2017 Week 10

The season of highs and lows for NSU's 100th Season continued Saturday, but a little higher than low.

NSU squeaked out a 42-31 home victory over the winless Kansas State Wildcats in a game that was actually closer than the close score would indicate.

Behind the running of league leading rusher Buchanan, K-State powered the ball down the throats for the Prairie Dog defense. The Wildcats drove down the field on the opening possession and took a 7-0 lead early on.

KSU would extend the led after Tony Schifano fired an interception on NSU's first offensive series. Buchanan busted loose on a 20-yard gallop to put the 'Cats up 14-0 in the first. Franklin would tie the game after consecutive one-yard plunges for Nebraska State.

Schifano would settle down after the first series and complete his next seven passes, including a 42-yard scoring strike to Rodgers, to put the Prairie Dogs on top 21-14. However, as NSU was driving to extend the lead before half, Schifano had a tipped pass stolen by K-State's Evans. Kansas State would capitalize on the error as Greene found Rodriguez for the second time in the half to tie the game.

NSU coach Ryan Ditka would put in freshman quarterback DaMario Bates for the last series before halftime. The heralded recruit showed why he was so coveted a year ago. Facing 3 and 17, Bates took a shotgun snap and ran the option with Franklin to the right side. As three 'Cat defenders tried to bring the QB down for a seven-yard gain, Bates got the ball off to Franklin for a 31-yard gain. Proving the future star is still a freshman, two plays later Bates forced the ball into double coverage and K-State came away with the pick.

"We shot ourselves quite a few times there in the first half. Whenever we had something going, we messed it up with a turnover," Ditka said. "Offensively we were moving the ball well, so I wasn't all that concerned at the moment."

With Schifano starting the second half, NSU took just two plays to take the lead back. After a 12-yard gain by Franklin on first down, Schifano lofted a perfect pass to a streaking Austin for a 61-yard touchdown.

K-State came back with buckets of Buchanan. The junior running back carried the ball seven times in a nine-play drive that resulted in Buchanan's second score from two yards out.

"We knew the kid was good and we knew he'd get some yards," Ditka said. "I'm disappointed because I thought we could slow him down some, but he's a good player."

The lone star for 0-8 K-State shone brightly as the junior galloped to 213 yards on 28 carries. Of those yards, 129 came after initial contact.

K-State would regain the lead early in the fourth on a 24-yard field goal with 6:12 remaining. Bates re-entered the game for a series to provide some mobility for NSU. The plan worked. Moving down the field quickly with another picture-perfect pitch to Franklin, Bates showed he can make the plays we it is on the line.

Rolling out to his left on 3rd and 4 with just over two minutes remaining, Bates was chased backwards and rolled back to his right. Noticing the breakdown of the play, Ruud cut back to his right as well. Appearing to tuck the ball and run, Bates charged towards the line of scrimmage and quickly lofted a soft pass to Ruud, who leaped to grab the game-winning score. Hodges would add security points on a 55-yard interception return on K-State's next possession.

"These types of games not only builds character, but also a lot of gray hair," Ditka said. "We'll take the win but we have got to shore up our defense."

NSU will host #24 Colorado Saturday. The Buffs defeated Missouri 41-10 and is tied with Nebraska atop the Big 12 North. NSU must win Saturday to stay in the hunt for the North title. Nebraska and Colorado play in the final regular season game.

Other games of note:
#16 Nebraska 77, Kansas 7; #7 Notre Dame 27, #4 LSU 10; #10 Texas aTm 49, Texas Tech 7.