Wildcats hang on to upset Cowboys

STILLWATER, Okla. — Looks like 78-yearold Kansas State coach Bill Snyder still knows how to reach young people.

Snyder made it a point to tell his team it was a heavy underdog heading into Saturday’s matchup with No. 10 Oklahoma State, and it was the perfect button to push. Byron Pringle caught three touchdown passes and returned a kickoff for another score to help the Wildcats stun the Cowboys 45-40 on Saturday.

The Wildcats were a 19 ½ -point underdog Friday.

“We all knew it wasn’t an accurate number, but I told them you’re going to have to go out there and prove it, and we proved it tonight,” Snyder said.

Oklahoma State nearly erased a 29-point deficit in the second half, but Kansas State (6-5, 4-4 Big 12) held on to become bowl eligible for the eighth consecutive season.

“This is what we’ve been capable of all year long,” Kansas State linebacker Jayd Kirby said.

Pringle caught four passes for a careerhigh 166 yards the day after his 24th birthday. His kickoff return touchdown covered 89 yards.

Freshman Skylar Thompson threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 93 yards and a score in his second start for the injured Jesse Ertz.

Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph passed for 425 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score. James Washington caught eight passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns for the Cowboys (8-3, 5-3).