The 2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. The team finished the season with a win–loss record of 11 wins and 4 losses, and a Big 12 Conference record of 6 wins and 2 losses. They notched a stunning 35–7 victory over the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game. With their 1st conference championship since 1934, they earned a berth in one of the Bowl Championship Series bowl games, the 2004 Fiesta Bowl, where they were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes, 35–28. The Wildcats played 15 games, most in school history.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons teams were allowed to schedule 12 games as well as a kickoff game. As a result, Kansas State became only the second team in the modern era to play a 15-game schedule. The first was the 1996 BYU Cougars.
Running back Darren Sproles led the nation in rushing, and the Wildcats scored 549 points, good for third all-time at Kansas State.
Until 2022, this was the only season in college football history in which Kansas State, Kansas, and Missouri all played in a bowl game in the same season.
Schedule
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Rank |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
August 23 |
6:45 p.m. |
vs. California*
|
No. 7 |
|
ESPN |
W 42–28 |
50,823 |
August 30 |
6:10 p.m. |
Troy State*
|
No. 7 |
|
|
W 41–5 |
41,812 |
September 6 |
6:10 p.m. |
McNeese State*
|
No. 7 |
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS
|
|
W 55–14 |
44,544 |
September 13 |
1:10 p.m. |
UMass*
|
No. 7 |
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS
|
|
W 38–7 |
46,102 |
September 20 |
11:40 a.m. |
Marshall*
|
No. 6 |
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS
|
FSN |
L 20–27 |
46,700 |
October 4 |
2:30 p.m. |
at No. 13 Texas
|
No. 16 |
|
ABC |
L 20–24 |
83,643 |
October 11 |
11:30 a.m. |
at Oklahoma State
|
No. 22 |
|
FSN |
L 34–38 |
46,087 |
October 18 |
1:10 p.m. |
Colorado |
|
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS (rivalry)
|
|
W 49–20 |
51,536 |
October 25 |
1:10 p.m. |
Kansas |
|
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS (rivalry)
|
|
W 42–6 |
51,614 |
November 1 |
1:10 p.m. |
Baylor
|
|
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS
|
|
W 38–10 |
44,885 |
November 8 |
1:00 p.m. |
at Iowa State
|
|
|
|
W 45–0 |
40,124 |
November 15 |
2:30 p.m. |
at No. 18 Nebraska
|
|
|
ABC |
W 38–9 |
78,014 |
November 22 |
6:10 p.m. |
Missouri |
No. 19 |
- KSU Stadium
- Manhattan, KS
|
TBS |
W 24–14 |
49,685 |
December 6 |
7:00 p.m. |
vs. No. 1 Oklahoma
|
No. 13 |
|
ABC |
W 35–7 |
79,451 |
January 2 |
7:15 p.m. |
vs. No. 7 Ohio State*
|
No. 8 |
|
ABC |
L 28–35 |
73,425 |
- *Non-conference game
-
Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Central time
|
Roster
2003 Kansas State Wildcats football team roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
|
Defense
|
Special teams
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
K/P
|
6
|
Jared Brite
|
Sr
|
K
|
15
|
Joe Rheem
|
Jr
|
LS
|
72
|
Mike Wilson
|
Sr
|
LS
|
52
|
Russ Vanover
|
Jr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
-
Del Miller – Co-Offensive Coordinator & quarterbacks
- Greg Peterson – Co-Offensive coordinator & wide receivers
- Michael Smith – Running backs
-
Matt Miller – Tight ends
- Bob Stanley – Offensive line
-
Bret Bielema – Co-Defensive coordinator
- Bob Elliot – Co-Defensive coordinator & secondary
- Mo Latimore – interior Defensive line
- Joe Bob Clements – Defensive ends
- Legend
-
(C) Team captain
-
(S) Suspended
-
(I) Ineligible
-
Injured
-
Redshirt
|
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
— = Not ranked. ( ) = First place votes.
|
Week |
Poll |
Pre |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
Final |
AP |
7 (1)
|
7 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
16 |
16 |
22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
19 |
14 |
13 |
8 |
14 |
Coaches |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
16 |
14 |
21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
25 |
18 |
15 |
13 |
10 |
13 |
BCS |
Not released |
— |
15 |
15 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
Not released |
Game summaries
Vs. California
California vs. #7 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Golden Bears |
7 |
7 |
0 |
14 |
28 |
• Wildcats
|
10 |
17 |
8 |
7 |
42 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
12:45 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 5-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 7–0 |
|
1 |
10:39 |
Cal |
Vincent Strang 34-yard pass from Reggie Robertson (Tyler Fredrickson kick) |
Tied 7–7 |
|
1 |
6:29 |
KSU |
Joe Rheem 22-yard field goal |
KSU 10–7 |
|
2 |
7:37 |
KSU |
Travis Wilson 5-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 17–7 |
|
2 |
4:25 |
KSU |
Joe Rheem 37-yard field goal |
KSU 20–7 |
|
2 |
3:54 |
KSU |
James Terry 52-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 27–7 |
|
2 |
1:58 |
Cal |
Geoff McArthur 65-yard pass from Reggie Robertson (Fredrickson kick) |
KSU 27–14 |
|
3 |
8:46 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 11-yard run (Roberson run) |
KSU 35–14 |
|
4 |
12:34 |
Cal |
J. J. Arrington 22-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Fredrickson kick) |
KSU 35–21 |
|
4 |
10:14 |
KSU |
Davin Dennis 28-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 42–21 |
|
4 |
4:27 |
Cal |
J. J. Arrington 7-yard pass from Reggie Robertson (Fredrickson kick) |
KSU 42–28 |
|
Troy State
Troy State at #7 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Trojans |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
• Wildcats
|
7 |
27 |
0 |
7 |
41 |
|
McNeese State
McNeese State at #7 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Cowboys |
0 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
14 |
• Wildcats
|
24 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
55 |
|
UMass
UMass at #7 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Minutemen |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
• Wildcats
|
3 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
38 |
|
Marshall
Marshall at #6 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Thundering Herd
|
7 |
9 |
0 |
11 |
27 |
Wildcats |
7 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
20 |
|
At Texas
#16 Kansas State at #13 Texas
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Wildcats |
0 |
3 |
9 |
8 |
20 |
• Longhorns
|
7 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
24 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
4:10 |
Texas |
Tony Jeffery blocked punt return (Dusty Mangum kick) |
Texas 7–0 |
|
2 |
13:30 |
Texas |
Dusty Mangum 22-yard field goal |
Texas 10–0 |
|
2 |
3:45 |
KSU |
Joe Rheem 41-yard field goal |
Texas 10–3 |
|
2 |
1:00 |
Texas |
Sloan Thomas 51-yard pass from Chance Mock (Mangum kick) |
Texas 17–3 |
|
3 |
12:24 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 27-yard run (Rheem kick) |
Texas 17–10 |
|
3 |
10:04 |
KSU |
Safety |
Texas 17–12 |
|
4 |
14:00 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 1-yard run (Roberson run) |
KSU 20–17 |
|
4 |
5:45 |
Texas |
Vince Young 1-yard run (Mangum kick) |
Texas 24–20 |
|
At Oklahoma State
#22 Kansas State at Oklahoma State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Wildcats |
7 |
7 |
7 |
13 |
34 |
• Cowboys
|
7 |
14 |
14 |
3 |
38 |
|
Colorado
Colorado at Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Buffaloes |
7 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
20 |
• Wildcats
|
9 |
6 |
14 |
20 |
49 |
|
Kansas
Kansas at Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Jayhawks |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
• Wildcats
|
7 |
21 |
14 |
0 |
42 |
|
Baylor
Baylor at Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Bears |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
• Wildcats
|
0 |
14 |
10 |
14 |
38 |
|
At Iowa State
Kansas State at Iowa State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Wildcats
|
7 |
7 |
24 |
7 |
45 |
Cyclones |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
5:35 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 23-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 7–0 |
|
2 |
14:55 |
KSU |
Thomas Hill 9-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 14–0 |
|
3 |
14:49 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 70-yard run (Rheem kick) |
KSU 21–0 |
|
3 |
10:25 |
KSU |
James Terry 20-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 28–0 |
|
3 |
9:18 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 32-yard run (Rheem kick) |
KSU 35–0 |
|
3 |
0:31 |
KSU |
Joe Rheem 38-yard field goal |
KSU 38–0 |
|
4 |
3:41 |
KSU |
Dylan Meier 30-yard run (Rheem kick) |
KSU 45–0 |
|
At Nebraska
Kansas State at #18 Nebraska
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Wildcats
|
7 |
0 |
10 |
21 |
38 |
Cornhuskers |
0 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
1:42 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 22-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 7–0 |
|
2 |
7:45 |
NEB |
Mark LeFlore 5-yard pass from Jammal Lord (David Dyches kick) |
Tied 7–7 |
|
3 |
9:30 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 11-yard run (Rheem kick) |
KSU 14–7 |
|
3 |
1:05 |
KSU |
Rheem 27-yard field goal |
KSU 17–7 |
|
4 |
14:55 |
KSU |
James Terry 63-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 24–7 |
|
4 |
10:00 |
KSU |
James Terry 37-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 31–7 |
|
4 |
3:45 |
NEB |
Safety |
KSU 31–9 |
|
4 |
1:38 |
KSU |
Ayo Saba 6-yard run (Rheem kick) |
KSU 38–9 |
|
The Wildcats clinched a share of the Big 12 North title by winning in Lincoln for the first time since 1968. Kansas State also handed the Cornhuskers their worst defeat at Memorial Stadium since 1958.
Missouri
Missouri at #19 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
Tigers |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
• Wildcats
|
7 |
14 |
3 |
0 |
24 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
10:09 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 5-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 7-0 |
|
2 |
14:49 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 7-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 14-0 |
|
2 |
6:00 |
MIZ |
DeQuincy Howard 2-yard pass from Brad Smith (Matheny kick) |
KSU 14-7 |
|
2 |
0:39 |
KSU |
Ell Robertson 1-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
KSU 21-7 |
|
3 |
0:40 |
KSU |
Joe Rheem 40-yard field goal |
KSU 24-7 |
|
4 |
3:35 |
MIZ |
Zack Abron 37-yard run (Matheny kick) |
KSU 24-14 |
|
Darren Sproles ran for a school-record 273 yards in the win over Missouri. Sproles also broke the single-season rushing record for the second consecutive year.
Vs. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship game)
#13 Kansas State Wildcats vs. #1 Oklahoma Sooners
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Wildcats
|
0 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
35 |
Sooners |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
12:19 |
OU |
Kejuan Jones 42-yard run (Trey DiCarlo kick) |
OU 7–0 |
|
2 |
13:57 |
KSU |
Brian Casey 19-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Joe Rheem kick) |
Tied 7–7 |
|
2 |
11:34 |
KSU |
James Terry 63-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 14–7 |
|
2 |
3:18 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 60-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 21–7 |
|
3 |
3:02 |
KSU |
Antoine Polite 60-yard pass from Ell Roberson (Rheem kick) |
KSU 28–7 |
|
4 |
10:24 |
KSU |
Ted Sims 27-yard interception return (Rheem kick) |
KSU 35–7 |
|
Kansas State manhandled the #1 Sooners at Arrowhead Stadium to win their first conference title since 1934.
Vs. Ohio State (Fiesta Bowl)
#7 Ohio State vs. #8 Kansas State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
• Buckeyes
|
14 |
7 |
14 |
0 |
35 |
Wildcats |
0 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
28 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
|
1 |
6:41 |
OSU |
John Hollins 7-yard blocked punt return (Mike Nugent kick) |
OSU 7–0 |
|
1 |
2:49 |
OSU |
Santonio Holmes 6-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) |
OSU 14–0 |
|
2 |
6:49 |
OSU |
Mike Jenkins 17-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) |
OSU 21–0 |
|
2 |
3:01 |
KSU |
Darren Sproles 6-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
OSU 21–7 |
|
3 |
8:59 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 14-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
OSU 21–14 |
|
3 |
4:53 |
OSU |
Michael Jenkins 8-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) |
OSU 28–14 |
|
3 |
0:37 |
OSU |
Santonio Holmes 31-yard pass from Craig Krenzel (Mike Nugent kick) |
OSU 35–14 |
|
4 |
13:25 |
KSU |
Ayo Saba 3-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
OSU 35–21 |
|
4 |
2:47 |
KSU |
Ell Roberson 1-yard run (Joe Rheem kick) |
OSU 35–28 |
|
Statistics
Scores by quarter
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4 |
Total |
Kansas State
|
95
|
175
|
130
|
149 |
549 |
Opponents
|
74
|
81
|
38
|
51 |
244 |
|
Team
|
KSU |
Opp
|
Scoring |
549 |
244
|
Points per Game |
36.6 |
16.3
|
First Downs |
319 |
232
|
Rushing |
176 |
98
|
Passing |
127 |
121
|
Penalty |
16 |
13
|
Total Offense |
6,615 |
4,246
|
Avg per Play |
6.2 |
4.3
|
Avg per Game |
441.0 |
283.1
|
Fumbles-Lost |
22-13 |
13-9
|
Penalties-Yards |
98-726 |
104-846
|
Avg per Game |
48.4 |
56.4
|
|
|
KSU |
Opp
|
Punts-Yards |
71-2,859 |
112-4,113
|
Avg per Punt |
40.3 |
36.7
|
Time of Possession/Game |
30:24 |
29:36
|
3rd Down Conversions |
82/205 |
63/229
|
4th Down Conversions |
10/20 |
8/20
|
Touchdowns Scored |
73 |
31
|
Field Goals-Attempts |
12-17 |
8-18
|
PAT-Attempts |
67-68 |
28-29
|
Attendance |
376,878 |
247,868
|
Games/Avg per Game |
8/47,110 |
4/61,967
|
|
Offense
Rushing
Name |
GP |
Att |
Gain |
Loss |
Net |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
Avg/G
|
Darren Sproles |
15 |
306 |
2,067 |
81 |
1,986 |
6.5 |
16 |
73 |
132.4
|
Ell Roberson |
13 |
227 |
1135 |
160 |
975 |
4.3 |
15 |
33 |
75.0
|
Total |
15 |
688 |
3,817 |
388 |
3,429 |
5.0 |
42 |
73 |
228.6
|
Opponents |
15 |
549 |
2,113 |
486 |
1,627 |
3.0 |
6 |
45 |
108.5
|
Passing
Name |
GP-GS |
Effic |
Att-Cmp-Int |
Yds |
TD |
Lng |
Avg/G |
Pct.
|
Ell Roberson |
13 |
143.19 |
294-152-12 |
2,545 |
24 |
63 |
195.8 |
51.7
|
Jeff Schwin |
6 |
119.99 |
68-37-3 |
563 |
1 |
41 |
93.8 |
54.4
|
Total |
15 |
137.50 |
371-194-17 |
3,186 |
25 |
63 |
212.4 |
52.3
|
Opponents |
15 |
104.41 |
447-224-20 |
2,619 |
19 |
65 |
174.6 |
50.1
|
Receiving
Name |
GP |
No. |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Long |
Avg/G
|
James Terry |
15 |
64 |
1,232 |
19.2 |
13 |
63 |
82.1
|
Antoine Polite |
13 |
29 |
409 |
14.1 |
1 |
36 |
31.5
|
Total |
15 |
194 |
3,186 |
16.4 |
25 |
63 |
212.4
|
Opponents |
15 |
224 |
2,619 |
11.7 |
19 |
65 |
174.6
|
Awards and honors
2004 NFL Draft