CU Buffs put up fight, but fall at Kansas State in season finale

MANHATTAN Kansas Colorado didn t have much to play for Saturday but the Buffaloes didn t go down without a fight CU battled throughout the day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium before falling to host Kansas State - in the season finale The Buffs - - Big closed their third season under head coach Deion Sanders with a five-game losing streak Kansas State - - reached bowl eligibility with the domination Coming in as -point underdogs CU pulled within - midway through the fourth quarter but K-State put the tournament away with a -yard scoring drive in the closing minutes Kansas State s Joe Jackson ran for yards and three touchdowns on carries getting of his yards on the Wildcats final drive CU running back Micah Welch scored two touchdowns and receiver Omarion Miller caught seven passes for yards Quarterback Kaidon Salter making his first start since Nov threw for yards and an interception Related Articles Keeler How did CSU Rams land Jim Mora Give assist to this former Broncos QB CU Buffs focused on finishing strong with road trip to Kansas State CSU Rams vs Air Force Falcons football How to watch storylines and staff predictions Lack of transfer portal success played key role in CU Buffs struggles this season Renck CSU shows it is serious about football with home-run hire of Jim Mora K-State opened the tournament with an impressive and methodical -play -yard scoring drive that took minutes seconds off the clock Jackson keyed the drive with a -yard run and then capped it with a -yard touchdown run CU responded by marching to the K-State -yard line but the drive stalled there and Alejandro Mata s low field goal attempt was blocked The Buffs defense stepped up the rest of the half forcing two three-and-outs and getting a fourth-down stop by Keaten Wade near midfield Meanwhile CU kept driving into K-State territory but was stopped a yard short on fourth-and- and then Salter threw an interception The Buffs however identified various rhythm late in the half Hayden kick-started a drive with runs of and yards Then Salter hit Omarion Miller for yards to the Wildcats -yard line Micah Welch punched it into the end zone for a game-tying touchdown seconds before halftime and CU went into intermission tied - CU opened the second half with a promising drive to the K-State but gained just three yards on three straight runs including a -yarder by Hayden on fourth down that was inches shy of the first down marker Midway through the third Kansas State got a couple of big passes from Johnson to get into scoring position and Jackson punched the ball into end zone on a -yard run That gave the Wildcats a - lead with to play in the third The amount remained that way until K-State put together another long drive this one covering yards in plays and taking off the clock Luis Rodriguez drilled a -yard field goal to increase the Wildcats lead to - with to go in the fourth quarter The CU offense responded though with Salter leading a -yard drive which began with his -yard pass to Omarion Miller Welch capped the drive with his second -yard touchdown pulling the Buffs within - with to go Kansas State responded with a game-sealing nine-play -yard drive with Jackson scoring on a -yard play to make it - with to go CU was unable to mount a comeback in the closing minutes