Huskers Say Goodbye To Kansas State In Dominating Fashion. Next Is Texas.

Thursday night was a beautiful evening for college football. Especially in Manhattan, Kansas where it appears that the last sellout Manhattan will see for a long time took place.

Ironic that it would be the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a team that sold out every home game since the early 60s, would help in selling out their stadium in the Huskers last visit to Manhattan as a Big 12 member.

Manhattan had plenty to cheer for as their team was undefeated in the first four games. They celebrated with the longest run of the day as the team ran onto the field. As the camera panned the crowd you wondered if the red surrounded the purple or the purple surrounded the red.

Remember that at the beginning of the night Daniel Thomas, number eight playing for Kansas State, was being touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Boy how things change!

The game begins with no return on the kick off. The Cornhusker band plays. Kansas State opens their drive with Thomas, Thomas, and more Thomas. They convert two third downs and attempt to convert a fourth down at the 25 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They fail to convert and Nebraska takes over. Why they didn't take the three points I will never know. Black shirts celebrate.

So begins the T. Magic show. A few passes, a couple runs, and 14 yard scamper into the end zone by T. Magic results in the first Huskers score. The result...

NU 7 KSU 0

Watching the next drive-by Kansas State makes me wonder, does Kansas State have anybody other than Thomas on the team. Now they are in the Wildcat Formation with a direct snap to Thomas. This is almost silly.

They finally wear him out and send him to the sidelines for a play. Back to the game, Kansas State received the first and probably the last home cooking call of the game after a quarterback sneak for a first down on third and one. Three plays later it is time to kick it away. Nebraska ball.

Start of the second quarter, did I mention it is Kansas State coach Bill Snyder’s birthday today. Happy 71! I think I should send him a Little Red doll and a note saying thanks for the memories.

Nebraska gets a first down and that's about it. Time to kick it away; Kansas State now with the ball at midfield. Question is, will Thomas get the ball? I know I'll get a beer. Back to the game.

Kansas State does not disappoint and gets the ball to Thomas as much as possible, but the drive stalls. Kicking the ball for three points, good.

NU7 KSU 3

Time for some corn chips, corn dip in an oversized hamburger. Niles Paul? What were you thinking? Football on the 13 yard line. Second thought on the doll, can somebody produce a Little Red Pinocchio doll? Third-down penalty keeps the Nebraska drive alive. Still third-down but only one yard to go. Incredible that it is under four minutes to play in the second quarter, look out, Martinez for the touchdown.

NU14 KSU3

I am tired of being referred to as a member of the Children of the Corn. Thomas is on display again, not much happening there, giggle. Three and out, Nebraska ball. Niles fair catches the ball, good job.

Martinez is at it again. Drive results in a field goal after long run by Martinez. Halftime.

NU17 KSU3

It’s halftime, time to meet up with the neighbors in the backyard while the dogs do their business. Most neighbors are upbeat except the one from Kansas State. They appear to be out for the evening. I know better and ring the doorbell anyway. I hear the TV but there's no answer. They should get a doll too.

It's kickoff time, time for another beer. Halftime stats show that Kansas State has an advantage in time of possession. Good for them. Lucky for them that Nebraska didn't have the ball more. Niles returns the ball to the 20, I need a nap. Goodnight Kansas State, where do you see Martinez now? Touchdown Nebraska. The crowd was silenced except for the chanting of the red clad hordes, "GO BIG RED!”

NU 24 KSU 3

Kansas State is shut down and punts the ball. The Heisman Trophy talk is changed to the Nebraska sideline. Wonder what's next. Helu scores and then returns to the parking lot to start the student section bus so that they can return in time for class tomorrow.

NU 31 KSU 3

Bo is still running up and down the sidelines like a man possessed. Nebraska and KSU trade punts and I finished with my burger. Number eight for Kansas State is not looking much like a Heisman Trophy prospect. Almost to the end of the third quarter and the Kansas State neighbors just sneaked out of the house and are driving away. They will not be gone long and we have all weekend to talk about it. Field-goal. 

NU31 KSU 6

It doesn't take long for the Nebraska Cornhuskers to answer the field-goal with the touchdown. Martinez to Reed. 

NU38 KSU6

A flag with a big Nebraska N has been planted in the Kansas State alumni neighbors yard. Maybe they'll be converted to a Big Red fan just in time for next year.

Now the fourth quarter has arrived, garbage time on the field and bedtime for me. The kids are asleep and I am in bed watching the final minutes of the game. The game ends and I think I have found a Pinocchio doll that looks like Lil Red on Ebay.

Final NU 48 KSU 13

Wear red. BEAT TEXAS!!!