No. 18 K-State football takes down UT Martin in season opener

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - No. 18 Kansas State football started its 2024 season off with a victory on Saturday.

The Wildcats beat UT Martin 41-6 in front of their home crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. K-State's offense got out to a slow start, but once the sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson and the Wildcats found their rhythm, it proved too much for the Skyhawks.

Johnson and tight end Brayden Loftin connectedfor a 23-yard touchdown in the first quarter to start the day's scoring. Ty Bowman then blocked a punt a few possessions later, allowing Colby McCallister to scoop-and-score to make it a 14-0 lead.

Johnson threw his first interception at the beginning of the second quarter, but K-State's defense only allowed the Skyhawks a field goal. Kicker Chris Tennant drilled a 43-yard field goal to boost the 'Cats' lead to 17-3 at halftime.

K-State ran away with the game in the second half. Transfer running back Dylan Edwards scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air, his first two scores as a Wildcat. Edwards' second touchdown came early in the fourth quarter, bumping the Wildcats' lead up to 34-6. Johnson exited the game, while backup quarterback Jacob Knuth closed things out.

Johnson finished with 153 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. DJ Giddens led the way for the 'Cats in terms of rushing, with 124 yards on 13 carries. Edwards accounted for 62 total yards and two touchdowns.

K-State pays a visit to Tulane for its next game on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.