CFB World Debates Kansas State’s Bold Fourth Down Attempt in Overtime at Texas

The Wildcats went for the win in overtime rather than attempt a field goal to tie and extend the game.

No. 23 Kansas State nearly finished off an incredible comeback at No. 7 Texas, rallying from a 20-point deficit to push the Longhorns to overtime. However, a bold fourth down call by Wildcats coach Chris Klieman likely will be debated by K-State fans for some time, after the team fell short in Austin, 33–30.

After kicker Chris Tennant hit a 45-yard field goal to send the game to overtime with just seconds left in regulation, Kansas State’s defense held Texas to a field goal to open the extra frame. The Wildcats looked poised to win after Will Howard connected with Ben Sinnott on a 19-yard pass to start their drive, giving the team a first down from the Longhorns’ 6-yard line.

That would be the last big play surrendered by the Texas defense on the afternoon.

Howard rushed for two yards on first down and then threw back-to-back incompletions, forcing fourth-and-goal for the Wildcats. Rather than kick a field goal and send the game into a second overtime, Klieman made the bold call to go for the win on the road.

Kansas State came out with an empty backfield, and Texas defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Barryn Sorrell got tremendous pressure on Howard, forcing a desperation heave as he nearly hit the turf for the sack. The throw, which was nearly intercepted, fell incomplete, sealing Texas’s win.

No. 7 Texas holds off No. 23 Kansas State in OT ????

(via @CFBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/klm4iTPF7K

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 4, 2023

After the game, Klieman laid out his decision in very simple terms, per Kansas State reporter D. Scott Fritchen: “We didn’t come here to keep playing for ties. We came here to try and win the game.”

Klieman added that he does not regret the call after the fact.

Chris Klieman says there was no hesitation to go for the win on the final play of overtime.

"If I had it all over again I would do it again. We had to end that game when we had the chance."

— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) November 4, 2023

A field goal was no certainty, as the Wildcats missed one kick and botched a snap and hold on an extra point that would have given the team a 28–27 lead in the fourth quarter.

As the game ended, the debate online began almost immediately. Some fans and pundits defended Klieman’s call to try to win the game at that moment rather than go to a second overtime on the road. Others cited Kansas State’s solid defensive performance late in the game as a reason to extend the game against Longhorns backup quarterback Maalik Murphy and the Texas offense.

I’m convinced that a lot of these guys are more scared of coming on Twitter after the game and being called a coward than actually losing a game https://t.co/Eyt0TUg9gT

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 4, 2023

If you’re Chris Klieman, what the hell are doing going for that on 4th down? Texas offense was absolutely anemic. Get a TD in 2OT and it’s curtains. What a horrible decision.

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) November 4, 2023

I'm sorry... but that was a horrific decision by Chris Klieman.

UT's offense was being led by a QB that hadn't done anything since the first quarter.

Everything is on K-State's side if you just keep playing.

— Soren Petro (@SorenPetro) November 4, 2023

If only we had a kicker who could make the short field goals.. don’t blame Klieman for not kicking the field goal.

— ????robert???? (@RobertKSUfan) November 4, 2023

Post game clarity:

Will Howard: hero status.

Chris Klieman: Totally fine going for the win.

Collin Klein: This is on you. You set Will up to fail too many times to count.

— James *Big 12 Champs* Krotz ???????? (@KrotzOfKansas) November 4, 2023

I can't wait for people to be wildly wrong about KSU going for it on fourth down. Lesser team, on the road, you got a chance to win, you take it.

— Josh McCuistion (@Josh_Scoop) November 4, 2023

Texas moves to 8–1 (5–1 Big 12) with the win, while Kansas State falls to 6–3 (4–2) on the season.