The 110th Sunflower Showdown is knotted up at the end of the first quarter, 7-7 in Manhattan.
After holding the Kansas State Wildcats to a three and out, the Kansas Jayhawks struck first, putting together a 12-play, 83-yard drive that resulted in Dayne Crist's pass to Tony Pierson in the flat, who used a couple of blocks to take the ball 19 yards into the end zone.
The Wildcats responded quickly, as a John Hubert 20-yard touchdown run capped a six-play, 75-yard drive. The Wildcats looked like they had Kansas set up for a three and out until the Jayhawks faked the punt as Ron Doherty ran the ball 13 yards for a first down. The Jayhawks ended the quarter in the red zone looking to tack seven more points on the board.
The play of Pierson, who has six catches for 63 yards to pace the Jayhawks, has been the difference early in the game.