4: Kansas State Wildcats 45, #4 Texas Longhorns 42 (November 11, 2006; Manhattan, KS)

Last season's big victory against the 4th ranked Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium comes in at #4 on my list of the top 10 Kansas State victories in my lifetime.

Kansas State was looking for a win to make them bowl eligible for the first time since 2003. The Longhorns came in heavy favorites, but the Wildcats broke out the tricks and gave Texas all they wanted. Texas struck first in the game on a fourth and goal 1-yard touchdown run by QB Colt McCoy, but that TD came at a price as McC0y injured his shoulder and didn't play the rest of the game for Texas. On his only drive, McCoy went 4-4 passing for 51 yards for the 'Horns. K-State answered quickly with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Josh Freeman to Yamon Figurs to tie the game at 7. Texas got back up by a touchdown, and then K-State quickly got the game tied up again, this time on a 32-yard screen pass from Freeman to James Johnson that went for a TD. This is when the electrifying play really began for K-State. Texas was forced to punt on their next drive, and Figurs returned the punt 52 yards to the Longhorns' 8-yard line, where Leon Patton took the first play of the drive into the end-zone for and 8-yard touchdown run to put K-State ahead 21-14 at the half.

Texas tied the game coming out of halftime after they blocked a K-State punt at the Wildcats' 5. On Texas' next drive, Ian Campbell recovered a fumble forced by Justin Roland. K-State took advantage and used their bag of tricks in the process. K-State needed just five plays to go 80 yards as Freeman hit Figurs for 29 yards on a pass play, then WR Jordy Nelson completed a 28 yard pass to Rashaad Norwood, and on the very next play the drive was capped off with a 18 yard touchdown pass by tailback Leon Patton to Cedric Wilson. On their very next drive, Texas fumbled away to K-State again, and Campbell again recovered the fumble. This time it took the Wildcats just one play to get into the end zone, as Freeman hit Figurs on a 30-yard strike. Just when things couldn't get better for K-State, John McCardle blocked a Texas punt on their very next drive to set K-State up at the Longhorns' 23-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Freeman hit TE Jeron Mastrud over the middle for a 20-yard play down to the 1-yard line, and Freeman capped it off with a 1-yard TD run. The score was now 42-21, the only problem was that it was still the third quarter, and Texas is known for scoring in quick spurts.

Texas did just that. They put together a 4-play, 75 yard drive to cut the deficit to 14. To start the fourth quarter, Freeman threw an interception, and the Longhorns needed just one play of 33 yards to cut the deficit to a touchdown. With plenty of time left in the fourth, the Wildcats needed one more score. And in the dramatic fashion of the game, they got the score on a 51-yard field goal by Jeff Snodgrass to put the Wildcats up 45-35 with just 3:19 left in the game. Texas scored another touchdown on their next drive to cut the lead to 45-42, but all K-State needed was a first down on their ensuing drive to cap off the big win, and on a 3rd and 1 play, Nelson gained six yards on a pass from Freeman to seal the deal. K-State fans rushed the field and Kansas State was bowl eligible after beating the #4 team in the country.

Freeman ended the game with 269 yards on 19-31 passing and had three touchdowns. Figurs caught six passes for 123 yards and had 175 all-purpose yards in the win. The Wildcats had four players complete a pass in the win. Freeman, Nelson, Patton and Dylan Meier all completed a pass for Kansas State. The Wildcat defense frustrated Jevan Snead, McCoy's replacement at QB, as he completed just 13 of his 30 pass attempts for 190 yards and was sacked five times. It was a huge win for a Kansas State team that was searching for something to be excited about after failing to make a bowl game two years in a row. Final Score 45-42.

Coming tomorrow...Please! There's no comparison here!!

5: #25 Kansas State Wildcats 27, #11 USC Trojans 20 (September 21, 2002; Manhattan, KS)

Today we move into the Top 5 K-State victories, and at #5 we have the 2002 meeting between the Wildcats and the USC Trojans at KSU Stadium in Manhattan. The Trojans came in ranked 11th in the country, while the Wildcats had just cracked back into the Top 25 after having a disappointing 2001 season.

This win is widely recognized as the biggest win in Manhattan for K-State against a non-conference foe. The USC Trojans were stacked, and later that season competed in the Orange Bowl. Their QB Carson Palmer was simply the best QB in the nation that year and also probably the best player as he won the 2002 Heisman Trophy, and ended up being the #1 pick in the June NFL draft by the Bengals. However just like in 1998 when the Wildcats shut down eventual Heisman winner Ricky Williams, Palmer was also frustrated by the Lynch Mob. K-State held Palmer to just 18-47 passing for 186 yards and just one touchdown, while also sacking him twice.

The Wildcats offense was the main concern at the start of the game. Starting QB Marc Dunn struggled so much in the first quarter that Bill Snyder went to the bench and found a guy by the name of Ell Roberson to take Dunn's place. With the success that Ell had at K-State many peopel forget that he did not start the first four games of the '02 season. Roberson took advantage of his opportunity and led K-State to a touchdown in the 2nd quarter on a pass play to James Terry and he also scored on a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put K-State up 27-6 at that point. Roberson ended the game 10-15 passing for 134 yards and a TD and also gained 70 yards on the ground on 23 carries with a touchdown. Darren Sproles (pictured, upper left) was K-State's leading rusher with 78 yards on 20 carries, and Taco Wallace caught five passes for 81 yards to lead the Cats in receiving. Terence Newman (lower right) provided the biggest highlight of the game right after USC scored their only touchdown in the first half. As the second quarter was closing out, K-State led 10-6 after the USC score. The PAT attempt was blocked, and Newman picked it up at the 2 yard line on the right hash, weaved in and out of USC traffic and took it all the way down the left sideline 98 yards for two more points for K-State as they went into the half with a 12-6 lead.

USC tried their hardest to get back in the game after trailing 27-6, but the closest they would get would be the final. Keary Colbert led USC with 125 of the 186 yards that Palmer threw for in the game, but it wasn't enough. Final score 27-20.

Coming tomorrow...Stampede!!!

6: #10 Kansas State Wildcats 35, #14 Syracuse Orangemen 18 (December 31, 1997; Tempe, AZ)-Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

The sixth top game on the countdown of my Top 10 Kansas State victories is the 1997 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, AZ. The Wildcats took on the high-powered offense of Syracuse and picked up one of the biggest wins in program history in their first ever Bowl Alliance game.

The Syracuse Orangemen had highly touted QB Donovan McNabb leading their team and had won 8 straight games. Kansas State had won seven straight themselves, so somebody's streak had to be snapped. It was a matchup of All-American quarterbacks and on this stage at Sun Devil Stadium, K-State's Michael Bishop overshadowed and easily outplayed Donovan McNabb on his way to Offensive Player of the Game honors. Bishop finished the game 14-23 passing for 317 yards, which is an unbelievable average of 22.6 yards per completion, while also throwing 4 TD passes in the game. Bishop was also K-State's leading rusher with 77 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. KSU wideout Darnell McDonald averaged a stunning 29.4 yards per reception in the game and made a great case for Offensive Player of the game, scoring three touchdowns and gaining 206 yards on seven catches. The most impressive of his seven catches was a 77-yard touchdown reception from Bishop, the longest touchdown in Fiesta Bowl history. McDonald was racing down the sideline, was shoved by Syracuse defensive back Rod Gadson, kept his footing while tip-toeing down the sideline and stayed inbounds for the long score. K-State Tight End Justin Swift also had a great game with a touchdown catch and 98 yards on 5 receptions.

McNabb was far from completely shut down for Syracuse, but Bishop was the hero. McNabb completed just 16 of his 39 pass attempts for 271 yards and ran the ball 16 times for 81 yards, but more importantly was held out of the end zone through the air and on the ground the entire game.

With the win in the Fiesta Bowl, Kansas State completed what is still their best overall season record in school history, finishing 11-1. Final Score 35-18.

Coming tomorrow...What is it with these Heisman winners?

7: #5 Kansas State Wildcats 48, Texas Longhorns 7 (September 19, 1998; Manhattan, KS)

The 7th top game on the countdown is Kansas State's domination of Texas at KSU Stadium in 1998. Granted the Wildcats were definitely favored to win the game and it was just one of their dominant wins in the 1998 season in which they finished the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record. However, it's was the defenses performance against one of college football's all-time greats that makes this win so special.

The Longhorns offense showcased the nation's top running back, Ricky Williams. Williams ended up winning the Heisman trophy in 1998 and ran for 2,124 yards on his way to becoming the career rushing leader in the NCAA. However, he didn't earn all of those distinctions based on this game alone. The "Lynch Mob" defense of Kansas State focused on Williams and shut him down like nobody could have imagined. K-State's defense held Ricky to just 43 yards on 25 carries, holding Texas to a total of 53 rushing yards as a team.

The Wildcats scored early and often in this one, as they took a 35-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. Texas did not score until the fourth quarter. K-State scored in a variety of ways as well. On the ground, through the air, and more importantly on defense and special teams. David Allen scored on a 93-yard punt return and Jeff Kelly picked off a Major Applewhite pass and took it 17 yards to the house. K-State running back Eric Hickson (pictured) easily outgained Texas by himself, with 16 carries and 124 yards while also scoring a touchdown. Michael Bishop, who finished second to Williams in Heisman voting in 1998, completed 14 of his 20 pass attempts for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Most of those receiving yards went to Darnell McDonald, who caught 11 passes for 159 yards and caught both of Bishop's TD throws. The Wildcats dominating victory was the first of many impressive wins in 1998. Final score 48-7.

Coming probably on Monday...I'll take Bishop!

8: #16 Kansas State Wildcats 29, #4 Nebraska Cornhuskers 28 (November 11, 2000; Manhattan, KS)

The 8th top game on the countdown is the 2000 "Snow Bowl" against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at KSU Stadium. The Wildcats were looking to win the Big 12 North Championship and Nebraska was their biggest obstacle. The Huskers scored early on a blocked punt returned for a TD by Keyou Craver. Nebraska led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Kansas State was able to come back in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to lead 23-14, but Dan Alexander scored two touchdowns on the ground in the 4th quarter and Nebraska regained a 28-23 lead late in the fourth. As the sleet turned into snow in Manhattan, K-State turned to their leader the entire game, which was Quincy Morgan. As the snow was at it's strongest force in the whole game, Jonathan Beasley hit Morgan for a 12 yard TD pass on a slant pattern across the middle. The Wildcats tried for two but failed, but the damage was done as Nebraska was forced into a fourth down passing situation on their final drive and Dyshod Carter broke up Eric Crouch's pass intended for Matt Davison.

Morgan ended the game with an average of 28.4 yards per reception, gaining 199 yards on just 7 catches with two touchdowns. Beasley struggled, but came through when K-State needed him most. He ended the game 12-36 passing with 234 yards and two TD's. Josh Scobey was KSU's leading rusher with 62 yards on 26 carries and also scored a touchdown on the ground. The Kansas State fans were crazy on this snowy night in November as it was just the second win for K-State over Nebraska in 32 games. Needless to say the goalposts came down after this one. Final Score: 29-28.

Coming tomorrow...Heisman? You didn't earn that against us!

9: #20 Kansas State Wildcats 52, Wyoming Cowboys 17 (December 29, 1993; Tucson, AZ)-Weiser Lock Copper Bowl

When Bill Snyder took the job as head coach of the Wildcats, he was asked to perform the greatest turnaround in the history of college football, and it started with a win over North Texas State in 1989, and culminated with K-State's second bowl game appearance in their long history. In 1993 the Wildcats took on the high-powered offense of Wyoming in the Weiser Lock Copper Bowl.

Wyoming got out to an early 3-0 lead, but it was all K-State from there. J.J. Smith scored K-State's first touchdown, starting what would be a total domination by KSU. The Wildcats racked up 502 total yards, and Andre Coleman (pictured) was responsible for more than half of that with 283 total yards. Coleman was named the MVP of the game and scored two touchdowns, one on a 68 yard punt return to put K-State up 24-10 at halftime and the other was right after halftime on a 61-yard pass reception from Chad May to put the game out of Wyoming's reach. Coleman ended the game with 8 receptions for 144 yards, while May racked up 275 yards on 19-28 passing. J.J. Smith led Kansas State on the ground with 133 yards on 20 carries. D-back Kenny McEntyre capped things off for K-State with a 37 yard interception return for at TD as K-State picked up their first bowl win in school history and finished the '93 season with a 9-2-1 record. Final Score 52-17.


Coming tomorrow...Let It Snow!

10: #14 Kansas State Wildcats 41, #6 Kansas Jayhawks 7 (October 28, 1995; Manhattan, KS)

The 10th top game in the countdown is the 1995 meeting between Kansas State and Kansas at KSU Stadium in Manhattan. This was the first and still the only meeting in the Sunflower Showdown in which both teams were ranked in the Top 25. KU was 7-0, K-State was 6-1 and the Wildcats built an early lead and never looked back. It's always a must to beat the Jayhawks, and this was just one of the 11 straight wins the Wildcats put up in the series. K-State gained 335 yards on the ground and had two 100 yard rushers. Eric Hickson led KSU with 121 yards on just 15 carries, while Mike Lawrence ran 20 times for 118 yards. The Wildcats gained 454 yards of total offense, while the defense held KU to just 155 offensive yards. Kevin Lockett had a great game as well, catching five passes for 58 yards, including two touchdown receptions from Matt Miller. Again, it was KU's first loss of the 1995 season, and it was a big loss. Final score 41-7.

Coming tomorrow...K-State goes bowling

Countdowns

I am so excited for football season to start that I am going to start my first blogs with a daily countdown of my Top 10 K-State football games. These are the games that I was most emotional about and think are the top victories that Kansas State has notched since I have been a fan, which means since about 92 or 93 when I started to understand what it all meant. I'm sure many will agree with the games, but possibly not the spots that they are in.