No. 9 Kansas State Struggles to Defeat Missouri

A close call against Missouri sapped most of the joy out of ninth-ranked Kansas State’s second trip to the Big 12 championship game in three years.

“I’m pleased that’s where we are,” Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder said after a 28-24 victory Saturday at Columbia, Mo. “I’m not very happy about how we got there.”

Josh Scobey scored two touchdowns during a 25-point second quarter as Kansas State overcame an early two-touchdown deficit. Kansas State, 10-2 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12, will play top-ranked Oklahoma for the conference title Dec. 2 at Kansas City.

Kansas State made it to the title game despite midseason losses to Oklahoma and Texas A&M.;

“We’re undefeated in November and we look to stay undefeated on Dec. 2,” Scobey said.

The Wildcats have beaten Missouri eight consecutive times, but they struggled against Tiger players inspired to finish on a strong note and perhaps save Coach Larry Smith’s job.

“We played our hearts out for him,” defensive end Justin Smith said.

Missouri (3-8, 2-6) lost to all five of its ranked opponents this season and is 1-27 against ranked opponents under Smith. He’s 33-46-1 in seven seasons at Missouri, which finished this season losing five of six.

Smith said he’ll meet with Athletic Director Mike Alden soon and expects to be back.

“I’m not a quitter and I’m not resigning,” Smith said.

Iowa State 38, Kansas 17--Ennis Haywood rushed for 190 yards and Michael Wagner broke the game open with a 66-yard touchdown run at Ames, Iowa, as Iowa State completed its best regular season in 22 years.

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels scored two touchdowns for Iowa State (8-3, 5-3), which won eight games for only the eighth time in school history.

The Cyclones now await a bowl invitation, which would be their first since 1978. That also was the last time Iowa State won eight games.

Kansas (4-7, 2-6) finished with four consecutive losses and had its fourth losing season in as many years under Coach Terry Allen.

Oklahoma State 50, Baylor 22--Quarterback Aso Pogi ran for four touchdowns at Stillwater, Okla., as the Cowboys broke a seven-game losing streak and handed Baylor its 21st consecutive Big 12 loss.

Pogi completed 14 of 18 passes, scored on runs of six and five yards, and twice went over from the one for the Cowboys (3-7, 1-7).

Baylor (2-9, 0-8) couldn’t overcome a series of early turnovers or an Oklahoma State defense that gave up only 66 yards rushing.