COLLEGE FOOTBALL : BIG EIGHT ROUNDUP : Cincinnati Puts Up a Fight but Loses to Kansas, 23-18

The Kansas Jayhawks weren’t expecting much of a game from Cincinnati, which finished 2-8-1 last season.

But they got all they could handle, needing a fumble recovery late in the game to pull out a 23-18 nonconference victory Saturday at Lawrence, Kan.

Eric Richards’ third long field goal, a 42-yarder with 7:10 remaining, pulled Cincinnati into a 16-16 tie.

After a Kansas punt, Cincinnati quarterback Eric Vibberts fumbled when hit by Dorian Brew and the ball was recovered at the seven by tackle Dan Dercher.

On the next play, June Henley ran it in for a touchdown and a 23-16 lead.

Kansas took a deliberate safety with 21 seconds remaining, a strategy that nearly backfired.

After Robert Tate’s 33-yard return of Kansas’ free kick, two quick passes put the Bearcats at the Kansas 20 with seven seconds to go. On the final play of the game, Vibberts’ pass was deflected away in the end zone.

Missouri 28, North Texas 7--Brock Olivo ran for 129 yards and the Tigers had 347 yards on the ground, their best rushing day in seven seasons.

The Tigers’ new grass field appeared to agree with Olivo, a sophomore who had 112 yards in the first half and finished with his third career 100-yard game.

The 347 rushing yards were the most since a 367-yard effort in a 52-21 victory over Kansas on Oct. 8, 1988.

North Texas had seven turnovers, six of them interceptions, to help Missouri end a seven-game home losing streak. The Tigers won at Faurot Field for the first time since a 37-34 victory over Iowa State Oct. 30, 1993.

North Texas is returning to Division I-A this season after 13 seasons in Division I-AA. North Texas plays two more Big Eight schools, Kansas and Oklahoma State, this month.

Kansas State 34, Temple 7--Matt Miller threw for two touchdowns and ran for one and Eric Hickson ran for 107 yards as the Wildcats won at Lawrence, Kan.

Temple quarterback Henry Burris shocked the Wildcats with a 58-yard touchdown pass play to Troy Kersey on the Owls’ first play.

But the Owls could not contain Kansas State’s running game as the Wildcats won their sixth consecutive season opener under Coach Bill Snyder.