Kansas State gets another shot at top-ranked Oklahoma

(AP)-- Kansas State is about to get its wish _ a rematch with top-ranked Oklahoma. <br><br>In October, the Sooners ended the Wildcats' 25-game home winning streak. That month, Kansas State also lost

Monday, November 20th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(AP)-- Kansas State is about to get its wish _ a rematch with top-ranked Oklahoma.

In October, the Sooners ended the Wildcats' 25-game home winning streak. That month, Kansas State also lost to Texas A&M.

Three straight wins later, with the big one a one-point victory over Nebraska, and Kansas State is in the Big 12 championship game for the second time in three years. Kansas State (10-2, 6-2) and Oklahoma (10-0, 7-0) square off Dec. 2 in Kansas City.

``A lot of people counted us out after we lost to A&M,'' quarterback Jonathan Beasley said. ``It was a motivational factor for us.''

Coach Bill Snyder wasn't happy about the regular-season finale, a 28-24 victory at Missouri. Kansas State scored all but three of its points in the second quarter but sputtered in all phases most of the day.

That left Snyder and players in less than a celebratory mood after the game. Snyder said he would start focusing on Oklahoma once the team straightens itself out.

``I did want them to understand that under any circumstances, they were still the Northern Division champions, and were still a 10-2 team and that I was proud and pleased,'' Snyder said. ``But I also shared with them how it important it was for all of us to making a very, very strong commitment to improving.

``We did not play nearly as well as were capable of, and certainly not as well as we have in the past few weeks.''

Snyder said Kansas State players and coaches might need a bit of a breather in the two-week gap before the conference championship. The team will practice early this week, then take a few days off for Thanksgiving.

``Our kids need some time, they certainly do,'' Snyder said. ``Probably our assistant coaches need some time as well. And they'll get a little bit. Not much, but a little bit.''

Oklahoma advanced to the title game with a 27-13 victory over Texas Tech that was a little more difficult than had been anticipated. Heisman Trophy hopeful Josh Heupel was intercepted twice and had a season-low 248 yards passing, but led Oklahoma 71 yards in 12 plays for the clinching touchdown.

Oklahoma beat Kansas State 41-31 on Oct. 14, handing the Wildcats their first loss in seven games. Heupel was 29-of-37 for 374 yards and two touchdowns in that game against a defense that had been ranked No. 1.

``We played terrible against them in the first half, and we came back out in the second half and played hard and almost caught back up,'' KSU defensive end Chris Johnson said. ``Knowing we can play with them, and beat them, it's great motivation.''

Oklahoma led the first meeting 31-14 at the half.

In the rematch, Kansas State can spoil Oklahoma's hopes for a national title.

``It's a big deal,'' Johnson said. ``We want to win that game, and it will put us in a good bowl, a BCS bowl.''

Kansas State held off an inspired Missouri team playing to save the job of coach Larry Smith, who was fired Sunday after seven seasons. This was by far the most impressive showing in a finishing stretch of five losses in six games for Missouri (3-8, 2-6).

``They came out fighting,'' said Kansas State running back Josh Scobey, who ran for two touchdowns. ``Those guys were really fired up, and I was really shocked.''

Said an emotional Smith: ``I don't think I could ask them to play any better. The locker room feels like we won.''

Smith, 61, produced back-to-back bowl seasons in 1997 and '98, ending a string of 13 straight losing records for the school. But Missouri totaled seven victories the last two seasons and finished last in the North Division each year. He was 33-46-1 with the Tigers.