The year is 2000. KSU has a solid, not dominant like 1998, team with Jonathan Beasley at quarterback, Josh Scobey at running back, and Quincy Morgan at receiver. The Wildcats are trying to claw their way back to the Big 12 Championship Game and a potential BCS bowl berth, from a season where the possibilities seemed so much greater. Kansas State has already lost at home to an emerging Oklahoma team with Josh Heupel at quarterback, and would later follow with a road loss to unranked Texas A&M.
Nebraska, led by Eric Crouch, is enjoying the twilight of their years as a national power. Nebraska was ranked #1 for most of the season, until a trip to Norman, where that same Oklahoma team, now #2, dismantled #1 Nebraska 31-14. The Huskers are still trying to remain in the picture for the Big 12 title game, and a hope for a national championship.
Touted as a potential #1 vs. #2 game. The game was in fact, #4 Nebraska vs. #16 Kansas State. #1 Oklahoma was the story in the Big 12, and a rematch with the Sooners was at stake. With the energy in the stadium, you would have thought this was still #1/#2.
It was a cold Saturday night, with precipitation falling for most of the night. The game was nationally televised. The Wildcats were the underdog. It was a heavyweight bout, with both teams trading punches. The Wildcats played from behind for most of the first half, recovering from an early blocked punt for a touchdown. But thanks to a last-second option pitch, and a couple big connections to Quincy Morgan (one of which a prayer from their own end zone) the Wildcats managed to take a 17-14 lead into halftime.
The 3rd quarter ends with K-State adding 2 field goals, taking a 23-14 lead into the final quarter. The Huskers stormed back in the 4th quarter with 2 touchdown runs from Dan Alexander, and took a 28-23 lead. Jonathan Beasley then took control of the game and led the Cats deep into Nebraska territory, leading up to a moment I will always remember. The play was a crossing route over the middle to Morgan. From that moment, it seemed the snow started and the crowd went silent. When Morgan crossed the goal line, the silence was filled with more electricity than I have ever felt at a sporting event. The Cats were destined to win, and they did, later ending the Nebraska threat. Beginning to end, this game was an absolute classic and probably the most emotional Wildcat game I have ever attended.
The year is 2010. It is an early Big 12 matchup for both undefeated teams. A foothold in the Big 12 North is once again at stake. It is the biggest game of the year so far for both teams. Once again, the Huskers are in the top 10 and looked poised to be in their final Big 12 title game. The Wildcats are looking for respect in front of a primetime national TV audience, and that same spot in the Big 12 title game. The Cats will need the spark from the crowd, and Carson Coffman has the opportunity to set the Wildcat nation at rest on the identity of the quarterback for the year. The stage is set. Can the Wildcats dance?
The formula for success is no different in 2010 than it was 10 years ago. Both teams have similar mentalities. Nebraska’s natural tendency is to run the ball. Both teams run to pass. The key to beating Nebraska is forcing them outside of their comfort zone, into passing. Then you have them right where you want them. In the 2000 game, the Wildcats held Eric Crouch to only 39 passing yards. Taylor Martinez is a great runner (leads team in rushing), but an unproven passer. The Cats must improve on their Big 12-worst, 195.5 rushing yards per game allowed and force Martinez into beating you with his arm. The Cats are also coming off a game against a team with a mobile quarterback in their win dramatic win versus UCF.
The Huskers are expecting the Wildcats to ride Daniel Thomas carry for carry. William Powell can provide a great change of pace, and the KSU receivers, I feel, are better than their Nebraska counterparts. If Coffman can threaten the Nebraska defense with another viable threat, the game will open up substantially and will give the Wildcats much more freedom in their play calling.
This game will be a physical battle for control of the line of scrimmage. The most fundamentally sound time will win. The Cats must tackle, and the safeties will be tested to prevent the big play. But most importantly, they must take care of the football. With the help of a huge punt return, the Wildcats win 21-17.
This will be the last matchup for K-State and Nebraska in the foreseeable future. Nebraska has no Big 12 opponents on their 2011 or 2012 Big Ten schedule. Future matchups against a Big 12 opponent would likely take place in either a scheduled blockbuster matchup against rivals Oklahoma or Texas; or more likely, in a bowl game. Farewell to the rivalry between K-State and Nebraska, one that never developed until late.
