#14 K-State hosts #20 Arizona in FOX TV’s feature game (8 PM, Eastern).
Kansas State (9-4) and Arizona (10-3) finished the 2023 season with bowl wins. K-State beat NC State 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl 28-19. Meanwhile, Arizona topped Oklahoma 28-14 in the Valero Alamo Bowl, one of nine consecutive wins. The Desert Wildcats haven’t lost a game since going down to USC in triple overtime on October 7, 2023.
As for head-to-head competition, Arizona has won five of seven games played in a series that dates back to 1941, but the teams haven’t suited up against each other since 1978. The rivalry was renewed recently when AZ joined the new-look Big XII along with three “Corner Schools.” Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah all bolted the PAC-12 for the Big XII.
In Friday’s game, Kansas State will feature quarterback Avery Johnson (334 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, QBR 64.1), running back D.J. Giddens (238 yards, 1 TD, 7.4-yard avg.), wide receiver Jayce Brown (6 receptions, 88 yards, 14.7 yard Avg.), and linebacker Austin Romaine (11 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble).
On the other side of the field, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (595 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, QBR 41.2) leads the quest of a new generation along with running back Quali Conley (202 yds, 3 TDs, 7.5 yds. avg), running back J. Croskey-Merritt (106 yds, 1 TD, 8.2 yds avg), and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (315 yds., 4 TDs 26.3 yd. avg.). Linebacker Jacob Manu leads the way on defense (21 tackles, one pass defended, one fumble recovery).
It’s Kansas State vs Arizona, 8:00 PM on FOX. Friday, September 13, 2024, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas. As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN has K-State -2.5 with a 73% chance of winning.
