Images From K-State’s Run To The Fiesta Bowl (Part II)

Yesterday we presented you with some of the memorable images from the first half Kansas State’s run to the Big 12 Championship and bid to the Fiesta Bowl. Today we bring the second portion of our tribute to the regular season in anticipation of the Wildcats’ January 3 showdown with the University of Oregon (scroll mouse over photo for description).

October 27, vs. #15 Texas Tech
Texas Tech held a chance to tie K-State for the Big 12 lead with a win and had already demonstrated their prowess in being the first team to take down #5 West Virginia. Additionally, Red Raider quarterback Seth Doege was working himself into the Heisman conversation alongside Collin Klein. Although Tech outgained K-State in total yardage, a familiar theme played out again as the Wildcats won the turnover battle 3-0 and played superior special teams while capitalizing on opportunities to comfortably defeat Texas Tech 55-24. Although Kansas State won big, they also suffered a big loss in losing linebacker Tre Walker for the year. Record: 8-0, 5-0

Oct 27, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back John Hubert (33) scores a touchdown against Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Cody Davis (16) during the Wildcats

Oct 27, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder and the Wildcats defense looks on as trainers attend to linebacker Tre Walker (50) during a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State won the game 55-24. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

November 3, vs. #24 Oklahoma State
In what became another familiar theme for the Wildcats, Oklahoma State entered Manhattan with only one conference loss and a chance to share the Big 12 lead if they walked out with a win. The Cowboys brought one of the top three scoring offenses in the nation and racked up over 500 yards in total offense while Kansas State lost its primary playmaking when Collin Klein was forced out of the game with a head injury. However, K-State forced five turnovers while controlling the clock for 38 minutes compared to Okie State’s paltry 22 minutes and limited the Cowboys’ ability to score. Back up QB Daniel Sams filled in for Klein in a 44-30 victory. Record: 9-0, 6-0

Nov 3, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Chris Harper (3) runs after a catch during a 44-30 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 3, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Daniel Sams (4) drops back to pass against Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Caleb Lavey (45) during a 44-30 WIldcats win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

November 10, at TCU
Facing their stiffest defensive challenge of the season, TCU made things difficult for the Wildcat offense all night as Klein was frustrated into a zero touchdown, one interception game in what many consider the first of two hangovers from his concussion the week before. However, the Wildcat defense was even more ferocious and didn’t allow a score until midway through the fourth quarter, relinquishing their only touchdown in garbage time. K-State was barely outgained in total yardage, but held a comfortable lead by the end of the night, 23-10. The physical game left receivers Curry Sexton and Tyler Lockett, as well as safety Ty Zimmerman, injured and unable to return to the game. Record: 10-0, 7-0

November 10, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) attempts to throw a pass after getting sacked by Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Adam Davis (55) at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Kansas State won beating TCU 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

November 17, at Baylor
Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe Baylor truly was the superior team. And maybe it just wasn’t K-State’s night. Whatever it was, the Wildcats fell from a #1 BCS ranking and a front page Sports Illustrated cover for Klein to a title game afterthought after being manhandled by a Bears team that ended the season ranked 119 in defense nationally. The final score was 52-24, and most viewers stop watching at halftime, choosing to watch Stanford defeat #2 Oregon in overtime while flipping back only occasionally to see if K-State ever closed the gap. In the end, it proved to be destiny that K-State and Oregon would meet, as #1 and #2 eventually found themselves at #5 and #4, good enough for a pairing in the Fiesta Bowl. Record: 10-1, 7-1

Nov 17, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Tevin Reese (16) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Dante Barnett (22) during the game at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears beat the Wildcats 52-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 17, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears fans wave the school flag during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears beat the Wildcats 52-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

December 1, vs Texas
K-State had two weeks to stew about their fall from the number one spot and prepare for a Texas team that suffered a close loss to TCU on Thanksgiving night. Few knew what to expect from the Wildcats following their loss to Baylor and there was a sense that the blueprint for defeating K-State had finally been drafted. After an exhilarating back-and-forth over the first three quarters,  four straight touchdowns put K-State up by 25. A touchdown with just inside one minute left brought Texas within 42-24 as K-State players were more focused on celebrating than proper kick coverage. The 42-24 victory means that Texas is 2-7 against Kansas State under Mack Brown, with an .803 win percentage against all other teams. Meshak Williams returned from a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the game to record a sack and help secure the victory. The crowd could be heard cheering ‘We Own Texas’ in the final minutes, and, to a healthy extent, they’re correct. Record: 11-1, 8-1

Dec 1, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats team members prepare to run onto the field before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State won 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 1, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats mascot Willie Wildcat celebrates a touchdown during a 42-24 win over the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 1, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Randall Evans (15) breaks up a pass intended for Texas Longhorns wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (8) during the second half of the game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State won 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 1, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein (7) and wide receiver Tramaine Thompson (86) celebrate a touchdown during a 42-24 win over the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 1, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein (7) holds up the Big 12 Championship trophy following a 42-24 win over the Texas Longhorns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports