Kansas State University
Nebraska
K-State Takes Crucial Big 12 North Battle with Nebraska, 38-9
Nov 15, 2003 | Football
LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) -- Ell Roberson passed for 313 yards and the two touchdowns that broke open the game in the fourth quarter as No. 25 Kansas State clinched no worse than a share of the Big 12 North title with a 38-9 win over No. 15 Nebraska on Saturday.
It was the Wildcats' first victory in Lincoln since 1968 and, coupled with last year's 49-13 win in Manhattan, the first time K-State had defeated Nebraska in back to back seasons since the 1958, 1959 campaigns.
The loss was the first for the Huskers at home this season and just the sixth in Memorial Stadium in the last 107 games. It was also Nebraska's worst in Lincoln since a 31-0 setback against Missouri on Nov. 1, 1958.
Kansas State (9-3, 5-2 Big 12) became only the sixth visiting team to beat the Huskers (8-3, 4-3) in the last 107 games in Lincoln. The Wildcats' last win at Nebraska was 12-0 on Nov. 9, 1968.
Roberson, who ran for a career-high 228 yards and three TDs in last year's win over Nebraska in Manhattan, had another big day against the Huskers.
In addition to having his second 300-yard passing day of the season, Roberson rushed 22 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. He completed 15 of 28 passes, including touchdowns of 63 and 37 yards.
Darren Sproles, who had 155 yards and three touchdowns last year against Nebraska, had 140 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.
The Huskers managed only 77 yards in the second half and 293 for the game.
The Wildcats amassed a season-high 561 yards, 313 after halftime.
K-State scored twice in the third quarter to break a 7-7 halftime tie.
Roberson ran untouched into the end zone from 11 yards out after blitzing linebacker Bryan Hickman popped the ball loose with his blind-side hit on Nebraska's Jammal Lord, and Andrew Shull recovered inside the Cornhuskers 30.
After Nebraska went three and out, Kansas State mounted a 15-play drive that ate up more than six minutes before Joe Rheem kicked a 27-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead.
Roberson and James Terry then connected on touchdown passes of 63 and 37 yards to put the Wildcats up 31-7.
Nebraska tied it at 7 in the second quarter after Josh Bullocks ran back his Big 12-record 10th interception of the season 41 yards from out of the end zone.
Cory Ross, who had 87 yards in his first start of the season at I-back, broke a 16-yard run and turned a throwback pass into a 26-yard gain before Lord willed the Huskers into the end zone.
On third-and-4 from the 6, Kansas State defensive end Thomas Houchin started to pull down the scrambling Lord from behind. But before his knee hit the turf, Lord unloaded the ball to a wide-open Mark LeFlore in the end zone for the first offensive touchdown allowed by Kansas State in 13 quarters.
Lord completed only eight of 26 passes for 98 yards, with two interceptions. He ran 21 times for 88 yards.
The Wildcats opened the scoring on a five-play, 74-yard drive late in the first quarter. James Terry caught a 40-yard pass tipped by cornerback Pat Ricketts before Sproles scored on a 22-yard run.
Kansas State and Nebraska each had chances to take the lead before halftime, but Rheem missed a 27-yard field goal and the Huskers' David Dyches had his 30-yard attempt blocked by Houchin.
