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Game updates, live score of the 2024 season opener
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Game updates, live score of the 2024 season opener

MANHATTAN — Kansas State football opens the 2024 season Saturday night against Tennessee-Martin, an FCS school in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference.

The Wildcats, who finished last year with a 9-4 record and tied for fourth in the Big 12 at 6-3, were tipped to finish second in the conference this year. They are also nationally ranked to start the season for the second straight year, coming in at No. 17 in the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll.

Chris Klieman enters his sixth season as head coach of the Wildcats, having gone 39-24 in his first five years.

UT-Martin has won three consecutive conference championships under Jason Simpson, who has been head coach for 19 years, and is the favorite to win the Big South-OVC again this season.

The game marks the long-awaited debut at quarterback for sophomore Avery Johnson, who was Will Howard’s backup last year before leading the Wildcats to a win over North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Related: Veterans of the Kansas State football team are excited for the season opener every year

Related: Our four bold predictions for Kansas State football heading into the 2024 season

Watch Kansas State football vs. UT-Martin live on ESPN+

K-State’s Jayce Brown fumbled a nice kickoff return in the second half and UT-Martin recovered the ball at the Wildcat 33-yard line, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Jaren Van Winkle.

K-State’s lead was cut to 17-6 with 9:29 left in the third quarter.

Both of the Wildcat turnovers led to UTM field goals.

Kansas State dominated statistically in the first half, but still led only 17-3. The Wildcats had 184 total yards to UT-Martin’s 83, but the Skyhawks took advantage of the game’s only turnover, an Avery Johnson interception, to get on the board with a field goal in the second quarter.

Johnson completed 9 of 14 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown to Brayden Loftin in the half and the Wildcats had 102 yards rushing, led by DJ Giddens with 62. The Wildcat defense had three sacks and seven tackles for loss in the half.

Kansas State answered UTM’s field goal with a goal of its own when Chris Tennant scored from 43 yards out with 21 seconds left in the half. The kick capped a seven-play, 40-yard drive.

Avery Johnson’s first career interception comes back to bite K-State as UTM drives 51 yards in eight plays to get on the board with a 34-yard Jaren Van Winkle field goal. K-State still leads 14-3 with 7:16 left in the half.

Kansas State leads UT-Martin 14-0 after one quarter.

After the defense stopped UT-Martin cold, K-State’s Ty Bowman blocks a punt and Colby McCalister catches the ball at the 1-yard line for the touchdown, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 14-0.

After stalling on its first possession, K-State went 80 yards in seven plays to get on the board with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to wide-open tight end Brayden Loftin. DJ Giddens added a 32-yard run to cap the drive.

Kansas State’s defense will take the field first

Kansas State will kick off the game and begin the 2024 season with a touchback.

Kansas State has announced that tonight’s game is officially sold out. It’s the Wildcats’ 15th consecutive home sellout.

Kansas State vs UT-Martin time today

  • Date: Saturday August 31st
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan

On which channel will the Team A vs Team B match be broadcast today?