Kansas State 21 Kansas 17.

That was the final score Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, with the contest including an exciting finish.

The Wildcats ( 4-6 ) led 21-17 in the fourth quarter but the Jayhawks ( 3-7 ) were driving with a second and 10 at the K-State 32 yard line when quarterback Peyton Bender fumbled the ball as he was trying to pass with just under 30 seconds to play. The loose football was recovered by the Wildcats who then ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Kansas State trailed deep into the fourth quarter but a a 21-yard touchdown run by quarterback Alex Delton and the ensuing PAT put the Wildcats up by four points. Kansas then drove down the field with that possession ending in the final fumble. Earlier in the fourth quarter the Jayhawks had two big gains called back due to a pair of holding penalties, and one unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

K-State coach Bill Snyder stated that all of the games are significant but this one was meaningful in a variety of ways, “in particular because of the young people that we have in our program, Kansas youngsters for instance, seniors that have never lost this particular ball game and wouldn’t want to be the first to do it. It has a variety of different positive meanings.

Delton stated that the win meant a lot. “Not only is it a conference win but it is an in-state rival that means a lot. We get a chance to represent the university, the community and the football team in a positive way. Hopefully we use this for some momentum.”

The fans braved bitter cold to watch the game. At kickoff the temperature was reported at 24-degrees, the winds at 12 miles per hour out of the southeast, and the wind chill at 13-degrees.

The Wildcats host Texas Tech next Saturday while the Jayhawks go to Oklahoma.

( Photos courtesy of Rick Dykstra )