Something Is Lacking in Kansas State Victory

This was not the way Kansas State wanted to start its bid for a national championship.

Ragged on offense and spotty on special teams, the No. 8 Wildcats did not wrap up a 27-7 victory over underdog Iowa on Saturday until a lucky interception turned into Jonathan Beasley’s touchdown with 5:03 left in the Eddie Robinson Classic at Kansas City, Mo.

“I don’t think we were ready. That’s poor coaching. It’s my fault,” Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder said. “Our execution wasn’t very good.”

Beasley’s eight-yard run, three plays after cornerback Jerametrius Butler intercepted a pass that bounced off a receiver’s helmet, turned a shaky 17-7 lead into a more comfortable 24-7 advantage. Then Jamie Rheem’s second field goal, with 1:38 to go, provided a deceptively respectable final score.

“We didn’t come down here to be a scout team. That wasn’t our goal at all,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Coming off a 1-10 season, the Hawkeyes were 28-point underdogs to a Kansas State program that was 11-1 in each of the last three years and hopes to challenge for a national title.

More than 60,000 Wildcat fans who crammed into Arrowhead Stadium despite temperatures nearing 100 degrees held their breath when star running back-kick returner David Allen went out in the second half with an apparent ankle injury.

“I think he’s going to be all right,” Snyder said. “I’m not sure yet. The X-rays indicated there was no fracture.”

Allen was denied an NCAA record when a clipping penalty negated his return of a punt for a touchdown. He shares the mark of seven with Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers and Oklahoma’s Jack Mitchell.

Kansas State’s first three possessions of the second half ended in turnovers. Allen’s fumble led to Ladell Betts’ touchdown run that made it 17-7 midway through the third quarter. Then the Hawkeyes stopped Kansas State threats with two consecutive interceptions, one in the end zone on third and seven from the 10.

Texas Tech 24, New Mexico 3--Kliff Kingsbury threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns and the Red Raiders presented pass-happy Mike Leach with a victory in his first game as head coach--the inaugural Transamerica Hispanic College Fund Football Classic.

Kingsbury completed 21 of 47 passes--to seven receivers. The single-game highs for Texas Tech last season were 15 completions and 32 attempts, in different games.

Ricky Williams, who injured his knee in last year’s opener and was lost for the season, returned with the first scoring reception of his career--a six-yarder in the first quarter--and gained 78 yards in 15 carries.

The Texas Tech defense actually had the biggest plays of the night. Antwan Alexander, who also had an interception, returned a fumble 70 yards to set up a field goal, and Aaron Hunt had a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Louisiana Tech 63, Mississipi Valley State 10--Brian Stallworth threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to the victory at Ruston, La. John Simon had seven receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown for the Bulldogs.