2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 2002 Kansas State Wildcats Kstate text logo.svg Big 12 Conference North Division Big 12 6 7 11–2 6–2 Bill Snyder 14th Ron Hudson 6th Pro-style Bret Bielema 1st Bob Elliott 1st 4–3 KSU Stadium Holiday Bowl champion Holiday Bowl W 34–27 vs. Arizona State The 2002 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats play their home games in KSU Stadium. 2002 saw the Wildcats finish with a record of 11–2, and a 6–2 record in Big 12 Conference play. The season culminated with a win over Arizona State in the 2002 Holiday Bowl. Prior to the 2002 season, the artificial turf was updated to a more cushioned FieldTurf surface at a cost of $800,000. The Wildcats finished the 2002 season leading NCAA Division I-A in scoring defense (11.8 points per game) and also tied a school record by posting three shut outs. The team shut out Louisiana–Monroe, Kansas, and Missouri. The Wildcats also recorded a shut out on the road for the first time since the 1973 season. They recorded two shut outs on the road, beating Kansas and Missouri.http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/kansas_state/last_opponent_shutout.php Shutout info 2008-11-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080830042034/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/kansas_state/last_opponent_shutout.php 2008-08-30 dead The Wildcats scored 582 points in the season, good for second most all-time at Kansas State.Points scored fact https://web.archive.org/web/20080725010252/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/kansas_state/most_points_season.php July 25, 2008 Schedule 2002 AP Central August 31 6:10 p.m. w y Western Kentucky 18 (I-AA) KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 48–3 45,844 September 7 6:10 p.m. w y Louisiana–Monroe KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 68–0 43,104 September 14 1:10 p.m. w y Eastern Illinois 8 (I-AA) KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 63–13 45,642 September 21 6:00 p.m. w y 25 USC 11 KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS TBS 27–20 49,276 October 5 2:30 p.m. l y 13 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry ABC 31–35 52,584 October 12 1:10 p.m. w y 19 Oklahoma State KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS 44–9 48,404 October 19 6:00 p.m. l 17 Texas 8 KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS FSN 14–17 50,659 October 26 2:00 p.m. w y 20 Baylor Floyd Casey Stadium Waco, TX 44–10 20,247 November 2 1:00 p.m. w y 14 Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS rivalry 64–0 43,000 November 9 6:00 p.m. w 12 Iowa State 21 KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry TBS 58–7 49,504 November 16 11:30 a.m. w 11 Nebraska KSU Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry FSN 49–13 52,221 November 23 2:30 p.m. w y 10 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO ABC 38–0 47,507 December 27 7:00 p.m. w y y 6 Arizona State Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, CA Holiday Bowl ESPN 34–27 58,717 2002 Kansas State Wildcats Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kansas-state/2002-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference December 30, 2025 Rankings 2002 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 NR NR NR NR 25 15 13 19 17 20 14 12 11 10 8 6 6 7 Coaches 0 17 NR NR NR NR 23 17 16 23 19 21 14 12 11 10 8 6 6 6 BCS 9 16 NR 15 15 12 11 10 8 8 Game summaries Western Kentucky 2002 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team Kansas State Wildcats ;text-align:center; autocollapse No. 18 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kansas State Wildcats – Game summary August 31 6:10 p.m. CDT No. 18 Hilltoppers 0 0 0 3 Wildcats 3 31 7 7 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 45,844 Clear, 89 F C John Laurie Box score, Recap First quarter KSU – Joe Rheem 36-yard field goal, 10:26. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:34. Second quarter KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 12:57. Wildcats 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:57. KSU – Bobby Walker 73-yard interception return (Joe Rheem kick), 8:56. Wildcats 17–0. KSU – Danny Morris 7-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 4:51. Wildcats 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:01. KSU – Darren Sproles 9-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:45. Wildcats 31–0. Drive: 1 play, 9 yards, 0:06. KSU – Joe Rheem 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Wildcats 34–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 0:00. Third quarter KSU – Ell Roberson 18-yard run (Joe Rheem kick), 3:47. Wildcats 41–0. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:31. Fourth quarter WKU – Peter Martinez 30-yard field goal, 7:18. Wildcats 41–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:09. KSU – Ayo Saba 2-yard run (Jared Brite kick), 1:27. Wildcats 48–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 5:51. Statistics WKUKSU First downs 12 23 Total yards 183 412 Rushing yards 110 240 Passing yards 73 172 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 31:55 27:14 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Kentucky Passing Jason Michael 7/11, 73 yards, INT Rushing Maurice Bradley 19 rushes, 64 yards Receiving Casey Rooney 2 receptions, 28 yardsKansas State Passing Ell Roberson 4/8, 108 yards Rushing Darren Sproles 19 rushes, 135 yards, TD Receiving Derrick Evans 3 receptions, 74 yards Louisiana–Monroe 2002 Louisiana–Monroe Indians football team Eastern Illinois Panthers 13 0 0 0 Wildcats 15 28 13 7 2002 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team Tony Romo was 13-14 for 120 yards and a TD in the first quarter, but Kansas State grabbed control and cruised to the 50-point win.Kansas State Rout Is a Dunn Deal https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-15-sp-kstate15-story.html Los Angeles Times September 15, 2002 September 9, 2019 No. 11 USC USC at Kansas State No. 11 Trojans 0 6 0 14 No. 25 Wildcats 0 12 7 8 September 21 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, KS 6:00 p.m. CDT 49,276 John Laurie Ron Thulin, Charles Davis, Craig Sager, and Erin Andrews TBS yes 2 5:43 KSU Jared Brite 35-yard field goal KSU 3-0 2 3:46 KSU Ell Roberson 1-yard fun (Brite kick) KSU 10-0 2 0:32 USC Mike Patterson 3-yard fumble return (kick blocked) KSU 10-6 2 0:32 KSU Terence Newman 98-yard PAT return KSU 12-6 3 3:55 KSU Darren Sproles 10-yard fun (Brite kick) KSU 19-6 4 14:55 KSU James Terry 10-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Roberson run) KSU 27-6 4 10:21 USC Keary Colbert 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Ryan Killeen kick) KSU 27-13 4 6:31 USC Sultan McCullough 25-yard run (Killeen kick) KSU 27-20 yes 2002 USC Trojans football team Junior quarterback Ell Roberson came off the bench early in the 2nd quarter to give the Wildcats a spark. Kansas State built a 27–6 lead before USC scored two 4th quarter touchdowns to make it a one-possession game. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer completed only 18 of 47 passes for 186 yards.Roberson comes off bench to pilot Wildcats https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=222642306 https://web.archive.org/web/20241212042509/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=222642306 dead December 12, 2024 ESPN September 22, 2002 September 8, 2019 Statistics USCKSU First downs 16 19 Total yards 276 347 Rushing yards 90 188 Passing yards 186 159 Turnovers 1 5 Time of possession 29:37 30:23 At Colorado No. 13 Kansas State at Colorado No. 13 Wildcats 0 14 14 3 Buffaloes 14 14 7 0 October 5 Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado 2:30 p.m. CDT 52,584 Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson, Jack Arute ABC 2002 Colorado Buffaloes football team Colorado–Kansas State football rivalry Oklahoma State Cowboys 0 9 0 0 Wildcats 12 13 6 13 2002 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team When not throwing for TDs, Roberson runs for them https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=222852306 https://web.archive.org/web/20241212042247/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=222852306 dead December 12, 2024 ESPN October 12, 2002 September 10, 2019 No. 8 Texas Texas at Kansas State No. 8 Longhorns 0 7 7 3 No. 17 Wildcats 0 6 0 8 October 19 KSU Stadium 50,659 2002 Texas Longhorns football team At Baylor 2002 Baylor Bears football team Kansas St. 44, Baylor 10 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/10/26/Kansas-St-44-Baylor-10/98351035672326/ UPI October 26, 2002 September 10, 2019 At Kansas Wildcats 30 13 21 0 Jayhawks 0 0 0 0 2002 Kansas Jayhawks football team K-State enjoys biggest romp ever over Jayhawks https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223062305 https://web.archive.org/web/20241212045141/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223062305 dead December 12, 2024 ESPN November 3, 2002 September 9, 2019 No. 21 Iowa State Iowa State at Kansas State No. 21 Cyclones 7 0 0 0 No. 12 Wildcats 13 17 28 0 November 9 KSU Stadium 49,504 Cooper Castleberry Ron Thulin, Charles Davis, Craig Sager, and Erin Andrews TBS 2002 Iowa State Cyclones football team Iowa State–Kansas State football rivalry Cyclones' dismantling features six turnovers, many penalties https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223132306 https://web.archive.org/web/20241212042021/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=223132306 dead December 12, 2024 ESPN November 9, 2002 September 9, 2019 Nebraska Nebraska at Kansas State Cornhuskers No. 11 Wildcats 0 6 7 0 14 7 7 21 November 16 KSU Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas 11:39 a.m. CST 52,221 Bill Land, Gary Reasons, and Jim Knox FSN 2002 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Wildcats Run By Nebraska https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2002/11/16/5583d603e4b06b726e6631f0_131478084993435530.aspx Kansas State University Athletic Dept. November 16, 2002 September 9, 2019 Statistics NEBKSU First downs 15 24 Total yards 231 507 Rushing yards 97 415 Passing yards 134 92 Turnovers 0 3 Time of possession 27:30 32:30 At Missouri Wildcats 10 7 14 7 Tigers 0 0 0 0 2002 Missouri Tigers football team Wildcats Walk Over Missouri https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2002/11/23/5583d619e4b06b726e66321e_131478161727429408.aspx?path=football Kansas State University Athletic Dept. November 23, 2002 September 10, 2019 Vs. Arizona State (Holiday Bowl) Kansas State vs. Arizona State No. 6 Wildcats 0 14 0 20 Sun Devils 0 20 0 7 December 27 Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA 7:00 p.m. CST 58,717 Mike Tirico, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, and Dr. Jerry Punch ESPN 2002 Holiday Bowl 2002 Arizona State Sun Devils football team Roster 2002 Kansas State Wildcats f 65 SR Thomas Barnett OT 79 SO Jon Doty OT 5 SR Marc Dunn QB 88 JR Thomas Hill TE 53 JR Nick Leckey OL y 64 JR Ryan Lilja OL y 3 JR Ell Roberson QB y 36 FR Ayo Saba RB 14 JR Jeff Schwinn QB 13 SR Brandon Solt WR 43 SO Darren Sproles RB y 82 JR James Terry WR 8 SR Taco Wallace WR y 81 SR Nick Warren TE 78 SR Steve Washington C 71 SO Michael Weiner OL 14 JR Eric Williams QB 90 SR Henry Bryant DL 7 JR Josh Buhl LB y 58 FR Quinton Dunham LB 18 JR Bryan Hickman LB y 9 JR Randy Jordan DB 8 SR James McGill DB 4 SR Terence Newman CB y 56 JR Terry Pierce LB y 30 SR Tank Reese DL y 83 FR Blake Seiler DE 98 JR Andrew Shull DE y 45 FR Ted Sims LB 29 SO Henry Thomas DB 96 SR Jerry Togiai DT 2 SR DeRon Tyler CB 1 SR Bobby Walker CB 2 JR Rashad Washington FS y 62 SR Corey White DT 97 SR Melvin Williams DE y Melvin Williams (American football) 26 SO Tyler Woolfolk DB 12 SR Derrick Yates FS 6 JR Jared Brite K/P 15 SO Joe Rheem K 19 FR Jeff Snodgrass K/P 52 SO Russ Vanover LS 72 JR Mike Wilson LS *Bill Snyder Ron Hudson – Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks Michel Smith – Running backs Greg Peterson – Wide receivers, passing game coordinator, & recruiting coordinator Matt Miller – Tight ends Paul Dunn – Offensive line Bret Bielema – Co-Defensive coordinator Bob Elliot – Co-Defensive coordinator & secondary Mo Lattimore – interior Defensive line Del Miller – Defensive ends Statistics Scores by quarter Kansas State 128 191 148 115 Opponents 34 65 28 27 Team KSU Opp Scoring 582 154   Points per game 44.8 11.8 First downs 273 175   Rushing 168 58   Passing 85 97   Penalty 20 20 Total offense 5,499 3237   Avg per play 6.3 3.7   Avg per game 423.0 249.0 Fumbles-Lost 37–18 23–13 Penalties-Yards 100–759 95–723   Avg per game 58.4 58.4 KSU Opp Punts-Yards 55–2,186 105–3974   Avg per punt 39.7 37.8 Time of possession/Game 31:13 28:47 3rd down conversions 76/166 58/205 4th down conversions 12/17 6/18 Touchdowns scored 79 19 Field goals-Attempts 11–16 7–12 PAT-Attempts 65–74 17–18 Attendance 384,654 163,338   Games/Avg per Game 8/48,082 4/40,834 Offense Rushing Name GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G Darren Sproles 13 237 1,517 52 1,465 6.2 17 80 112.7 Ell Roberson 12 202 1,276 244 1,032 5.1 16 91 86.0 Terrence Newman 13 2 29 3 26 13.0 0 29 2.0 Total 13 655 3,823 390 3,433 5.2 53 91 264.1 Opponents 13 446 1,405 501 904 2.0 7 85 69.5 Passing Name GP-GS Effic Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD Lng Avg/G Pct. Ell Roberson 12 136.47 175–91–4 1580 7 56 131.7 52.0 Marc Dunn 10 199.92 35–22–2 383 6 58 38.3 62.9 Total 13 146.97 223–120–6 2,066 14 58 158.9 53.8 Opponents 13 91.69 418–191–20 2,333 11 94 179.5 45.7 Receiving Name GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G Taco Wallace 13 39 704 18.1 5 58 54.2 James Terry 12 28 561 20.0 5 56 46.8 Total 13 120 2,066 17.2 14 58 158.9 Opponents 13 191 2,333 12.2 11 94 179.5 Awards and honors Terence Newman – Jim Thorpe Award and Consensus First-team All-American 2002 All-Big 12 Conference football team 2002 College Football All-America Team 2003 NFL draft 2003 NFL draft Player Position Round Pick NFL club Terence Newman Cornerback 1 5 Dallas Cowboys Terry Pierce Linebacker 2 51 Denver Broncos Melvin Williams Defensive end 5 155 New Orleans Saints Taco Wallace Wide receiver 7 224 Seattle Seahawks pro-football-reference.com 2003 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2003.htm 2019-09-10 2012-02-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20120205052449/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2003.htm dead References Kansas State Category:Kansas State Wildcats football seasons Category:Holiday Bowl champion seasons Kansas State Wildcats football