Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson shined passing the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

MORGANTOWN — No. 17 Kansas State knew that West Virginia would try to shut down Big 12 rushing leader DJ Giddens, and that enabled 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,

The No. 17-ranked Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) got a big game from quarterback Avery Johnson, who passed for a career-high 298 yards and three touchdowns. West Virginia (3-4, 2-2) lost at home for the second straight week.

The West Virginia Mountaineers placed all of their focus on shutting down Kansas State's rushing attack on Saturday night. The Mountaineers did so successfully,

Kansas State's DJ Giddens scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards. The Big 12 rushing leader was held to a season-low 57 yards. But Johnson picked apart West Virginia's injury-depleted secondary, finishing 19 of 29 for a career-high 298 yards.

With West Virginia determined to shut down Kansas State football's run game, Avery Johnson took matters into his own hands with a career passing day.

Avery Johnson throws a 60-yard pass to Jadon Jackson for a Kansas State touchdown vs. West Virginia.

Avery Johnson threw for career highs in yards (298) and touchdowns (three) in his eighth career start as No. 17 Kansas State dominated host West Virginia 45-18 on Saturday night.