The Utah Utes erased a 47-35 deficit with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to beat the K-State Wildcats 51-47. The win keeps the Utah Utes’ College Football Playoff hopes alive as they improve to 9-2 on the season.
No. 12 Utah trailed by 12 points halfway through the fourth quarter when K-State elected to go for a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown to make it a 47-35 game. And on the two-point conversion attempt, Utah returned an Avery Johnson interception 100 yards to the house to make it a 10-point game at 47-37. A flag was thrown on the two-point conversion by the official on the far goal line, but the flag was inexplicably picked up after Utah returned the two-point conversion for two points of their own.
The Utes had the momentum and on their next drive went 75 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown to cut it to a 47-44 game. Another three-and-out by Kansas State gave Utah the ball with just over two minutes to play down by three points. And it was Devion Dampier and the Utes offense taking it 70 yards in less than two minutes, including Dampier’s 59-yard run, to set up the game-winning touchdown. On K-State’s final drive, Avery Johnson was picked off to end the game by Utah linebacker Lander Barton.
Utah overcame K-State’s 472 rushing yards, including 293 by Joe Jackson, which set a single game Kansas State record.
Utah still needs help to make the Playoff, with ESPN’s odds giving them a 26% chance to make the CFP after their comeback win. But they’re still in the mix to reach the Big 12 Championship as well, with a 10% chance, but need to win at Kansas next week, and get some help.
Meantime, K-State is now 5-6 after the loss as the disappointing season will end next week at home vs. Colorado. The Wildcats will be bowl eligible with a win.
