If you like chaos, heartbreak, and last-second drama, Saturday night in Waco delivered all of it and more. Baylor erased a two-touchdown deficit and pulled off an epic 35-34 victory over Kansas State, capped by a 53-yard game-winning field goal from Connor Hawkins with just 31 seconds left.

It wasn’t just the kick — it was the sequence that got them there. Linebacker Jacob Redding jumped a route and raced 66 yards for a pick-six, flipping the game on its head in the final five minutes.

Kansas State (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) had a final shot to steal it back, but a 56-yard field goal attempt was swatted at the line by 6-foot-4 defensive end Cooper Lanz with 2 seconds left — preserving a gritty win for the Bears (4-2, 2-1).

“It’s a roller coaster for sure, an emotional roller coaster,” said Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson. “We’re going to fight to the very end. Because of that, we put ourselves in a position to win.”

The Fourth-Quarter Frenzy

Kansas State led 31-17 late in the third quarter and looked to be in control behind sophomore QB Avery Johnson, who threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another.

But then Baylor — and wideout Michael Trigg — exploded.

• Trigg: 8 catches, 155 yards, including a one-handed sideline grab for 29 yards

• Next play: 11-yard TD pass from Robertson to Bryson Washington

• Two-point conversion: Robertson rushes it in, cutting it to 31-25

The dagger came moments later when Johnson threw into traffic and Redding took it 66 yards the other way to put Baylor ahead 32-31. Hawkins nailed the PAT.

Back and Forth to the Final Whistle

Kansas State responded with a late drive, reaching the Baylor 2-yard line, but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Luis Rodriguez with 1:48 left, reclaiming the lead at 34-32.

That left too much time.

Hawkins — who had already tied his career-long with a 53-yard field goal earlier this season — drilled another 53-yarder with 31 seconds left, capping a wild night in Waco.

Player of the Game: Michael Trigg

The USC/Ole Miss transfer finally broke out with a career performance:

• 8 receptions

• 155 receiving yards

• Multiple highlight-reel catches, including one that had K-State coach Chris Klieman shaking his head:

“We knew we had a mismatch nightmare on the kid,” Klieman said.

Takeaways

Baylor:

• QB Sawyer Robertson: 345 passing yards, 2 TDs

• Ends his streak of 3+ TD games at 5

• Bears move to 4-2 with momentum heading into a bye

Kansas State:

• Wildcats have led or been tied in the 4th quarter in all 3 of their losses

• Now 0-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer

• Lack of execution in crunch time continues to haunt

“We did things well enough to win, but we didn’t earn the win,” Klieman said.

What’s Next

• Kansas State (2-4): Hosts TCU next Saturday.

• Baylor (4-2): Heads into a bye week before a Thursday night showdown at TCU on October 18.

Final Word

From a 14-point comeback to a game-winning kick to a blocked desperation field goal, Baylor’s win over Kansas State wasn’t just a victory — it was a statement of grit, resilience, and just enough madness to remind us why college football reigns supreme in the fall.