Eric Boggs 
Houston upset Kansas State.
In a thrilling comeback on a rain-soaked afternoon, Houston stunned No. 17 Kansas State with a 24-19 win, marking the Cougars’ first victory over a ranked team since 2021. Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss led the charge, finishing 11-of-11 for 103 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 75 yards, including a pivotal 41-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 19-10 entering the final period, Chriss connected with Maliq Carr on a 1-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead. Moments later, after a Kansas State punt, he broke loose for his long touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining, putting Houston up by five.
Kansas State’s young quarterback, Avery Johnson, struggled with costly interceptions at critical moments. Johnson threw for 238 yards and a touchdown but had two crucial interceptions in the final quarter, giving Houston the opening they needed. The Wildcats had a chance to reclaim the lead, driving into Houston territory in the final seconds, but Johnson’s last-second pass fell incomplete in the end zone.
Kansas State’s offense started strong, with Johnson hitting Keagan Johnson for a 7-yard touchdown just before halftime, giving the Wildcats a 16-10 lead. DJ Giddens added a rushing touchdown but was held to just 50 yards on the ground as the Wildcats’ run game faltered. The rain-soaked field caused problems for both teams, particularly on special teams, with Kansas State missing an extra point and a field goal due to poor snaps.
The weather delay and challenging conditions contributed to a back-and-forth battle marked by errors and missed opportunities. Kansas State’s defense forced a turnover just before halftime, recovering a fumble that led to a quick scoring drive. However, Chriss’s near-perfect performance and clutch plays in the fourth quarter ultimately sealed the victory for Houston.
With this loss, Kansas State drops to 7-2 (4-2 Big 12), while Houston improves to 4-5 (3-3 Big 12). Kansas State’s conference championship hopes took a hit, and they’ll need to regroup as they prepare to host Arizona State next week.
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