BOULDER, Colo. — Avery Johnson recovered from a costly interception by hitting Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:14 left as No. 18 Kansas State beat Colorado 31-28 on Saturday night.

The dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) finished the game with a rushing score and two passing TDs, both to Brown.

The Wildcats led 21-7 in the third quarter and saw the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) steadily pull away. Colorado took the lead when Shedeur Sanders threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester with 3:12 left.

The score was set when Johnson’s tip pass led to a 59-yard interception return by cornerback Colton Hood, who came in after two-way star Travis Hunter left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.

Johnson needed just three plays to help Kansas State retake the lead. The Wildcats’ defense stopped the Buffaloes on downs, cementing the win.

For the Buffaloes, it was almost the second magical comeback in a row at Folsom Field. They beat Baylor in overtime last month after tying the score on a Hail Mary pass with no time left in regulation.

DJ Giddens finished the game with 182 yards, becoming the first receiver to break 100 yards against the Buffaloes this season.

It was a successful return to Folsom Field for Wildcats tailback Dylan Edwards. He was a true freshman with the Buffaloes last season before transferring to Kansas State. Edwards had a 1-yard TD run.

The Buffaloes’ three-game winning streak ended. Even more concerning is the health of Hunter, who apparently injured his shoulder catching a pass from Shedeur Sanders and running full speed into safety Daniel Cobbs in the second quarter.

Hunter is a Heisman prospect with hopes for his play as a cornerback and receiver. Before he left, he showed off his blocking skills by picking out a defender and allowing Wester to score on a 25-yard pass.

Before the interception and comeback, Johnson was having a lot of fun on the field. He started the “Deion Shuffle” after a score and with Colorado coach Deion Sanders on the other sideline. Johnson also took a selfie with a fan in the stands who handed him his phone while he rode an exercise bike.

Johnson briefly went to the locker room in the third quarter and held his left side, but returned to throw a TD pass that made it 21-7.

Shedeur Sanders finished 34 of 40 for 388 yards and three scores. He completed a school-best 16 passes and nearly made it 17 in a row, but Will Sheppard left a pass in his hands. Shortly thereafter, Sheppard made up for it with a difficult 7-yard TD reception to make it 21-14.

The snack bar

Kansas State: Found a way to escape with a win after giving up the lead.

Colorado: The Buffaloes struggled early on defense without Hunter, allowing 17 points on three straight drives.

Celebrity sightings

Longtime NBA star Carmelo Anthony stood on the sidelines wearing a Colorado Avalanche jersey. Kevin Durant also appeared near Colorado’s bench. The Phoenix Suns play the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game on Sunday evening.

Also in attendance was Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook.

Next

Kansas State: At West Virginia next Saturday.

Colorado: In Arizona on Saturday.

——

Get AP Top 25 poll alerts and updates throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football