Blake Barnett entered Saturday’s game with just five collegiate pass attempts behind him. By the end of Kansas State’s Halloween matchup with Colorado, the third-year quarterback from Erie had thrown for three touchdowns and brought the Wildcats within reach of an overtime victory. Colorado ultimately prevailed 27-24.
Barnett completed 18 of 28 passes for 224 yards without an interception after replacing Dillon Duff late in the first quarter. Kansas State was missing starting quarterback Avery Johnson, while backup Jacob Knuth had been listed as doubtful. Duff started but could not produce a first down on any of the Wildcats’ opening three possessions. Barnett took over with Colorado ahead 7-0.
Kansas State coach Collin Klein said both quarterbacks had been told to expect playing time, and Barnett had received a substantial share of work with the first team early in the week. Klein described Duff as unsettled at the start and credited Barnett with providing energy. Barnett’s first significant gain was a 9-yard run on third-and-4, followed on the Wildcats’ next possession by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Josh Manning that evened the score.
Barnett delivered another quick response in the third quarter after JaQuail Smith put Colorado ahead with a 47-yard touchdown run. Kansas State needed four plays to answer. Barnett connected with tight end Linkon Cure for 25 yards, then found him again for a 33-yard touchdown to tie the game.
His final touchdown drive began at Kansas State’s 33-yard line with 55 seconds remaining and Colorado leading 21-14. Completions of 23 and 5 yards to Manning preceded a 31-yard pass to Jaron Tibbs that reached the Colorado 3. A scramble, a spike and a delay-of-game penalty left the Wildcats at the 8 before Barnett found Garrett Oakley for a touchdown with two seconds remaining, forcing overtime.
Klein said Barnett was returning from an injury and praised his composure under pressure. Colorado safety Randon Fontenette, who said he had not known Barnett was from Colorado, also credited the quarterback’s growing comfort as the game progressed and his ability to handle the Buffaloes’ pressure.
Colorado nevertheless recorded three sacks against Barnett, two by linebacker Gideon Lampron and one by Yamil Talib. Including those losses, Barnett finished with 40 rushing yards on 16 carries. In overtime, his 6-yard completion to Oakley converted a third-and-4, but Cree Thomas and Boo Carter broke up the next two passes. Kansas State finished the possession with a field goal.
Barnett’s performance followed a decorated career at Erie High School, where he started all 43 games he appeared in and led the Tigers to a 36-7 record. He won a state championship and Class 4A Player of the Year honors as a senior. His 159 career touchdowns surpassed Christian McCaffrey’s state record, and Rivals ranked him Colorado’s top overall prospect in the 2024 class.
After redshirting in 2024, Barnett recorded 14 carries across four games last season without attempting a pass. Before Saturday, his only appearance this season came against Nicholls, when he completed four of five throws for 41 yards. Klein expressed disappointment that the Halloween effort did not end with a victory: “I’m sad we couldn’t get over the hump for him.”
