MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 17 Kansas State knew West Virginia would try to shut down Big 12 leader DJ Giddens, and that allowed quarterback Avery Johnson to put together a career game.

Johnson threw three touchdown passes in the Wildcats' 45-18 win over West Virginia on Saturday night, and Kansas State (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) is off to its best start since 2014.

Giddens scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards but was held to a season-low 57 yards, 74 below his average. Johnson dismantled West Virginia's injury-depleted secondary, finishing 19 of 29 for a career-high 298 yards.

“Avery's progress as a passer has been phenomenal, and today he was so poised,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “The boy is calm. He is patient. And he understands things and he liked our game plan. He doesn't get nervous. “He stays in the pocket and it's fun to watch, especially when we were struggling to move the football forward.”

Johnson escaped the grasp of West Virginia defensive lineman Sean Martin and threw an 11-yard pass to Ty Bowman on fourth down to keep alive a third-quarter drive that ended with Johnson hitting Garrett Oakley for a 16-yarder -Score hit.

On Kansas State's next series, Johnson and Giddens combined for a 53-yard pass to the West Virginia 1, and Johnson hit tight end Will Anciaux in the end zone for a 31-10 lead, sending Mountaineer fans flocking to the exits sent.

Giddens rushed for at least 182 yards in two straight games.

“West Virginia had to respect that and they loaded the box tonight and said, 'DJ wouldn't beat us,'” Johnson said. “And our receivers and tight ends stepped up and made big plays for me.”

Johnson also praised his coaches for coming up with a plan to find gaps in West Virginia's defense, and “I just progressed and took advantage of those.”

The Mountaineers (3-4, 2-2) lost their third home game and lost to a ranked opponent for the ninth straight time.

West Virginia's Garrett Greene threw two interceptions that led to touchdowns for the second straight week. Marques Sigle stepped in front of a pass and returned it 43 yards, giving the Wildcats a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter.

Greene finished 9 of 19 for 85 yards and a touchdown along with the two interceptions. The Big 12's top rushing quarterback had 89 yards on the ground. But Greene, West Virginia running back Jahiem White and offensive lineman Wyatt Milum did not play in the second half. Coach Neal Brown said after the game that he believed four players suffered head injuries, but did not link them to specific individuals.

“We have a dilapidated locker room, probably the most injuries I can remember in the first half,” Brown said.

West Virginia was limited to 63 total yards in the second half.

Backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol completed 6 of 13 yards and a touchdown in Greene's absence.

The takeaway food

Kansas State: The Wildcats adjusted on offense after West Virginia shut down Giddens from the start. Johnson, who also had a 60-yard TD pass to Jadon Jackson in blow coverage in the first quarter, had eight completions of at least 15 yards.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers are 34-33 under Brown, their sixth-year coach. This may be the worst six-year stretch under a West Virginia coach since Gene Corum posted a 29-30 record from 1960-65.

Impact on the survey

Kansas State could move up a few spots in the AP Top 25 poll after the convincing win.

Next

Kansas State: Hosts Kansas next Saturday.

West Virginia: Plays at Arizona next Saturday.

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