MANHATTAN, Kan. — The undefeated Kansas State Wildcats added another chapter to their dream season on Saturday night, after a 44-30 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The Wildcats’ quest for a national title continues, and they continue to win the turnover battle. The defense had five takeaways, and turned three of them into touchdowns.
The Cowboys (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) drew first blood with a 54-yard TD pass from freshman quarterback Wes Lunt to freshman wide receiver Austin Hays on their first possession.
K-State (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) had the answer, and then some. Junior running back John Hubert capped a 75-yd drive with a 1-yd rushing TD to tie it up at 7-7. With 10:51 left in the second quarter, Hubert added another rushing TD to give the Cats a 17-7 lead.
After the defense held the Cowboys to a field goal, sophomore WR Tyler Lockett returned the next kickoff 100 yards for a TD to put the Cats up 24-10. The Cowboys answered with authority, as sophomore RB Desmond Roland returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a TD to narrow the gap to 24-17.
With 2:43 remaining in the first half, Lunt threw an interception to K-State senior defensive back Allen Chapman, who returned the pick 29 yards for a TD. The Wildcats led 31-17 at halftime.
On the first possession of the second half, Lunt threw his third pick of the game, this time to K-State’s senior DB Nigel Malone. The Cats turned it into a 93-yd TD drive, and took a 38-17 lead with 9:47 to play in the third quarter.
K-State senior QB and Heisman Trophy frontrunner Collin Klein turned in another masterful performance, but left the game in the third quarter with an apparent wrist injury. Klein finished the game 16 of 22 for 245 yards. He also had 17 carries for 64 yards and a TD.
Cowboys junior QB Clint Chelf sparked a 10-point fourth quarter rally by the Cowboys, but to no avail. With 2:06 left to play in the fourth, Chapman got his third interception of the day after picking off Chelf’s fourth down conversion attempt in the Wildcats’ end zone.
Chelf still finished 16 of 27 for 233 yards, with a TD and an INT. He also ran for 33 yards on four carries.
Next Saturday, K-State travels to Fort Worth, Texas to take on the Texas Christian Horned Frogs.
