Wildcats Crush Cowboys, 44-9
Oct 12, 2002 | Football
Oct 12, 2002
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By STEVE BRISENDINE
Associated Press Writer
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Ell Roberson threw two touchdown passes and ran fortwo more scores, leading No. 19 Kansas State to a 44-9 win over Oklahoma Stateon Saturday.
Roberson's touchdown runs covered 1 yard in the third quarter and 10 yardsin the fourth. His TD passes went for 36 yards in the first quarter to TacoWallace, who finished with 101 yards on four catches, and 47 yards to JamesTerry for the Wildcats' final score.
Roberson completed 9 of 17 passes for 202 yards and an interception and ranfor 96 yards on 17 carries before being lifted for former starter Marc Dunnmidway through the fourth quarter.
Darren Sproles rushed for 130 yards on 18 carries for Kansas State (5-1, 1-1Big 12), including a juking, twisting 38-yard TD run in the first quarter for a6-0 lead.
A week after giving up 483 yards in a 35-31 loss at Colorado, the Wildcatswere solid on defense and occasionally spectacular on offense against theCowboys (2-4, 0-2).
Kansas State held Oklahoma State to 184 yards, sacked Josh Fields threetimes and forced five turnovers, including two interceptions - both leading totouchdowns - by linebacker Bryan Hickman.
Both of Hickman's interceptions came against Fields, who finished 15-for-38with two interceptions and one touchdown. Backup Aso Pogi threw twointerceptions in the closing minutes.
But while the Wildcats' offense produced 499 total yards and four touchdownplays of 27 yards or more, Kansas State also had four turnovers and failed toconvert after five of its seven touchdowns.
Joe Rheem had three of his five extra-point attempts blocked, with OklahomaState's Darrent Williams returning one of the blocks for a two-point defensiveconversion. Kansas State also came up short on both of its 2-point tries.
A flurry of plays late in the second quarter, en route to the Wildcats' 25-9halftime lead, summed up Kansas State's uneven day on offense and specialteams.
Roberson threw an interception to the Cowboys' Terrence Robinson at theOklahoma State 20, but two plays after that Hickman intercepted Fields' passand returned it to the 4, setting up Ayo Saba's 4-yard TD run for an 18-7 lead.
Rheem's conversion attempt was blocked by LaWaylon Brown, and Williamsreturned it the length of the field to cut the margin to 18-9.
Travis Wilson recovered Jared Brite's ensuing pooch kick for the Wildcats atOklahoma State's 35, and a roughing-the-passer penalty gave Kansas State afirst down at the 20. Thomas Hill caught Roberson's pass but fumbled after a7-yard gain, and Elbert Craig recovered for the Cowboys at his own 7.
Danny Morris had a 13-yard TD run for Kansas State late in the first half.
Fields threw 27 yards to Rashaun Woods in the second quarter for OklahomaState's only touchdown, cutting Kansas State's lead to 12-7.
