Kansas St., McGraw Turn Back Colorado

For all of Kansas State’s offensive might, two key interceptions by safety Jon McGraw loomed just as large Saturday as the No. 5-ranked Wildcats opened their Big 12 campaign by overwhelming Colorado, 44-21, at Boulder, Colo.

McGraw thwarted a Colorado scoring drive with a diving interception late in the first half, enabling Kanas State to hold onto a 14-point lead. Then, late in the third quarter, he returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown, putting Kansas State ahead, 41-13.

McGraw tipped a pass thrown by wide receiver Cedric Cormier in the left flat.

“I kind of smelled it out,” he said. “I had a pretty good idea I’d go all the way, but I was pretty tired at the end.”

Jonathan Beasley passed for three first-half touchdowns and Josh Scobey rushed for two touchdowns for the Wildcats (5-0), who scored three consecutive touchdowns after Colorado (0-4) reduced the deficit to seven midway through the second quarter.

After going 0-11-1 against Colorado from 1985-96, Kansas State has won four in a row against the Buffaloes.

Colorado got a glimpse of its future when highly recruited freshman quarterback Craig Ochs made his first collegiate appearance. Ochs replaced Bobby Pesavento early in the second quarter and played the remainder of the game.

Ochs promptly led Colorado to a touchdown on his first series, scoring on a 17-yard scramble.

In all, he completed 15 of 24 passes for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Beasley completed 15 of 25 for 293 yards.

Colorado Coach Gary Barnett said Ochs will start this week against Texas A&M.;

No. 13 Texas 42, Oklahoma State 7--Roy Williams caught a 96-yard touchdown pass and Kenny Hayter rushed for 122 yards against the nation’s toughest run defense as the Longhorns won at Austin, Texas.

Major Applewhite passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns to lead Texas (3-1, 1-0).

On the day the school retired former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams’ jersey, Texas overcame a sluggish first half that included a blocked punt to produce its best offensive game of the season.

Reggie White led Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-1) with 104 yards rushing, most coming on a 69-yard run in the first quarter.

Williams’ touchdown catch broke open a 10-7 game in the third quarter.

No. 14 Oklahoma 34, Kansas 16--Kansas turned the ball over seven times, six leading to Oklahoma scores as the Sooners were triumphant at Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0) trailed, 16-10, early in the second quarter, but Kansas (2-2, 0-1) self-destructed and did not score again.

Kansas’s Dylen Smith had five passes intercepted, three by J.T. Thatcher. Smith also fumbled once.

Texas A&M; 33, Texas Tech 15--Ja’Mar Toombs scored two touchdowns in the final 6:58 and the Aggies (3-1, 1-0) had three interceptions and a blocked punt that led to 20 points as they beat the Red Raiders (4-1, 0-1) at College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M; extended its winning streak at Kyle Field to 22 games since a loss to the Red Raiders in 1996. Texas Tech upset Texas A&M;, 21-19, last season when the Aggies went into Lubbock ranked No. 6 in the nation.

The crowd of 83,644 was the second largest ever at Kyle Field.

Iowa State 31, Baylor 17--Ennis Haywood ran for 241 yards and two touchdowns as the Cyclones (4-0, 1-0) beat the Bears (2-2, 0-1) at Waco, Texas. Iowa State is 4-0 for the first time since 1980. Haywood, who has topped 100 yards in all four wins, had 101 yards and both of his touchdowns by halftime.