road and still walked away with an L. It’s those kinds of games that leave a mark on a program’s psyche.
Why the 6-6 Record Feels Different
Most people see .500 and think "mediocre." But if you watched these games, you know the Wildcats were a few plays away from 9-3. They lost to Baylor by one point (35-34). They lost to Arizona by six. The margins in the Big 12 are razor-thin, and in 2025, the Wildcats just happened to be on the wrong side of the edge more often than not.
Coach Chris Klieman has since handed the reins to Collin Klein as the head man, and the transition has been the biggest story in Manhattan this January. While the score of the Kansas State football game from the Colorado win is the last official tally on the books, the "score" in the recruiting and coaching department is where the real action is happening right now.
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A New Era: Sean Gleeson and the Transfer Portal
Just yesterday, January 12, 2026, the program made a massive splash. Sean Gleeson is the new Offensive Coordinator. He’s coming over from Missouri, and if you follow SEC ball, you know his offenses are explosive. He’s a veteran with 19 years under his belt, and he’s tasked with making sure Avery Johnson’s talent isn't wasted in 2026.
The transfer portal is also humming. K-State just landed Wendell Gregory, an edge rusher from Oklahoma State. This kid was the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Landing a guy like that from a conference rival? That’s a massive win. They also picked up Jay Harris, a running back from Oregon who just played in the College Football Playoff semi-final.
Basically, while the last score of the Kansas State football game was a modest 24-14 win, the team being built for next September looks significantly more dangerous.
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What Fans Should Watch For
If you’re a die-hard, the next few months are about internal growth. The 2025 season showed that the talent is there, but the consistency was lacking. Avery Johnson threw for 115 yards in the finale—a low number that reflected a conservative game plan. With Gleeson calling the shots, expect that to change.
The 2026 schedule is already looking spicy. They open with Nicholls on September 5, followed by Washington State and Tulane. Those aren't "gimme" games. The Wildcats will need every bit of that new explosive offense to navigate a Big 12 that seems to get deeper every year.
Honestly, the 2025 season felt like a bridge. It was the end of one chapter and the frantic beginning of another. The 6-6 finish wasn't what anyone put on their preseason bingo card, but the way they fought through injuries—especially in the quarterback room—showed a lot of heart.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Don't just wait for the spring game to get your K-State fix. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here’s what you should be doing:
- Track the Portal: Keep an eye on the 247Sports Transfer Tracker. The Wildcats are still hunting for offensive line depth and another veteran wide receiver to pair with Jayce Brown.
- Review the Tape: Go back and watch the Oklahoma State game from November 15. That 14-6 win was a masterclass in defensive positioning. It'll give you a good idea of why landing Wendell Gregory is such a big deal for this scheme.
- Mark the Calendar: The 2026 season kicks off in less than eight months. Season ticket renewals usually hit in the spring—don't miss the window if you want to be at Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the Gleeson era debut.
The 2025 season is in the books. The scores are settled. But in Manhattan, the real work is just getting started.