Quick quiz: Name the only Big 12 team that's ranked in the Top 5 in the nation in total defense, rushing defense and rushing offense.
Now, name the only Big 12 team that has beaten Nebraska two out of the past three years.
Here's a hint: It's the same team that got trounced by Texas Tech, needed its current two-game winning streak just to get to 4-4, and is desperately clawing for a bowl berth.
You guessed it.
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| Ell Roberson is finally back at full strength after suffering an ankle injury. |
In 2001, the Kansas State Wildcats -- long the model of stubborn consistency -- have been about as temperamental on the field as their coach is off of it.
First, they lose by a point at Oklahoma with a chance to shock the world in the closing seconds. Then, they actually shock the college-football world with their first four-game losing streak since the downtrodden days of the program.
Now, the Wildcats hope their bizarre, bipolar season produces another shocker: The program's first win in Lincoln since 1968.
Here's the crazy thing: After administering two woodshed whippings in the past two weeks, the Wildcats say they're ready to make it happen.
"This is a game where we get the opportunity to show America that we're not the same team that lost four games," wide receiver Aaron Lockett said, "and that we're not the team that lost the character and the continuity that we had for four years.
"We feel like we've put ourselves in a position where we can make some things happen."
They're not the only ones who feel that way.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said the Wildcats have shown -- both in the 38-37 loss to his Sooners and in dominating wins over Iowa State and Kansas, "that they're capable of beating anyone."
Iowa State coach Dan McCarney, who's 5-3 Cyclones got trounced by both K-State and Nebraska, said not much separates unranked Kansas State and undefeated Nebraska -- beyond their records.
"They're both really fine teams," he said. "There's no question that K-State is better than their record indicates. They're an excellent football team. They've got playmakers. And they just dominated us in the trenches.
"If Kansas State plays like they did here -- and I'm telling you they played with their hair on fire -- it'll be a heck of a football game in Lincoln."
For so long, K-State has come into Lincoln with its hair on fire -- only to leave with burn marks on its face. In their last four games in Lincoln, the Wildcats -- twice ranked in the Top 25 and twice ranked in the Top 10 -- have lost by an average of 20 points. And Memorial Stadium will be a zoo Saturday with Eric Crouch, Tracey Wistrom and the rest of Nebraska's seniors playing their final home game.
"I've been up to Huskerville," Lockett said. "It's definitely a hard place to play. But we feel like anything can happen, if we play the way we've played the past two weeks."
Indeed, the Wildcats say they have three primary reasons for renewed hopes of a win in, ahem, Huskerville:
They're healthy. While Snyder detests excuses, much of K-State's midseason stumble came because of injury. At one point, Snyder said, a rash of injuries to the offensive line made it impossible to practice full-speed, first team against first team.
And until Saturday, sophomore quarterback Ell Roberson, who had 372 total yards against Oklahoma's stifling defense, had been hobbled by a severe ankle sprain. Though he still hasn't regained his passing touch, he rushed for 131 yards on 22 carries in the Wildcats' 42-3 pounding of a decent Iowa State team.
They're ball hogs. In the past three games, K-State has dominated time of possession, averaging 12 more minutes a game than their opponents.
In the process, senior Josh Scobey has pounded opponents, earning consecutive Big 12 player of the week honors after racking up 204 and 172 yards in the past two weeks.
Of course, it's easy to see why the Wildcats have become grounded -- attempting just 13 passes in each of their past two games. On the year, Roberson and Marc Dunn have completed just 42 percent of their passes, with 10 interceptions and seven touchdowns.
As a receiver, Lockett said the return to a running game has been both frustrating and fun to watch. "We've always passed the ball first and run second," he said. "It's definitely switched around. As the quote-unquote go-to guy, it's frustrating. But it's something that's working for us right now."
Snyder said the ball-control offense has helped the defense stay fresh -- and fierce.
The Wildcats are second nationally in rushing defense and fourth in total defense -- ranking higher than Nebraska's vaunted defense in both categories. Wildcat defenders held a respectable Iowa State team, which had 445 yards against A&M's Wrecking Crew defense, to just 174 total yards Saturday. That total included just 6 rushing yards by Ennis Haywood, the Big 12's leading rusher entering the game. "They just totally dominated us up front," McCarney said.
They're hungry. After forging four straight 11 win seasons, Lockett said, he and his fellow seniors were out-and-out embarrassed by this season's four straight losses.
But the madness in Manhattan has produced a maturity. Believe it or not, Lockett said, he thinks the Wildcats are better than the team that took Oklahoma down to the final seconds.
"I think we are a little better," he said. "We definitely went through a tough stretch of our season. It was very hard to deal with. But we've been through the ups and downs now. We know how to handle anything that comes our way."
Around the Big 12
Baylor
The Bears changed quarterbacks -- starting sophomore Josh Zachry in place of junior Greg Cicero -- but it didn't change their luck on offense. Zachry was 21 of 36 for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception. To boot, he left the game with bruised ribs. The Bears, who had been solid in special teams play, saw that aspect fall apart: They had a field goal blocked, gave up a 60-yard punt return, a 60-yard kickoff return and sent a wild snap into the end zone for a Texas touchdown. "When you play the No. 5 team in the country, you can't spot them 28 points," coach Kevin Steele said. "That is unacceptable." ... Everyone, including all of Texas' players, thought Baylor had done the unthinkable and played man-to-man against the Longhorns talented receiving trio. As it turned out, they used man-to-man coverage on just eight plays. The others, Steele said, may have looked like man to man because the Bears ended up in a three-deep umbrella zone. "It's going to shock everybody but we only played eight snaps of man (coverage)," he said. "I'm sorry. That's just the truth."
Colorado
Sophomore Craig Ochs, with a strained tendon in his lower leg, is questionable for Saturday's game at Iowa State. But Bobby Pesavento's play has been unquestionably solid. Thought he committed a quarterbacks' cardinal sin by tossing an interception for a touchdown against Missouri, he also completed 17 of 22 passes -- a remarkable 77 percent of his passes -- for 257 yards. ... Roman Hollowell confirmed what we all suspected. The lightning-quick punt returner, who leads the nation in punt returns with 20.3 yards a return, returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown to give Colorado some breathing room against Missouri. "It seemed like I was running downhill," Hollowell said. Hollowell was named Big 12 special teams player of the week. ... Linebacker Drew Wahlroos was named the conference's defensive player of the week after posting a career-high 14 tackles, three quarterback hurries and two pass deflections in the win over Missouri.
Iowa State
Before Saturday's game with K-State, Dan McCarney, the constant worrier, clamored on about how Iowa State had been thumped by K-State time and time again. The message was meant to fire up his troops, but maybe it psyched them out. K-State simply manhandled the 'Clones, leaving them still searching for a sixth win that will secure a bowl trip for the second straight year. More importantly, the 'Clones could gain the respect that McCarney so clamors for if they finally step up and beat a top-25 team -- like Colorado Saturday in Ames. ... In K-State's 42-3 romp, the 'Clones' typically efficient rushing offense managed just 23 yards -- the lowest output since gaining none against the Wildcats in 1997. "It was a game totally dominated up front by Kansas State," McCarney said. ... The good news? If there is any, it's that Tony Yelk, Iowa State's kicker, connected on a 31-yard field goal a week after missing four field goals against A&M.
Kansas
Kansas athletic director Al Bohl informed coach Terry Allen before the game that he was done. His only hope of keeping his job? Beat Nebraska, the No. 1 team in the BCS. Bohl hinged his decision on the fact that Kansas, with a loss, would not be bowl-eligible. "If we had won the game," said interim coach Tom Hayes, "(Allen's firing) wouldn't have happened. We still would have been bowl eligible had we won." What did Allen, the Big 12's classiest coach, say in his final message to his team? "Remember me as a good person." ... Hayes has no guarantees beyond the final three games of the season. Especially not with Bohl clamoring for a national championship. "I really believe what our objective should be at Kansas is to try to play in that Big 12 championship game," said Bohl, who led revivals at Toledo and Fresno State before coming to Lawrence this year. "Because if you play in that game and win it, you'll be playing for the national championship. It can be done at Kansas. It will be done." ... Perhaps it's fitting that Hayes, the defensive coordinator, was named interim coach. Kansas defense has been tough all year despite the fact that it has gotten no help from the Jayhawks' offense. Hayes' first order of business? Trying to establish some offensive consistency. Sure, Kansas has been operating against the nation's toughest schedule. Still, the Jayhawks have been unable to muster any kind of consistency. On Saturday against Nebraska, the 'Hawks hit a new low, managing just 6 yards on 24 plays in the first half.
Kansas State
K-State seems to be doing its best impression of Nebraska with a one-two punch in the running game. Against Iowa State, Josh Scobey thundered for 172 yards and Ell Roberson had 131 yards for the duo's highest combined running output all year. The Wildcats are ranked fifth in the nation in rushing offense. ... How badly does Kansas State need young receiving talent? Of the Wildcats' 79 completions this year, 73 have gone to seniors. ... Kansas State could use some help in the kicking game. The Wildcats' comedy of errors continued Saturday as long snapper Neil Gosch fired a snap about 30 yards past holder Mike Ronsick. Snyder called it the "longest snap in the history of college football." The Wildcats did improve on one important aspect -- they hit all of their PATs. That's no small feat, especially when you consider that the Wildcats have made just 74.2 percent of their PATs this year. The next lowest team in the Big 12 is making 92 percent of its PATs.
Missouri
Zack Abron, who had rushed for 100 yards in three straight games, looked like he was on pace to equal that feat against Colorado until he sprained his ankle in the second quarter after churning out 69 yards. He is questionable for Saturday's game against Baylor. ... So this is why coaches trot out the tired old clichés of football being a 60-minute game. The Tigers had a 14-point lead with 4:27 left in the first half and looked like they were ready to take that into the locker room. Colorado thought otherwise, exploding for 138 yards and two touchdowns in 10 plays, then added a field goal after a Missouri fumble just before the half. "It's part of maturing," Pinkel said. "It's part of learning how to win." ... Pinkel, who has imploded at press conferences after nearly every Missouri game, had this to say about Saturday's loss to Colorado: "Mental errors, penalties, kicking-game mistakes," he said, spitting out the words, "good football teams don't make that many errors."
Nebraska
Eric Crouch missed a chance to enhance his Heisman chances when he overthrew a wide-open Wilson Thomas on a sure-highlight pass in the third quarter. But the Husker quarterback held steady, completing 58 percent of his passes and running for a touchdown. After the game, KU coach Terry Allen, amid talk about his own demise, had this to say about Crouch: "You would kind of hope that somebody would ask me about Eric Crouch right now and whether I think he's a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. I'll answer my own question and say yes, he really is." ... Maybe it's because a certain No. 7 steals the spotlight but Dahrran Diedrick might be the quietest 1,000 yard rusher in the nation. Though he hasn't shown the spectacular blades of some Nebraska I-backs, Diedrick has run hard. Diedrick leads the Big 12 in rushing. And against Kansas, he had 21 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. ... The Huskers have had many happy returns this season, but none better than against Kansas Saturday. Playing a Kansas squad that had given up an average of 7.5 yards per return and a long of 21 yards, the Huskers ripped off eight returns for 154 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown by Ben Cornelsen and a darting-dashing-spinning 50-yarder by Keyuo Craver.
Oklahoma
Nothing like a nice Hurricane to cure your offensive woes. The Golden Hurricane of Tulsa helped the Sooner offense do just that as Nate Hybl threw for 347 yards and the Sooners scored on five straight possessions. But the Sooners will get a real test this week when A&M's Top 10 Wrecking Crew defense comes to Norman. ... Hybl will start Saturday as Jason White continues to try to recuperate his injured knee. Speaking of White, you have to wonder what new medical definitions Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops will come up with after trying to classify White's torn ACL last week as a "knee sprain." Stoops justified his diagnosis by saying that all sprains involve some tears. Right, Coach. ... Speaking of sprained knees, two-way player Andre Woolfolk is out at least three to four weeks after suffering one against Tulsa. But Stoops said he was reluctant to reveal Woolfolk's condition after taking heat over his classification of White's injury. "I don't feel compelled after everything that's been written (about White) to be specific," Stoops said.
Oklahoma State
Cowboy wide receiver Rashaun Woods ranks 10th in the nation with seven receptions a game. But coach Les Miles says that's not enough. "The only mistake we make with Rashaun is not getting him the ball enough," Miles said. ... Fullback Mike Denard used the Cowboys' week off to get healthy, Miles said. He should be available for the Saturday's game against Texas Tech. ... Let's see: You're rebuilding a program that is second fiddle in a state that lives for football. Sound familiar? Miles said he understands the difficulty that Terry Allen went through in trying to turn around Kansas but he believes such a turnaround can be done. Even in a conference as tough as the Big 12. And even with a team, like the Cowboys, that currently are in the bottom half of the nation in every offensive statistical category. "I understand that it's difficult to do," said Miles, in his first season as Oklahoma State coach. "But you have to be given time and you have to do the right things. We're headed in that direction."
Texas
Give the Longhorns their due. After struggling against Oklahoma (who doesn't?), the Texas' offense is scoring and scoring quickly. In the 49-10 victory over Baylor, none of Texas' seven scoring drives lasted more than eight plays. And all of them were under three minutes long. ... Quarterback Chris Simms still needs to prove he can perform under the pressure of a big game, but give him his due, too. After tossing four interceptions against Oklahoma, the junior is just one touchdown pass shy of Major Applewhite's school record of 21 set in 1999. Oh, and by the way, Applewhite was named co-offensive player of the year in the Big 12 that season. ... Texas left guard Tillman Holloway is questionable after being taken to a Waco hospital with a neck-shoulder injury. Holloway remained down for several minutes on the field after suffering a severe stinger on a pass play.
Texas A&M
After not scoring a point against a mediocre Texas Tech defense, the Aggies offense slipped lower than it had in a season full of frustration. The Aggies were just 3 for 18 on third and fourth down conversions against Tech and turned the ball over twice deep in Tech territory. That has led some to point fingers at quarterback Mark Farris, but not A&M coach R.C. Slocum. "He completed 71 percent of his passes Saturday," Slocum said. "Mark has played well." ... A&M -- which has missed just about every starter at receiver and tight end for some time this season -- continued its tough luck ways. Dwain Goynes left the Tech game in the first half with an ankle injury. He could play Saturday against Oklahoma. ... The Wrecking Crew had seven sacks as they tried to rattle Kliff Kingsbury. They better hope that strategy works better against Nate Hybl as the Aggies prepare to go to Norman this week. The good news for A&M's defense is that Oklahoma's offense is not as potent as Tech's. The bad news for A&M's offense, on the other hand, is that Oklahoma's defense is downright lethal.
Texas Tech
After a 2000 season in which they didn't beat anyone they weren't expected to, Tech has knocked off both Kansas State and Texas A&M. Hmmmm, life in Lubbock could get very interesting when Oklahoma comes to town Nov. 17. ... Tech fans might have executed the worst of a goalpost carry off since Nebraska fans knocked the light standards off of an ambulance while carrying a goal post off the field after beating Colorado in October 1992. In Tech's case, fans knocked the lights out of an A&M booster as they tried to push the goal posts into A&M's section. When several A&M fans tried to shove the goal post back on the field, Mike McKinney, father of A&M center Seth McKinney, took a punch to the eye that required eight stitches. McKinney just happens to be Texas Gov. Rick Perry's chief of staff. Tech apologized but don't think the Aggies won't remember the insult and injury when the Red Raiders come calling next year. ... After pimping his junior quarterback all year, coach Mike Leach could afford to let Kliff Kingsbury's stats do the talking Saturday: 38 of 46 for 303 yards against one of the nation's top 10 defenses. ... Tech's cornerbacks couldn't have come up with any bigger plays than they did against A&M. Strong safety Ryan Aycock intercepted Farris in the end zone to thwart an A&M scoring chance. And then cornerback Joselio Hanson punched the ball out of wide receiver Terrence Murphy's hands to end a drive deep in Tech territory.
Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha World-Herald.
