Sep 12, 2020

Arkansas State beats Kansas State 35-31 in final minute

Posted Sep 12, 2020 8:45 PM

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jonathan Adams Jr. caught three touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 38 seconds remaining, and Arkansas State defeated Kansas State 35-31 on Saturday.

Layne Hatcher threw a 17-yard pass to Adams for the winning score after the Wildcats (0-1) had taken a 31-28 lead on a Blake Lynch 35-yard field goal with 2:30 remaining.

Arkansas State (1-1) faked a punt that led to a pass interference call, keeping a drive alive and leading to a 5-yard TD pass to Adams from Logan Bonner for a 28-21 lead with just under 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Kansas State responded with Harry Trotter’s 5-yard touchdown run before Lynch’s go-ahead field goal.

Kansas State scored on its first possession on a 17-yard catch by Phillip Brooks following a blocked punt. The Wildcats scored on consecutive drives in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead. Adams got the Red Wolves’ first TD on a 2-yard pass from Bonner.

Wide receiver Jeff Foreman threw a 48-yard scoring pass to Roshauud Paul midway through the second quarter and the Red Wolves trailed 21-14 at halftime.

Arkansas State held the Wildcats to 91 yards rushing.

TRICK PLAYS

Arkansas State put on a magic show in Manhattan, fooling K-State with three trick plays that all led to points.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas State: The quick tempo and aggressive play-calling kept the Red Wolves in the game and proved to be the difference. Arkansas State kept the ground game in check.

Kansas State: The Wildcats failed to establish the run game and had to rely on the arm of Skylar Thompson, an uncommon offensive strategy for K-State.

UP NEXT

Arkansas State will host Central Arkansas next Saturday.

Kansas State will have a week off before opening Big 12 play against Oklahoma on September 26.