Kansas State faced a daunting task when DJ Giddens, one of the top running backs in the Big 12, opted out of the Rate Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.

Dylan Edwards showed the Wildcats and their fans they had nothing to worry about. Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State rally past Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl on Thursday night.

“Dylan and those young guys, those kids are really good players,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “They just need belief and confidence.”

They got it in the desert — after some early stumbles.

The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 at halftime and went up 34-17 on Ja’shon Benjamin’s 7-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) stormed back.

Raynor, Wallace lead Arkansas State past Bowling Green: Jaylen Raynor passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns to go with a rushing score, and Zak Wallace had 99 yards rushing and a TD to help Arkansas State beat Bowling Green 38-31 on Thursday night in the 68 Ventures Bowl.

TODAY’S bowl GAMEs

FENWAY BOWL UConn (8-4, Independent) vs. North Carolina (6-6, ACC) 11 a.m. EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Boston NOTABLE: The Tar Heels have the 35th-ranked offense in the FBS, averaging 32.3 points per game. The Huskies’ defense is 57th, allowing 23.8 points per contest.

PINSTRIPE BOWL Boston College(7-5, ACC) vs. Nebraska (6-6, Big Ten) Noon EST (ABC) LOCATION: Bronx, New York NOTABLE: The Cornhuskers average 3.8 yards per carry (96th in college football) compared to the 3.6 per rushing attempt the Eagles allow (24th in the FBS).

NEW MEXICO BOWL Louisiana-Lafayette (10-3, Sun Belt) vs.

TCU (8-4, Big 12) 2:15 p.m. EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico NOTABLE: The Horned Frogs have the 114th-ranked rushing offense in the FBS (114.3 yards per game). They take on the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 81st-ranked rushing defense, which allows 157.6 on the ground per game.

POP-TARTS BOWL No. 18 Iowa State (10-3, Big 12) vs. No. 13 Miami (10-2, ACC) 3:30 p.m. EST (ABC) LOCATION: Orlando, Florida NOTABLE: The Hurricanes are a highly-ranked rushing attack in terms of yards per carry (13th in college football at 5.5), and will have a favorable matchup against the 112th-ranked defense in that category, as the Cyclones give up 5.1. Iowa State has the 67th-ranked rushing offense in the FBS (161.7 yards per game). It takes on Miami (FL)’s 16th-ranked rushing defense, which gives up 110.1 on the ground per game.

ARIZONA BOWL Miami (Ohio)(8-5, MAC) vs. Colorado State (8-4, Mountain West) 4:30 p.m. EST (CW Network) LOCATION: Tucson, Arizona NOTABLE: The RedHawks’ offense ranks 106th in the FBS at 22.6 points per game. They will be facing the Rams’ defense which allows 24.3 per game (62nd in college football).

MILITARY BOWL East Carolina (7-5, AAC) vs. N.C. State (6-6, ACC) 5:45 p.m. EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Annapolis, Maryland NOTABLE: The RedHawks’ offense ranks 106th in the FBS at 22.6 points per game. They will be facing the Rams’ defense which allows 24.3 per game (62nd in college football).

ALAMO BOWL No. 17 BYU (10-2, Big 12) vs. No. 23 Colorado (9-3, Big 12) 7:30 p.m. EST (ABC) LOCATION: San Antonio NOTABLE: The Cougars allow 136.7 rushing yards per game (43rd in the FBS). The Buffaloes’ rushing game ranks 134th in college football (70.4). BYU ranks 52nd in the FBS averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Colorado gives up 3.8 per rushing attempt (35th in college football).

INDEPENDENCE BOWL Louisiana Tech (5-7, Conference USA) vs. No. 22 Army (11-2, AAC) 9:15 p.m. EST (ESPN) LOCATION: Shreveport, Louisiana NOTABLE: The Bulldogs give up 181.8 passing yards per game (22nd in college football). The Black Knights accumulate 81.8 (134th).