K-State’s 17th straight football win over Kansas explained

The articles focus on Kansas State's continued success over Kansas in football, emphasizing the reasons behind K-State's dominance in the rivalry. Each piece points to sustained performance, execution, and key players' roles in shaping the outcome.

Kansas State defeated Kansas 42-17, marking the Wildcats' seventeenth consecutive win over the Jayhawks. Kansas started strong by forcing a fumble and turning it into an early touchdown, but K-State responded with 21 unanswered points. Jalon Daniels passed for 129 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, but also had two turnovers and completed fewer than half his throws. Kansas State’s quarterback Avery Johnson threw for over 200 yards and contributed two passing and two rushing touchdowns. Running back Daniel Hishaw was a highlight for Kansas, scoring a touchdown and rushing for 67 yards.

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Brett Yormark, commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, speaks during Big 12 Media Days at T-Mobile Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: WHY THE BIG 12 WANTS SCHOOLS LIKE KU & K-STATE PLAYING IN INTERNATIONAL GAMES

With the Big Ten considering a private equity deal to support its members in college sports’ new financial frontier, another conference provided a reminder of where it stands on an option it once considered. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

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Kansas wide receiver Cam Pickett (7), left, and receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (1) celebrate after Pickett scores a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against Wagner at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Lawrence. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: K-STATE TRASH-TALK? WHY KU JAYHAWKS SHRUGGED OFF PRE-SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN CHATTER

Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Cam Pickett says he isn’t worried about what his football-playing counterparts at Kansas State might be saying about KU ahead of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

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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. 3: 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

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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. 4: 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

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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. 5: 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

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.