The score doesn't show it, but this was actually a pretty good game...for the first quarter, anyway. The KSU Wildcats opened the game with a 61-yard scoring drive, capped by a 4-yard run from running back Eric Hickson. But the Rams answered with a drive of their own, moving the ball 47 yards for a game-tying touchdown. Jaime Blake did the touchdown honors with a 2-yard scamper.

A scary moment in the game came at the end of KSU's opening drive in the second quarter. Quarterback Matt Miller started on a keeper, only to have Brady Smith, Nate Kvamme and DeVaughn Hawkins collapse on him. Miller was motionless on the field for several minutes, before leaving on a stretcher. He had X-rays, which came out negative, taken in the Jack Murphy training room, and was taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures.

After that, the game seemed to be right there for the Rams to take. KSU punted on the next play, giving CSU a first and 10 from their own 20. But CSU was penalized on its first two plays, and QB Moses Moreno had his 3rd-and-9 pass attempt picked off by KSU safety Mario Smith at the CSU 24-yard line. Two plays later the Wildcats found the end zone, and backup quarterback Brian Kavanagh, who finished the game 18 of 24 for 242 yards and four touchdowns, had yet to throw a pass.

KSU reached the end zone on its next posession, putting the Wildcats up 19-7 in just over three minutes. The Wildcats added another score before the half, and headed into the locker room up 26-7.

The third quarter saw an offensive explosion from both teams (mostly KSU) as they combined for 35 points in the wide open quarter. That ties a Holiday Bowl record for the most points scored in a quarter (Wyoming and Oklahoma State in 1988). After the offensive smoke had cleared, the Wildcats held a 47-21 lead, and only had to run out the final 15 minutes of the game.

But they didn't. Kavanagh hit wide receiver Mitch Running with a 33-yard touchdown with 7:46 left in the game, closing the scoring with KSU up 54-21.

POST-GAME STATS:

CSU starting QB Moses Moreno finished with five completions in 24 attempts for 91 yards and no touchdowns. Daren Wilkinson, playing the mop-up role, was one 0f five for 41 yards.

Fullback Damon Washington was the Rams leading rusher, finishing with 101 yards in the losing effort.

Kavanagh, filling in for the injured Miller, was 18 of 24 for 242 yards and 4 touchdown strikes. He waws named the game's offensive MVP.

Mario Smith, a consistent player who is usually overlooked on this flashy KSU defense, was the defensive MVP.

Quote of the Game: "No." KSU's outspoken coach Bill Snyder on whether he was surprised his team put up 54 points against the CSU defense.