Kansas State vs. Arizona State Football: October 24, 2026
Arizona State defeated Kansas State 28–17 on October 24, 2026. See the verified result, player leaders and pivotal fourth-quarter plays.
Kansas State vs. Arizona State Football: October 24, 2026
Arizona State defeated Kansas State 28–17 on October 24, 2026, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. The Sun Devils entered the fourth quarter trailing 17–14, then scored 14 unanswered points to win. That finish is the defining feature of this particular contest and explains more than the final margin alone.
Arizona State vs. Kansas State final score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Kansas State | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Arizona State | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
The teams were tied 7–7 after one quarter, and Arizona State led 14–10 at halftime. Kansas State's third-quarter touchdown moved it ahead by three. Arizona State responded in the final period with two touchdowns while its defense kept Kansas State off the scoreboard. A 28–17 final therefore emerged from a late turnaround, not wire-to-wire control.
Comparing the official team numbers
| Statistic | Kansas State | Arizona State |
| First downs | 18 | 19 |
| Rushing yards | 84 | 147 |
| Passing yards | 194 | 212 |
| Total offense | 278 | 359 |
| Third-down conversions | 4 of 15 | 4 of 15 |
Although both teams converted the same number of third downs, Arizona State gained 81 more offensive yards and 63 more rushing yards. The numbers fit a game in which ASU ultimately had enough offensive balance to score twice in the fourth quarter. Kansas State's total-yard output was competitive enough to keep the score close for three periods, but it did not produce the final scoring answer.
Quarterback circumstances and notable players
Kansas State quarterback Jacob Knuth started in place of Avery Johnson. The school's official recap lists Knuth at 26 completions in 41 attempts for 194 passing yards and one touchdown. Mikey Keene's game-center passing leader figure for Arizona State was 160 yards, while Cardae Mack ran for 159. Reed Harris had 147 receiving yards for ASU. Kansas State's leading rusher was Rodney Fields Jr. with 36 yards, and Derrick Salley Jr. led its receivers with 63.
Mack's 159 rushing yards stand out because they exceeded the team's net rushing total of 147. This is possible in football statistics: other rushers may have negative net yardage, often due to sacks or plays stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Explaining this distinction prevents readers from thinking the official box score is contradictory.
How the fourth quarter changed the result
A possession is most valuable when it moves the scoreboard at a moment the opponent cannot easily answer. Arizona State's late scoring gave the Sun Devils the lead and then added a second-score cushion. Kansas State, meanwhile, was unable to turn its remaining fourth-quarter opportunities into points. The deciding story is therefore game management late, even though several individual offensive numbers were noteworthy earlier.
This article should not be conflated with the November 21 Arizona Wildcats–Kansas State game. The October 24 winner was Arizona State, a different school with a different mascot and schedule. Keeping the distinction visible in headings, title and FAQs protects readers from conflicting search snippets.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Kansas State vs. Arizona State in 2026?
Arizona State won 28–17 on October 24.
Who led Arizona State's rushing game?
Cardae Mack rushed for 159 net yards.
Did Kansas State lead in the fourth quarter?
Kansas State entered the fourth quarter ahead 17–14, but Arizona State scored twice to win.