ESPN.com - Instant Analysis: K-State 42, Texas 24

ESPN.com: Texas Longhorns

Saturday, December 1, 2012
Instant Analysis: K-State 42, Texas 24

By Carter Strickland

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- What was being billed as the biggest home game in Kansas State history turned into the biggest Wildcat home win in history. Faced with the opportunity to win a conference title for only the third time in school history, make it to a BCS bowl game and quite possible push their senior leader, Collin Klein, to the front of the Heisman line, Kansas State at least delivered on the first two with its 42-24 win over Texas. As for the Heisman, that will have to wait. Despite the win, the the odds of grabbing the school's first remain quite long.

It was over when: Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett grabbed a 55-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter and put the Wildcats up 28-17. The play-action pass was set up by the Wildcats' previous drive in which Klein kept the ball on the ground for the majority of the 67-yard drive.

Stat of the game: After being held to just 114 yards in the first half and Klein being largely pedestrian, KSU scored the first three times it touched the ball in the second half. Kansas State put scoring drives of 75, 67 and 55 yards together to pull away from Texas.

Stat of the game, part 2: Texas quarterback Case McCoy completed 17 straight passes after starting the game with an incompletion and an interception. Texas has not had a quarterback complete 17 straight since Case's brother, Colt, did it. Colt McCoy holds the record for completions with 18 straight.

Game ball goes to: Although Klein did not put up the stats necessary to wow Heisman voters, his senior leadership steadied KSU in the second half and his command of the offense allowed the Wildcats to pull away. Klein was 4-of-10 passing for 72 yards with an interception in the first half, adding 19 yards rushing and a touchdown. Klein came out and rushed for 54 yards in the third quarter alone and was 3-of-3 passing for 57 yards in that quarter.

What it means for Texas: The Longhorns appear to be entrenched in the Cotton Bowl. Texas will finish third in the Bg 12 behind Kansas State and Oklahoma. Both those teams should go to BCS bowls, leaving Texas as the clear choice for the Cotton Bowl. Texas' likely opponent is LSU, but there is a scenario that would allow Georgia to come to the Cotton Bowl.

What it means for KSU: For only the third time in school history the Wildcats have won a conference title, with the most recent coming in 2003. The other occasion was 1934. While Klein did not do himself any favors in Heisman voting, the team did wrap up a bid to the Fiesta Bowl.