1994 Ad

Sporting News, The, Dec 19, 1994 by B.G. Brooks

Kansas State could get accustomed to this bowl thing.

The Wildcats' Copper Bowl trip last season was only their second in school history, preceded by a 14-3 loss to Wisconsin in the 1982 Independence Bowl. That's a long wait for boosters and alums.

But once-laughable K-state, which clubbed Wyoming, 52-17, in the '93 Copper Bowl, is on a bowl roll under sixth-year Coach Bill Snyder. Give Snyder most of the credit for masterminding the turnaround, but save some for quarterback Chad May and a defense recognized as one of the fastest and most fierce in the rugged Big Eight Conference.

May's Aloha Bowl appearance caps a splendid two-season fling in which he passed for 5,253 yards and N touchdowns. May was more precise and made better decisions in 1994. While his interceptions dropped from 10 to six, his completion percentage rose from .529 to .594.

Defensively, the Wildcats finished second in the conference in points allowed (14.2 per game) and third in total defense (312.6 yards per game) - and their only two losses were to fellow Big Eight powers Nebraska and Colorado. The defensive speed that throttled Wyoming last December in Tucson is again K-State's strong suit. Boston College Coach Dan Henning's first bowl victory will be difficult to attain.