PHOENIX — Kansas State faces a difficult task with DJ Giddens, one of the Big 12's top running backs, opting out of the Rate Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Dylan Edwards showed the Wildcats and their fans there was nothing to worry about.
Edwards rushed for 196 yards and his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State defeat Rutgers 44-41 in the Leto Bowl on Thursday night.
“Dylan and those young guys, those kids are really good players,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “All they need is belief and confidence.”
They got it in the desert after some early stumbles.
The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 points at halftime and took a 34-17 lead on Jayshon Benjamin's 7-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) fought back.
Edwards scored on a 65-yard touchdown run, and after an interception thrown by Rutgers' Eithan Kaliakmanis, Garrett Oakley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to pull Kansas State within five points. The Wildcats failed on two-point conversions after both touchdowns.
Rutgers briefly regained momentum and took a 41-29 lead early in the fourth quarter on Antwone Raymond's 1-yard TD run on a fake push push.
Kansas State responded with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Jadon Jackson. Edwards also had a 36-yard score, capping an impressive night in place of Giddens, who ran for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season.
“We worked on these plays for two weeks, so I just tried to do my job and that's what I did,” Edwards said.
Rutgers still had a chance. The Scarlet Knights led from 25 yards to Kansas State's 44, but gained only three more yards and turned it around on downs with just under two minutes left.
“I tell our players, in life, even if you do everything you can to be your best, sometimes you're going to be disappointed,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “We know this team did everything they could, but we just fell short.”
Rutgers will also be without its leading rusher, with Kyle Monangai opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Raymond was a solid runner in his place, rushing for 113 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Kaliakumanis threw for 237 yards and one touchdown, but also made a key interception, completing just 14-of-32 passes.
After gaining 319 yards in the first half, Rutgers had 82 yards of offense in the second half.
“In the second half, they controlled the game offensively and defensively,” Schiano said.
