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K-State downs Baylor in high-scoring affair

Oct 2, 2011 - 2:27 AM Manhattan, KS (Sports Network) - Robert Griffin III's first interception of the season proved costly.

Griffin threw five touchdown passes, but committed a crucial turnover in the waning minutes of the 15th-ranked Baylor Bears' 36-35 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats.

Trailing 35-33, Arthur Brown intercepted a Griffin pass to give the Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) the ball deep in Baylor territory. Four plays later, Anthony Cantele kicked a 31-yard, game-winning field goal.

"I am not going to point the finger at anyone else," said Griffin. "I am the one in Heisman race and I am the one with the ball in my hands. They picked it off, so do not go look at the film and point fingers, because it is my fault."

Griffin threw for 346 yards on 23-of-31 passing for the Bears (3-1, 0-1), while Kendall Wright had nine catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

For Kansas State, Collin Klein completed 13-of-28 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns against an interception. He carried the ball 25 times for 113 yards and a score.

Griffin, who entered Saturday leading the FBS in both quarterback rating (236.2) and completion percentage (85.4), was given a chance for redemption, as Baylor received the ball with 3:10 left following Cantele's go-ahead field goal.

The drive was short-lived, however, as Griffin's pass on 4th-and-2 was knocked down at the line of scrimmage, sealing Kansas State's dramatic victory.

The late gaffes belied Griffin's earlier precision. Klein opened the third quarter with a 63-yard run and two plays later Angelo Pease's 12-yard touchdown scamper put the Wildcats on top 26-21, but Griffin heaved a 34-yard touchdown pass to Wright on the Bears' ensuing possession. He then put Baylor on top, 35-26, with a 35-yard scoring strike to Kendall on 4th-and-5.

The aforementioned touchdown exemplified athleticism on both ends. Griffin, for his part, unleashed a high-arching spiral as the pocket collapsed, and Wright made a diving, over-the-shoulder catch in the back of the end zone to complete the play.

Early in the fourth quarter, Aaron Jones failed to add to the Baylor lead, as his 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

The Wildcats responded with a 13-play, 70-yard drive, which was capped by Klein's one-yard touchdown plunge, to make it a 35-33 contest with 5:43 remaining.

The game-changing turnover came two plays into the Bears' next drive. Griffin was hit as he threw and Brown stepped in front of the errant pass. Griffin hadn't thrown an interception in his previous 163 pass attempts.

"That was a big stand for our defense, a great opportunity against a great team and really just a chance to identify who we are as a defense," said Brown. "My energy from that last play came from me seeing enjoyment from my team."

He began the game with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jerod Monk on the Bears' first drive, but Klein responded with a 15-yard scoring strike to John Hubert.

Cantele booted field goals of 28 and 37 yards to give the Wildcats a 13-7 lead after one quarter.

Griffin and Wright connected for a 43-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and the Bears took a 21-13 lead on Tevin Reese's 42-yard touchdown catch.

Klein responded with a 24-yard touchdown strike to Chris Harper in the waning moments of the second quarter. A failed two-point conversion attempt made it 21-19 at the half.

Game Notes

The Wildcats notched their first victory over a ranked opponent since beating then-No. 7 Texas in 2007. They had dropped eight straight against the Top-25...Baylor was seeking its first 4-0 start since 1991...Entering the game, Griffin had compiled more touchdown passes (13) than interceptions (12).