KU vs. K-State: 8 stories from the 2025 Sunflower Showdown

The articles on this topic highlight Kansas State's decisive victory over Kansas in the Sunflower Showdown and explore why Kansas failed to break its losing streak in the series.

A recurring theme is K-State's extended win streak, now at 17 games, and the role of key players in securing the latest win. Kansas State, as documented, dominated the game with quarterback Avery Johnson leading the way. He threw key passes, including a 78-yard touchdown to Jayce Brown, which was pivotal.

Discussions also center around Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, who struggled against K-State's defense, finishing with only 129 passing yards and two turnovers.

Jalon Daniels #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks runs the ball against Zashon Rich #25 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 1: JALON DANIELS, LANCE LEIPOLD CAN’T END KANSAS JAYHAWKS’ LOSING STREAK TO K-STATE

For the first time since 2009, the Kansas Jayhawks entered Saturday as the favorites to beat in-state rival K-State. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas State’s Avery Johnson scores a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. By Travis Heying

NO. 2: FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM KANSAS STATE’S DOMINANT SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN VICTORY AT KU

The streak lives on. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

No image found

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson celebrates with fans after the Wildcats won their 17th straight game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. By Travis Heying

NO. 3: HERE’S WHY K-STATE BLEW OUT KU — AND THE QUESTION THAT LINGERS

A pre-snap look stunned Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson on Saturday in Lawrence, both because of its rarity and because, well, it’s not exactly what he’d advise. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

No image found

Lance Leipold of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 4: LANCE LEIPOLD ACKNOWLEDGES KU FANS’ FRUSTRATION, EMBARRASSMENT AFTER K-STATE LOSS

Kansas coach Lance Leipold walked to the podium for his postgame news conference with a somber look.Kansas State had just defeated Kansas 42-17, extending the Wildcats’ win streak over the Jayhawks to 17 games.The Jayhawks led this game early, after a first-quarter rushing touchdown, but were blown out the rest of the way. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Chris Klieman of the Kansas State Wildcats congratulates Avery Johnson #2 after a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lawrence. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 5: WHY K-STATE WAS ‘(TICKED) OFF’ & LOADED WITH EXTRA MOTIVATION FOR KU RIVALRY WIN

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman spoke as if he was Michael Jordan after his Wildcats demolished the Jayhawks 42-17 on Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Jalon Daniels #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks scrambles against Ryan Davis #52 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 6: WHY QB JALON DANIELS BLAMED HIMSELF FOR KU FOOTBALL’S BLOWOUT LOSS TO K-STATE

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels looked like he was on the verge of tears. | Published October 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels fumbles the snaps during the fourth quarter of the game against Kansas State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. By Travis Heying

NO. 7: KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL GRADES: REPORT CARD FROM KU’S RIVALRY LOSS TO K-STATE

The Sunflower Showdown was a complete and utter domination in favor of Kansas State. | Published October 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

No image found

Kansas State’s Joe Jackson gets tripped up by Kansas’ DJ Graham II during the fourth quarter of their game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. By Travis Heying

NO. 8: GRADES FROM KANSAS STATE’S BLOWOUT VICTORY AT KU AND A LOOK AHEAD TO TEXAS TECH

A 42-17 victory over Kansas was the type of result that could end up changing the trajectory of Kansas State’s football season.Not long ago, the Wildcats were 1-3 and Chris Klieman was in danger of suffering his first losing season as a head coach since 2005. | Published October 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.