Kansas State’s trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium is locked for Saturday, November 22, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. CT (2 p.m. MT) on ESPN2, the Big 12 and ESPN confirmed on Sunday. It will be the first football meeting between Kansas State and Utah and the Utes’ regular-season home finale in Salt Lake City.
Match setup and broadcast
The Wildcats (5-5, 4-3 Big 12) visit No. 13 Utah (8-2, 5-2) in a late-season Big 12 test with implications at both ends of the table: Utah remains in the title hunt, while Kansas State is one win from bowl eligibility. The game airs nationally on ESPN2; kickoff is 3 p.m. CT from Rice-Eccles Stadium. According to the league’s weekly TV designations, the matchup slots into the afternoon window alongside other conference fixtures. Kansas State noted the time and network in its game advisory; Utah lists the date as Senior Day at Rice-Eccles with MUSS Appreciation scheduled in-venue.
Form guide
Kansas State arrives off a 14-6 road win at Oklahoma State on November 15. The Wildcats forced five turnovers and held the Cowboys without a touchdown, a performance that coach Chris Klieman said he would “enjoy … because we won in Stillwater,” adding that wins there have been rare in recent years. Quarterback Avery Johnson finished 15-of-28 for 177 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and running back Joe Jackson added 69 rushing yards and a score. Receiver Jayce Brown caught three passes for 82 yards and a touchdown before leaving at halftime; Klieman said the staff would evaluate a shoulder issue this week. Those details were confirmed in the school’s postgame report.
Utah’s surge continued with a 55-28 win at Baylor on November 15. The Utes piled up 380 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, including 166 yards and two long scores from freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin, plus 129 rushing yards and a touchdown from running back Wayshawn Parker. Utah has won eight games this season, all by at least 25 points, and improved to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12. After the Baylor win, head coach Kyle Whittingham underscored the identity that has fueled the run: “We ran the ball for almost 400 yards, which has kind of been our calling card this year.”
Numbers that matter
Utah’s offensive line was named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist last week, recognition that mirrors the Utes’ top-tier ground efficiency and third-down success. Utah cites a 53.3% third-down conversion rate and 267 rushing yards per game, among the best in the FBS this season. That line—anchoring a run-first approach under Whittingham—has helped Utah go 4-1 at home, with wins over Cal Poly, Arizona State, Colorado and No. 17 Cincinnati, and a single home loss to Texas Tech.
For Kansas State, the profile is trending defense-first. The Wildcats have produced multiple takeaways in seven straight games and leaned on field position at Oklahoma State to navigate a below-par yardage day. Johnson’s mobility and willingness to push vertically to Brown and the receiving corps have complemented a backfield that can grind downs when needed, but ball security and third-down execution remain swing factors on the road.
Standings, stakes and milestones
Utah enters the week third in the Big 12 standings at 5-2, one game behind leaders in a crowded top tier, while Kansas State sits in the middle at 4-3. ESPN’s conference table reflects the compression at the top, with Utah in range of a double-digit win regular season if it holds serve at home and then visits Kansas on Friday, November 28. Kansas State, now 5-5, can clinch bowl eligibility with a win in Salt Lake City; the Wildcats close the regular season at home against Colorado on Saturday, November 29.
This will be the Wildcats’ first game against Utah as Big 12 members and the schools’ first meeting on the gridiron. Kansas State also noted it seeks its first win in the state of Utah; historically, the Wildcats are winless in prior trips to Provo (BYU) and Logan (Utah State). Utah has built one of the league’s most distinct home-field profiles, routinely pairing a physical run game with a disruptive front seven to tilt possessions.
Matchups to watch
– Kansas State’s takeaway streak vs. Utah’s ball control: The Wildcats’ five-takeaway effort at Oklahoma State kept the scoreboard manageable. Utah, however, has protected the football during its recent run and leans on chain-moving efficiency rather than high-risk passes.
– Avery Johnson’s legs vs. Utah’s edge discipline: Utah’s defense allowed yardage at Baylor but was excellent situationally. Holding contain on third down and limiting Johnson’s scrambles could force Kansas State into longer fields and more punts.
– Jayce Brown’s status: Brown’s first-half impact in Stillwater changed spacing for Kansas State’s offense. His availability will be monitored after he appeared on the sideline in a sling in the second half, according to the team’s recap.
What they’re saying
“I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this because we won in Stillwater,” Klieman said of the November 15 victory, while cautioning the team would “find out” more on Brown’s shoulder this week.
Whittingham, after the Baylor win: “We ran the ball for almost 400 yards, which has kind of been our calling card this year.”
What’s next
Utah’s Senior Day against Kansas State precedes a short week trip to Kansas on Friday, November 28 (10 a.m. MT on ABC or ESPN). Kansas State returns to Manhattan for Senior Day on Saturday, November 29 against Colorado. For conference standings, records and game details, see the ESPN game page. For more Big 12 and college football analysis, read more on Globally Pulse Sports.
Broadcast note: Kansas State at Utah kicks at 3 p.m. CT (2 p.m. MT) on ESPN2, per the Sunday announcement; Utah lists the game as Senior Day at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
