Wildcats Handle Tigers, 24-3
Nov 24, 2001 | Football
Nov 24, 2001
By STEVE BRISENDINE
Associated Press Writer
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Josh Scobey ran for 198 yards and two scores on 38carries and broke two school records as Kansas State became bowl-eligible witha 24-3 victory over Missouri on Saturday.
Scobey's 1,263 yards this season broke Isaac Jackson's record of 1,137, setin 1973. His two touchdowns, a 14-yarder in the second quarter and a 37-yarderin the third, gave him 31 for his career - in only two years - tying him withMack Herron (1968-69).
Scobey, who ran for 104 yards in the second quarter alone, also recorded hisseventh 100-yard game of the season for the Wildcats (6-5, 3-5 Big 12). Thatbroke a record he had shared with Jackson (1973) and J.J. Smith (1994).
Zack Abron ran for 101 yards on 15 carries for Missouri (4-6, 3-5), whichwas eliminated from bowl contention in its first season under coach GaryPinkel. Sixty-three of his yards came on one carry late in the fourth quarter,after the game was well out of reach.
The Tigers, hoping to avenge a 66-0 blowout two years ago, instead saw theirscoreless streak at KSU Stadium extended to seven quarters. Brad Kammerich's39-yard field goal with 53 seconds left broke up the shutout.
The Wildcats led 10-0 at the half and took control of the game with twoquick scores - including a safety when Missouri was called for holding in itsown end zone - early in the third quarter.
The holding penalty on tackle Justin Bland wiped out an apparent 25-yardgain by quarterback Kirk Farmer. It came one play after wide receiver JustinGage was flagged for offensive pass interference - negating his 27-yard catchto the Missouri 29.
Terence Newman returned the resulting free kick 42 yards to Missouri's 42,and two plays later Scobey broke free for his 37-yard TD and an 18-0 lead.
Both of Kansas State's first-half scores came after botched field goalattempts by the Tigers.
First, Hammerich was stopped at the Wildcats' 9-yard line - 6 inches shortof a first down - after a bad snap on a 27-yard try forced him to run the ball.Kansas State drove 91 yards in 12 plays - all runs - and went up 7-0 onScobey's 14-yard run.
Turelle Williams blocked Hammerich's 44-yard attempt with 2:11 left in thehalf - again, after a high snap - and Joe Rheem converted with a 22-yard fieldgoal as time expired.
Rheem added field goals of 32 and 38 yards in the fourth quarter for a 24-0lead.
Kansas State missed another scoring chance in the first quarter when Scobeyfumbled Ell Roberson's pitchout and Phil Pitts recovered at the Tigers 10.
Missouri's punting game was as woeful as its field-goal kicking on Saturday,with quarterback Kirk Farmer pressed into service by the suspensions ofstarting punter Jared Gilpin and backup Brock Harvey for violating team rules.He had one punt blocked and shanked the rest, averaging 16.6 yards on his fiveattempts.
Roberson aggravated his sprained left ankle when he was tackled after a10-yard gain in the first quarter. He was replaced by Marc Dunn for the secondstraight week.
Dunn was 10-for-18 for 102 yards, while Farmer - spelled briefly by DariusOutlaw in the second quarter - was 6-for-24 for 73 yards with an interception.
