Davis Is Back to Carrying the Load for Iowa State

Just as his coach had promised, Iowa State running back Troy Davis got the ball more against Northern Iowa.

Did he ever.

Returning to last season’s form, Davis carried a school-record 53 times for 241 yards and five touchdowns Saturday as Iowa State broke a five-game losing streak with a 42-23 victory over Northern Iowa at Ames, Iowa.

Davis, who led the nation with 2,010 yards rushing last season, had not been carrying the ball as much this season as Iowa State (1-2) sought to diversify its offense.

But the Cyclones went back in a big way to Davis against Northern Iowa (3-1), which had beat Iowa State in two previous games.

“I told you earlier in the week we were going to give the ball to 28,” Iowa State Coach Dan McCarney said, referring to Davis’ jersey number. “He just didn’t seem to get tired. He’s got tremendous endurance and durability.”

Davis, a 5-foot-8, 190-pound junior, topped 200 yards rushing for the fifth time in his career and broke the school record of 47 carries by Dwayne Crutchfield against Colorado in 1981. Davis had 55 carries in the first two games.

No. 16 Kansas State 34, Rice 7--Brian Kavanagh tied his own school record with four touchdown passes--three to wide receiver Jimmy Dean--as the Wildcats won a nonconference game in Houston.

Kansas State (4-0) took a 14-0 lead in the opening 4:48, had Rice (1-2) score its only touchdown early in the second half, then erupted for three unanswered touchdowns to put the game away.

Kavanagh completed 20 of 28 passes for 232 yards but had his streak of passes without an interception ended at 78.

Texas A&M; 55, North Texas 0--The Aggies shook out of their doldrums with 624 yards of total offense and only allowed the Eagles to cross midfield once in a nonconference game at College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M; (1-2) had opened the season with losses to Brigham Young (41-37) and Southwestern Louisiana (29-22).

Branndon Stewart completed 17 of 30 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns while Albert Connell had nine receptions for 166 yards.

Oklahoma State 31, Utah State 17--David Thompson ran for 217 yards and three touchdowns and the Cowboys overcame 14 penalties in a nonconference game at Stillwater, Okla.

Thompson, who had a career-high 39 carries, had more than 200 yards for the second consecutive game.

Oklahoma State (3-1) also got a good defensive against Utah State (2-2). Matt Sauk passed for 390 yards, but was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Tailback Abu Wilson, who came into game averaging 125 yards, was held to 16 yards in 10 carries.

Missouri 38, Clemson 24--Quarterback Corby Jones, making his eighth career start, threw his first two touchdown passes as Tigers won a nonconference game at Columbia, Mo.

Devin West had 98 yards and a touchdown in 13 carries as Missouri, which totaled 292 yards rushing, won for only the second time in 10 games. The Tigers (1-2) had seven turnovers in its first two games but none against Clemson (1-2).