Baylor vs Kansas State 2025: Bears Win 35–34
Baylor edged Kansas State 35–34 on Oct. 4, 2025. Review the verified finish and crucial late-game moments.
Baylor vs Kansas State 2025: Bears Win 35–34
Baylor edged Kansas State 35–34 on October 4, 2025, at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Bears came back from a 31–17 fourth-quarter deficit and survived a late Kansas State field-goal attempt. The final one-point margin is confirmed; the fourth-quarter sequence and the blocked last-second kick explain how the game turned.
At a glance
| Item | Verified information |
| Final | Baylor 35, Kansas State 34 |
| Date | October 4, 2025 |
| Venue | McLane Stadium, Waco |
| Winning field goal | Connor Hawkins, 53 yards; 0:31 left |
| Final attempt | Baylor block with 0:05 left |
A comeback in the final quarter
Kansas State led 31–17 after three quarters, having scored seven in the first, ten in the second and 14 in the third. Baylor responded with 18 points in the fourth while holding Kansas State to three. The Bears finished ahead 35–34, reversing a two-touchdown deficit at the start of the final period.
That sequence differs from a game decided by constant lead changes. Baylor's comeback was concentrated in the final quarter, when the Bears converted opportunities while Kansas State could not add enough points to maintain its advantage.
The field goal and the late defensive stand
Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins made a 53-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining to put the Bears ahead. Kansas State still had time for a final attempt, but Caden Jenkins blocked Luis Rodriguez's 56-yard field goal try with five seconds left. Those are the confirmed decisive plays from Kansas State's official postgame account.
The close finish should not be simplified into “Kansas State missed a field goal.” A blocked attempt involves the opponent's special teams, and identifying the player and the timing produces a more accurate explanation. Baylor's fourth-quarter defense also put the visitors in a position where one very long kick became their last chance.
Avery Johnson and the turnover swing
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson completed 29 of 45 passes for 339 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added 72 rushing yards and a touchdown. Those production figures were impressive, yet a critical interception helped fuel Baylor's comeback. High individual yardage and a loss can coexist when turnovers alter field position.
The Kansas State report described Jacob Redding returning a Johnson interception 66 yards for a touchdown, giving Baylor a 32–31 lead with 4:28 remaining. That play belongs in the game narrative because it altered the score without requiring Baylor's offense to produce a conventional drive.
The 2025 season context
The loss dropped Kansas State to 2–4 overall and 1–2 in the Big 12. Baylor improved to 4–2 overall and 2–1 in conference play. Both records are historical snapshots from October 2025, not the teams' current marks. The game was played in Waco, not in Manhattan, making Baylor the home team.
For Kansas State fans exploring the next season, the 2026 schedule page carries current fixtures. The date and the Waco venue distinguish the Baylor–Kansas State contest from other games involving the schools.
What one-point losses can conceal
A single-point result does not necessarily mean the teams traded scores evenly for four quarters. Kansas State built a 31–17 advantage, Baylor then produced eighteen fourth-quarter points and K-State had one final attempt blocked. The scoring order reveals a comeback and two late special-teams moments, not a random swing of the final digit.
At the time, Kansas State had suffered multiple narrow defeats in its 2025 campaign. The Baylor finish belongs in that historical context, but the team’s later 2026 record and coaching staff should not be imported into the account of this October 2025 game.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Baylor vs Kansas State in 2025?
Baylor won 35–34 on October 4, 2025.
What happened on Kansas State’s final field goal?
Baylor’s Caden Jenkins blocked a 56-yard attempt with five seconds remaining.
Where was the game played?
McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.
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