1993 Copper Bowl |
| TUCSON, Ariz.- It's probable that not even Bill Snyder could
have scripted the events of Dec. 29, 1993, any better as K-State
put the finishing touches on one of its finest football seasons
in school history with a breathtaking 52-17 total domination
of Wyoming. Although there were plenty of chapters still to be written, one can't find much skepticism with the fact that it was the greatest night in Kansas State football history. Perhaps K-State Athletics Director Max Urick set the tone for the day with an inspirational speech at the Copper Bowl Kickoff Luncheon earlier that afternoon. "As the sun begins to set on Tucson tonight," Urick said, "you're going to see a purple haze on the horizon. Because they're coming and they're coming by the thousands." An estimated 20,000 Wildcat fans made up almost half of the 49,075 fans who helped set a Copper Bowl attendance record. With the east side of the stadium bulging at the seams with purple, the Wildcats proceeded to manhandle the Western Athletic Conference tri-champions. Wyoming took a quick 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal, but the rest, as they say, is history. K-State put its high-powered offense into overdrive and scored on its first three possessions. J.J. Smith put K-State on the board with a two-yard TD run as the Wildcats drove 68 yards in just six plays to take a 6-3 lead. Tate Wright added a 22-yard field goal, and on its third possession, K-State drove 76 yards in only eight plays to take a 16-3 lead on Chad May's two-yard TD plunge. In the first quarter alone, K-State rolled up 134 yards of total offense, including 90 yards on nine carries by Smith. Wyoming cut the lead to 16-10 near the end of the second quarter until two huge plays sandwiched around halftime ignited the rout. With 1:07 left in the first half, Wyoming punted deep in its own territory. Second-team All-American Andre Coleman fielded the ball at his own 32, sidestepped two defenders and then raced untouched down the far sideline for a touchdown to put K-State ahead 24-10 at the half. Coleman and company began the second half right where they left off and quickly broke the Cowboys' spirit with a dazzling 61-yard touchdown pass from May to Coleman just 54 seconds into the third quarter. Freshman All-American Kevin Lockett then put K-State ahead 38-10 midway through the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown reception. Reserve running back Leon Edwards later added a 13-yard touchdown run, and cornerback Kenny McEntyre provided the game's crowning moment with a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over six minutes left in the game. The final numbers were staggering. K-State's offense was a purple juggernaut, rolling up 502 yards and averaging 7.5 yards per play. Coleman amassed 283 all-purpose yards (144 receiving, seven rushing, 73 on punt returns and 59 on kickoff returns) to earn offensive MVP honors. On the ground, J.J. Smith shattered the Copper Bowl record with 133 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries. |