UCF vs Kansas State 2025: Wildcats Win 34–20

UCF vs Kansas State 2025: Wildcats Win 34–20

Kansas State defeated UCF 34–20 on September 27, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas, behind strong rushing contributions and two Avery Johnson touchdown passes. The Wildcats were seeking a conference response after a difficult early schedule, and the home victory improved them to 2–3 overall. This story is about that September 2025 game, not UCF's 2026 trip to Colorado.

At a glance

How Kansas State built the lead

Neither team scored in the first quarter. Kansas State took a 17–7 lead into halftime and scored 14 more in the third while UCF added ten. By the end of the third the Wildcats led 31–17, leaving UCF with too much to recover in the fourth despite a field goal. The final was 34–20.

The third-quarter rushing attack was particularly important. A 75-yard scoring run by Dylan Edwards stretched Kansas State's cushion in a period when UCF was still producing points. A possession-by-possession view shows the Wildcats responding to pressure rather than simply coasting after the first quarter.

Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards

Avery Johnson passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries, according to the school recap. Edwards ran for 166 yards and a touchdown, including the 75-yard third-quarter score. Those complementary performances gave Kansas State both a passing component and explosive ground production.

The result was not decided by one player alone, but Johnson and Edwards provide the clearest verified statistics for understanding why the Wildcats could sustain offense. Claims about every receiver's total or individual defensive tackle counts should be checked against the final box score rather than guessed from these selected numbers.

What the result meant in the Big 12

Kansas State improved to 2–3 overall and 1–1 in conference play. UCF fell to 3–1 overall and 0–1 in the Big 12 at the end of the day. The win was the Wildcats' second of the 2025 season, and their first Big 12 victory of that campaign. It followed a bye week and helped them recover some rhythm.

That historical context is not transferable to the following season. Kansas State's 2026 team has a different head coach, while UCF is scheduled to face Colorado on November 28, 2026. The two meetings have different opponents, locations and seasons.

Why the two UCF matchups must remain distinct

This September 2025 account specifically concerns UCF’s visit to Manhattan. Someone who searches “Colorado vs UCF 2026” wants a future Buffaloes home game. Trying to satisfy both with one article would mislabel the score, venue and season.

The 34–20 result should stay in this recap. The Kansas State schedule links to current Wildcats fixtures, and the Colorado–UCF article can mention the 2025 game only as clearly dated background if it materially informs the reader.

Why the final score tells only part of the game

The 34–20 margin was built after a scoreless opening quarter, not from a first-possession lead. Kansas State took control through the middle periods and gave up only three points in the fourth. Reading the quarter scores alongside Johnson’s passing and Edwards’s rushing offers a clearer view of how the Wildcats changed the rhythm.

The result also needs the correct program and year: it was a 2025 Kansas State home game against UCF. A Colorado–UCF contest is scheduled for late November 2026 and has a different stadium, coaching context and set of opponents.

Frequently asked questions

Who won UCF vs Kansas State in 2025?

Kansas State won 34–20 on September 27, 2025.

Who led Kansas State’s rushing attack?

Dylan Edwards had 166 rushing yards and a touchdown in the official recap.

Was this the Colorado–UCF game?

No. Colorado was not involved in the September 2025 Kansas State–UCF contest.

Related Kansas State and Colorado coverage

Kansas State Football Schedule 2026: Dates, Opponents and Results

Colorado vs UCF 2026: Football Date, Venue and TV Status