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Kansas State players of the game in Rate Bowl win

On3 imageby:Drew Gallowayabout 22 hours

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NCAA Football: Rate Bowl-Rutgers at Kansas State
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) scores a touchdown against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kaj Sanders (5) during the first half of the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas State offensive MVP: Dylan Edwards

Take a bow, Dylan Edwards. In his first game as the starting running back for Kansas State, Edwards was electric. He rushed for 196 yards on 18 carries and two scores.

The sophomore running back also added two catches for 27 yards and another touchdown. His 196 rushing yards were a K-State bowl game record and was a Rate Bowl record for rushing yards.

I also considered the Kansas State offensive line for the player of the game for the offense. They paved the way for 347 yards while rushing for 8.3 yards per carry. With the bowl game added, K-State has averaged the most amount of yards per carry in a single season. It also should not be overlooked that it was not just the offensive line. The blocking on the perimeter was the best it has been all season and made the big runs pop.

Conor Riley and Matt Wells also deserve credit for coming together for an outstanding offensive game plan. The Wildcats averaged 3.38 points per drive and 7.99 yards per play in the 44-41 win.

Defensive MVP: Zashon Rich

It was an up and down game for the Kansas State defense. To be honest, there was a long time where the defense was pretty poor.

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However, after a shaky first half true freshman corner Zashon Rich made some big plays when they counted in the second. Rich was extremely physical and was giving it to the Rutgers wide receivers on the outside. The Minneapolis native had two pass breakups and came up with the game-sealing tackle for the Wildcats.

Quietly, Austin Romaine keeps adding to a productive season. He posted seven tackles to lead K-State and had a tackle for a loss as well.

K-State special teams MVP: Chris Tennant

Special teams will be an item that really needs correcting in the off-season. However, Chris Tennant topped off a good career for the Wildcats and a great season by making his only field goal attempt and was true on his extra points.

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