Kansas State's loss to Oklahoma stung more than people know

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Oklahoma more than beat Kansas State. <br><br>With a 41-31 victory last month, the Sooners cast doubt on whether the Wildcats with their pillowy-soft schedule even deserved a place

Thursday, November 30th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Oklahoma more than beat Kansas State.

With a 41-31 victory last month, the Sooners cast doubt on whether the Wildcats with their pillowy-soft schedule even deserved a place among the college football elite.

Ben Leber, still perspiring, gave voice to what Kansas State fans everywhere must have been wishing on that chilly night in the Flint Hills.

``I hope we'll see them again this year in Kansas City,'' said the senior linebacker. ``Things might be different then.''

And so the Wildcats have their wish. As Saturday night's Big 12 title game against No. 1 Oklahoma drew near, they were working hard to learn their plays, absorb the game plan and keep their feelings in check.

``If we come out and play with too much emotion we'll lose focus,'' Leber said. ``There's obviously that burning desire to get revenge. But you have to take it as a game and keep it on the lines. We know what's at stake here.''

Kansas State (10-2) was ranked No. 2 and hoping for a shot at the national championship when Josh Heupel and his eighth-ranked Sooners came to Manhattan and manhandled them.

The sting of the loss was even greater because it seemed to validate critics who had said for years that Kansas State was merely a pretender, building a reputation by routing an unending parade of pushovers.

Everyone knew, including the Wildcats, that Oklahoma was the first team of ability they had met all year.

``The last couple of weeks has been all about business,'' said quarterback Jonathan Beasley, who was plainly outplayed by Heupel in their first game.

``They beat us earlier in the year so we know what we need to do.''

The Wildcats have taken a cue from defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.

``We decided to start over after that loss,'' said defensive back Jon McGraw. ``Coach Bennett has a saying that people in football remember November. So that's what we're going to try to do.''

At the same time Oklahoma knocked Kansas State out of the national championship picture, the Sooners jumped into contention themselves. In their next game, they beat No. 1 Nebraska and assumed the ranking they'll be out to protect Saturday night in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

At stake for Oklahoma is a ticket to the Orange Bowl to battle Florida State for the Sooners' first national championship since 1985. On the line for the Wildcats is a big dose of revenge, a possible Fiesta Bowl bid and vindication that they are indeed a member of the game's elite.

``I think we've got some scores to settle with them from October,'' said running back Josh Scobey. ``It's really good to get a second chance. We believe that we've got everything to gain and everything to lose. We feel like we have a lot riding on this ball game.''

The Wildcats would love nothing more than to spoil Oklahoma's party.

``As far as the revenge factor, if you've got a competitive bone in your body, you kind of want to play a team that's beat you, and we feel very fortunate to get that chance again,'' McGraw said. ``We've got some competitors on this team. It will be a fun game.''

Even coach Bill Snyder admits a victory over Oklahoma would go a long way toward validating his program in the eyes of the critics.

``It would mean the first time that we won an out-and-out league title,'' he said. ``That would be a positive step.''