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

Monday, July 16, 2007

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?

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