Kansas State Football Battles Back for Victory in Road Opener Against Tulane

The 17th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats staged a spirited comeback in the second half, rallying from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Tulane Green Wave 31-14 in their first road game of the season. Tailback Deuce Vaughn led the Wildcats' resurgence, with quarterback Adrian Martinez finding his touch through the air. Tulane's offense struggled to keep pace after a strong start, as the Wildcats' defense clamped down in the second half.

In a hard-fought clash at Yulman Stadium, the Kansas State Wildcats exhibited resilience and determination, erasing a halftime deficit and ultimately triumphing over the Tulane Green Wave.

Kansas State Football Battles Back for Victory in Road Opener Against Tulane

Following a slow start offensively, the Green Wave found their rhythm early in the second quarter. Running back Tyjae Spears exploited the Wildcat defense with a pair of touchdowns, putting Tulane in a commanding 14-4 lead at halftime.

However, the Wildcats emerged a transformed team in the second half. Deuce Vaughn, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, ignited the comeback with a dazzling 59-yard touchdown run, his first score of the season. The Wildcat defense then forced a crucial three-and-out, giving the offense the opportunity to strike again.

Capitalizing on the momentum, quarterback Adrian Martinez connected with Malik Knowles for a 58-yard touchdown, giving Kansas State their first lead of the game at 18-14. From that point forward, the Wildcats never looked back.

The Tulane offense, which appeared poised to keep pace in the first half, faltered in the second. The Wildcat defense applied pressure, forcing the Green Wave to punt on four consecutive possessions. Tulane's rushing attack, which accounted for both of their first-half touchdowns, was largely neutralized in the second half.

Vaughn, who finished with 131 rushing yards, added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the Wildcats' lead to 24-14. Special teams played a crucial role in the victory, as Taiten Winkel's field goal and Phillip Brooks' 58-yard punt return to set up Vaughn's second touchdown secured the win for Kansas State.

With this hard-fought victory, the Wildcats improve to 2-0 on the season, while Tulane falls to 1-1. Kansas State will look to extend their winning streak next week when they host Missouri, while Tulane will face off against Southern Miss on the road.