COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Kansas State tuned out the criticism from last week's loss and the focus showed against Texas A&M on Saturday.

Josh Freeman completed 21 of 26 passes and ran for four touchdowns as the Wildcats snapped its five-game losing streak to the Aggies with a 44-30 win at Kyle Field.

Courtney Herndon returned a blocked punt for a touchdown for the Wildcats (4-2, 1-1 Big 12), who moved the ball at will in the first half and led 27-10 at the break.

The Wildcats were coming off a 58-28 loss to Texas Tech. The players faced questions all week from fans and media about what went wrong, but once they got to practice each day, the humbling loss was forgotten.

"The guys came out and responded really well from all the negativity last week," said Freeman. "We just kind of locked ourselves in the complex and drew closer as a unit, coaching staff and players alike. We realized the common goal was we needed to win."

Sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson tried to rally the Aggies, but the comeback stalled when Kansas State's defense stuffed Jorvorskie Lane twice at the goal line early through the fourth quarter.

"I take full responsibility for not getting a touchdown," Lane said. "I mean, put it on me."

Freeman led a 16-play, 98-yard drive the other way and sealed the win on a short touchdown run with 4:37 left. Freeman said Kansas State coach Ron Prince asked for exactly that after the defense stopped the 270-pound Lane.

"He said this was a game-defining drive," Freeman said. "He said we need 16 plays to take eight minutes off the clock to end this thing. We were able to do it."

Johnson, starting again for the injured Stephen McGee, completed 29 of 41 passes for a school-record 419 yards. He also ran for a score and finished with 487 total yards, also a school record.

The Aggies (2-4) gave up 451 yards and dropped to 0-2 in the Big 12 for the first time.

K-State 44, Texas A&M 30 Kansas St. 7 20 3 14--44

Texas A&M 3 7 6 14--30

First Quarter

KSt -- Freeman 12 run (Rossman kick), 11:45.

TAM -- FG Bullock 26, 4:44.

Second Quarter

KSt -- Herndon 10 blocked punt return (kick failed), 14:47.

KSt -- Dold 4 run (Rossman kick), 7:39.

KSt -- Freeman 11 run (Rossman kick), 4:20.

TAM -- Lane 1 run (Bullock kick), 1:32.

Third Quarter

KSt -- FG Rossman 49, 7:53.

TAM -- Johnson 5 run (kick failed), 2:43.

Fourth Quarter

KSt -- Freeman 1 run (Rossman kick), 4:37.

TAM -- Goodson 23 pass from Johnson (Bullock kick), 3:30.

KSt -- Freeman 4 run (Rossman kick), 1:14.

TAM -- Tannehill 55 pass from Johnson (Bullock kick), :31.

A -- 78,669.

KSt TAM

First downs 30 25

Rushes-yards 47-215 33-125

Passing 234 419

Comp-Att-Int 21-26-0 29-41-0

Return Yards 15 10

Punts-Avg. 1-42.0 2-29.0

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-1

Penalties-Yards 2-25 9-65

Time of Possession 32:15 27:45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Kansas St., Dold 21-115, Freeman 18-95, Valentine 3-11, Murphy 2-0, Team 3-(minus 6). Texas A&M, Johnson 17-68, Goodson 6-36, Gray 6-17, K.Smith 1-2, Lane 3-2.

PASSING -- Kansas St., Freeman 21-26-0-234. Texas A&M, Johnson 29-41-0-419.

RECEIVING -- Kansas St., Quarles 9-102, Mastrud 5-43, Banks 4-59, Murphy 1-15, Valentine 1-8, Dold 1-7. Texas A&M, Tannehill 12-210, Fuller 7-78, J.McCoy 4-43, Morrow 2-42, Goodson 2-30, Gray 2-16.