Kansas State deals blow to No. 5 Oklahoma’s title hopes

MANHATTAN, Kan. — There was never a moment of uncertainty on Kansas State’s sideline when fifth-ranked Oklahoma raced to an early lead, or when the Sooners began to mount a frantic fourth-quarter comeback.

There might have been just a bit when they recovered an onside kick.

“It was a little anxious,” Wildcats defensive end Wyatt Hubert said.

Anxiousness that soon gave way to elation.

Officials reviewed the recovery with 1:45 left in the game and determined the ball hit an Oklahoma player a yard early, giving it to the Wildcats. They ran out the rest of the clock to finish off a 48-41 victory that dealt the Sooners’ national title hopes a major blow.

“Oklahoma isn’t a team that is used to facing adversity very well,” said Hubert, who along with the rest of the Kansas State defense did just enough against Heisman Trophy contender Jalen Hurts to enable Kansas State to win. “If you can put their backs against the wall, things are going to go more smoothly.”

It was the first home win for the Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) over Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) since 1996, and just their fourth win ever over a top-five team. It also snapped the Sooners’ 22-game road winning streak — a span of five years and 22 days since their loss at TCU.

Skylar Thompson had 213 yards passing and ran for four touchdowns, and James Gilbert added 105 yards rushing and a score for Kansas State, which had been a 24-point underdog.

“We’ve got to be more appreciative, cherish every moment and attack every moment with the right intent,” said Hurts, who threw for 395 yards and a touchdown and ran for 95 yards and three more. “We’ve got to learn from this and appreciate this lesson.”