The Kansas State Wildcats made their claim to be No. 1, muscling their way to a 23-10 win over the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth, Tex. on Friday night.
Kansas State vs. TCU 2012 results: Wildcats stake claim for No. 1 with 23-10 win
Kansas State took care of business, but a late mistake robbed the Wildcats of some style points.
Despite a head injury last week, Collin Klein was his usual, gritty self, rushing for 52 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats on the ground. Klein's biggest play through the air set up Kansas State's first score of the game, as he connected with Chris Harper for a 62-yard pass on their second possession of the game. Five plays later, Klein's seven-yard touchdown run gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead, which they would never give up.
Kansas State held TCU to under 200 yards of offense for most of the night, as the Horned Frogs only crossed that plateau with the game's outcome not in question late in the fourth quarter. A K-State fumble with less than two minutes remaining gave TCU a 39-yard field, and three plays later Trevone Boykin hit Brandon Carter for a 19-yard touchdown pass. That score marked the first time all season Kansas State had given up points off a turnover.
Of note, Wildcats receiver Tyler Lockett was helped off the field with two minutes remaining, not putting weight on his left foot after he was rolled onto by a TCU defender while engaged in run blocking. His status is currently unknown.
Box Score Hero: Collin Klein, who accounted for 195 of Kansas State’s 260 yards.
Rankings Ramifications: If the BCS standings hold from last week, minus Alabama at the top, Kansas State would be the No. 1 team in the country. But the result may not change voters’ minds in the human polls, which both (AP and Harris) have Oregon ahead of Kansas State.
But Did They Cover? Kansas State was favored by 7 points and did cover.
Next Week’s Schedule: Kansas State plays on the road against Baylor (4-5), while TCU has a bye.
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