Game report: No. 5 Baylor 38, No. 9 Kansas State 27 | The Kansas City Star

First quarter

Key play: Randall Evans made an interception in the end zone, preventing Baylor from scoring three touchdowns in the opening quarter.

Key stat: Baylor outgained K-State 247-75.

Second quarter

Key play: Zach Trujillo caught a 36-yard touchdown pass that helped pull K-State within 21-14.

Key stat: K-State gained 100 yards.

Third quarter

Key play: Bryce Petty hit Antwan Goodley for a 58-yard touchdown pass that helped put Baylor ahead 31-17.

Key stat: Baylor threw for 119 yards.

Fourth quarter

Key play: Xavien Howard intercepted a Jake Waters pass, clinching the victory for Baylor.

Key stat: Waters threw his only interception.

Player of the game: Bryce Petty. A week after suffering a concussion he looked in top form.

Reason to hope: The only three teams K-State lost to this year were ranked in the top 10 at the time they played. The Wildcats are without a doubt one of the nation’s top 15 teams.

Reason to mope: Bill Snyder has never won a game in which both K-State and its opponent were ranked in the top 10.

Looking ahead: K-State fans can start packing their bags for the Alamo Bowl, where the Wildcats will face a Pac-12 opponent, possibly Arizona, Arizona State or UCLA. K-State is a near lock to receive an invitation to the San Antonio bowl with Baylor and TCU heading to college football’s playoff or a playoff-affiliated bowl.

Kellis Robinett, krobinett@kcstar.com

B	Offense	K-State was smart to stick with its running game even as it fell behind, but it should have taken at least some shots down field against a Baylor defense that surrendered big play after big play to Texas Tech.
C	Defense	The Wildcats came up with some big plays, but for the most part got shredded by the Bears’ passing attack.
B	Special teams	K-State couldn’t spring a long return, but Matthew McCrane was perfect on field goals.
B	Coaching	The better team won. You can’t blame the game plan.