Saturday, Sep. 23 2:10pm ET
Wildcats roll past winless N. Texas

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) -- Darrell Dickey, who knows the history of Kansas State quarterbacks, can't remember a better one than Jonathan Beasley.

Jonathan Beasley
Kansas State quarterback Jonathan Beasley rushed for a school-record five touchdowns in Saturday's rout of North Texas.

"He might be one of the best they've ever had," Dickey said after watching Beasley score a school-record five touchdowns and lead Kansas State (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 4 AP) past his North Texas team 55-10.

Dickey, who quarterbacked Kansas State's first bowl team 18 years ago, marveled at Beasley's multiple skills.

"He can beat you in so many ways," he said.

Beasley beat the Mean Green (0-4) with his running. He had 1-yard scoring runs on the first two possessions for Kansas State (4-0). Then he added a 2-yard TD run and another from one yard out before getting the record with a zig-zagging 16-yard run in the third quarter to give the dominant Wildcats a 48-3 lead.

Beasley completed 12 of 15 passes for 202 yards.

"I'm more comfortable now with the offense," Beasley said. "Just go out there and execute the game plan and get us in the right play."

On his 16-yarder, he leaped over one would-be tackler who tried to come in low, then barely lunged across the goal line.

"It was an option," he said. "They overplayed it so I was able to cut back. I had to jump over that guy. I saw daylight but I was thinking, `Man, don't fall down -- don't fall down.' I was able to keep my balance 'til I got in the end zone."

It was the third straight blowout for Kansas State, which set a school scoring record the week before with a 76-0 trouncing of Ball State.

In going 4-0 in an unchallenging non-conference schedule, the Wildcats outscored the opposition 212-20.

They had 477 total yards to just 138 for North Texas and blocked the Mean Green's first two punts, not counting a quick kick.

"We were going to try to kick the ball and angle it out of bounds," Dickey said. "They are a very well coached, smart football team, so they bring their block from that side and try to overload you."

North Texas' Jason Ball kicked a 43-yard field goal in the second period following a fumble by Kansas State's backup quarterback. Then in the fourth, against the second- and third-team defenders, Ja'Quay Wilburn broke loose on a 66-yard run to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Richard Bridges that made it 55-10.

After Beasley's first two touchdowns, Bruce Libel blocked Ball's punt and set up Josh Scobey's one-yard run.

After Chris Claybon blocked Ball's next punt, Jamie Rheem kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 24-0 lead in the final minutes of the first quarter.

The only sour note for Kansas State, which opens Big 12 competition next week at Colorado, was the play of Ell Roberson, the heralded redshirt freshman quarterback.

Roberson replaced Beasley after Scobey's touchdown but failed to move the team after Claybon's blocked punt and then on successive possessions threw an interception and lost a fumble.

After the fumble and Ball's field goal, Beasley came back to direct four more scoring drives before again giving way to Roberson with a 48-3 lead.

Beasley, who had 60 yards on 12 carries, had a 26-yard run to set up his third TD, a 2-yard run for a 31-3 lead. He hit Quincy Morgan for 26 yards before making it 38-3 with a 1-yard plunge at the end of the half.

Rheem added a 38-yard field goal in the third period after Terrell Williams recovered a fumble by North Texas quarterback Scott Hall.

After Beasley's fifth TD made it 48-3, Rod Cartwright scored on a 1-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving Kansas State a 55-3 lead.






ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard

North Texas Clubhouse

Kansas State Clubhouse



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