MANHATTAN, Kan. – On an overcast afternoon where wind gusts of up to 20 miles per hour blew across a nearly filled KSU Stadium, the vaunted Kansas State Wildcats had every intention of blowing away their I-AA adversaries from Western Massachusetts.

Yet UMass, which has serious aspirations of ascending to Division I-A in the near future, had other ideas. And with a 65-yard play-action touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Krohn to wide receiver Jason Peebler on the third play of the game, and interceptions by cornerback Steve Costello and linebacker Mark Kimener on two of the three ensuing Wildcat possessions, the No.10 (I-AA) Minutemen (1-1) caught lightning in a bottle.

So for that brief moment, the Minutemen experienced a faint flicker of success in the vast world of major college football. They were leading the No.7 team in the country 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

David had punched Goliath directly in the mouth.

However, the experience was short lived, as the Wildcats (4-0) proceeded to score 35 unanswered points en route to a 38-7 thumping of Massachusetts. It marked K-State’s 41st consecutive non-conference home win, and 10th in a row overall; the nation’s fourth longest streak.

“We wanted to set a tone and let them know that we’re here to play and weren’t here to back down and I think we showed that.” Krohn said. “We came out and we ran the ball really well and then hit the big pass, and it was awesome to start that way in the first quarter, but it takes four.”

“[The lead] didn’t last long,” Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple added. “We hoped we’d get in that situation. We said that’s what we were going to do the first time we got a third and short because they are so aggressive.

“It was good. At least we can send Chris Berman a highlight tape. At least we made one play on offense.”

One play was all the Minutemen could muster, as the Wildcat defense asserted itself following UMass’ lone scoring strike, forcing 10 punts and allowing only one trip into the red zone. The Maroon and White were held to only 27 net rushing yards and were out gained 490-191 in total yards.

“We couldn’t do anything with [the ball], so we have to credit the Kansas State defense.” Whipple said. “They’re probably the best team we’ve played…they are just bigger and faster. Their recruiting is better than our recruiting. We played hard. We’ll take it and move on.”

As stifling as the K-State defense was, the offense was nearly as effective. Playing without quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Ell Roberson, the ‘Cats advanced the ball inside the 20 yard line eight times, scoring on six of those chances and punting only twice.

Backup quarterback Jeff Schwinn, starting his first game since he was a senior at McLouth (Kan.) High School, did look shaky at times, throwing a pair of interceptions. However he was able to complete 17 of 26 attempts for 228 yards and managed the offense effectively with the help of a potent ground game led by tailback Darren Sproles.

The lightning-quick Sproles was able to effectively pick up the slack in the ground game created by Roberson’s injury with an all-around solid day. Running mainly between the tackles and occasionally outside on toss sweeps, the junior carried the ball 28 times and gained 162 yards with three touchdowns.

“Darren is Darren. He’s an extremely fine player,” KSU coach Bill Snyder said. “If he gets the ball enough, sooner or later, he is going to make things happen.”

Trailing 7-3 early in the 2nd quarter, KSU embarked on an 11-play, 74-yard drive capped off by a seven-yard touchdown strike from Schwinn to tight end Brian Casey.

The Wildcats then extended their lead to 17-7 on a two-yard plunge by Sproles, who set up the score with a 42-yard scamper two plays prior.

After UMass forced one of only two K-State punts on the day, Sproles got on the board again with his second touchdown rush of the game, this time from 8 yards out to put the ‘Cats up 24-7 with just over a minute remaining in the first half.

“I like [Sproles] as a football player.” Whipple said. “He’s tough. He’s resilient. The guys block for him. He’s just a tremendous football player.”

Following Sproles’ final touchdown, Krohn was able to put together his most effective drive of the half, picking up three first downs with completions to three different receivers.

However freshman placekicker Michael Torres’ 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired in the half.

Following a fumble by receiver James Terry that marked the Wildcats’ third turnover of the afternoon, and a three-and-out for the Minutemen, K-State again added to its lead when Sproles concluded his scoring day with a one-yard plunge midway through the third quarter.

The score was set up by a 35-yard connection from Schwinn to Terry that set up a first-and-goal for the ‘Cats at the 8-yard line.

After UMass’ only turnover of the game – a Krohn fumble on fourth and 19 -Synder substituted quarterback Dylan Meier into the game, and watched him pay immediate dividends.

The freshman signal caller drove K-State 57 yards in six plays, and capped the scoring with an 8-yard keeper that upped the score to 38-7.

Despite allowing 38 points, defense was a bright spot for Whipple and the Minutemen. Leading the way was linebacker Jeremy Cain, who led the team with eleven tackles, ten of which were unassisted.

“Kansas State is a really good football team.” Whipple said. “We were going to have to be a little more lucky than we were. There weren’t any holes. It’s a great game to coach until kickoff and then it’s a really hard game to coach.

“I like our locker room. Everyone is really disappointed. We prepared to win a game and I thought if everything fell right we might have a chance. We just didn’t hang in there long enough.

“The players played hard, but we’ve got to get better. We’re better now than when we came in here, but we’ve got a long ways to go at UMass.”

Snyder agrees that the Minutemen will be a force to be reckoned with in I-AA.

“Those guys who wear the red uniforms over there are a good young team and good young guys” he said. “They can play. They will be a great football team and will do great in their division.”