The pivotal Big XII North matchup between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the 25th ranked Kansas State Wildcats was a contest for the first thirty minutes, but the second half was all KSU as the Wildcats embarrassed the 18th ranked Huskers 38-9 and put themselves in the drivers seat for the division crown.

The victory was the first KSU win in Lincoln since 1968.

Led by quarterback Ell Roberson, Kansas State exploded for 24 unanswered second half points. Nebraska's only tally in the final half came when the Wildcats took an intentional safety in the fourth quarter.

"The third quarter was disastrous and the fourth quarter didn't get any better," said Husker head coach Frank Solich

Roberson completed 15-of-28 passes for 313 yards and two scores against a Husker defense that led the nation in pass efficiency defense coming into today's game.

The win was a satisfying one for KSU quarterback Ell Roberson, who participated in verbal sparring with the Huskers even up until the game's opening coin toss.

"It was personal for me, seeing as we beat them last year and said we couldn't do it again. I just wanted to prove today, that with the guys behind me that we could," Roberson said.

Things looked promising for a competitive game at halftime. The teams went into the locker rooms tied at seven. When play resumed in the third, the Wildcats wasted no time in taking control.

On Nebraska's first possession of the half, Husker quarterback Jammal Lord was hit and turned over the ball at the NU 23-yard line. Roberson gave KSU the lead three plays later, as he scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. They added another three points before the end of the period on a 27-yard field goal to go up 17-7.

Kansas State's offense kept up the attack in the fourth, scoring twice on Roberson to James Terry passes covering 63 and 37 yards.

Nebraska got a safety with 3:43 remaining when the Kansas State punter ran out of the end zone to close to within 31-9, but Ayo Saba's 6-yard touchdown run with 1:38 remaining provided the final margin.

The loss dropped the Huskers to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference as they head towards the regular season finale against Colorado in two weeks.

I-Back Corey Ross, who was making his first start of the year, carried 16 times for 87 yards, while Lord toted 21 times for 88 yards. The Husker quarterback threw for 98 yards and a touchdown, but missed several big plays opportunities through the air, completing only 8-of-26 attempts.

Kansas State scored the game's first points late in the first period. Thanks to a 40-yard Roberson to James Terry pass the Wildcats were able to march down to the 22. From there, Darren Sproles pounded his way in on an option play for the touchdown and a 7-0 Wildcat lead with 1:35 left in the period.

With Kansas State charging again, Nebraska's defense stepped up to turn the momentum. Josh Bullocks intercepted his tenth pass of the year in the end zone and returned it to the 41. Nebraska marched the distance to score on a controversial play. With the ball at the KSU 12-yard line Lord appeared to be tackled behind the line of scrimmage. He got a wobbly throw off in the arms of Mark LeFlore in the end zone for a touchdown.

Both teams got close enough for field goal attempts on their next drives. Kansas State's opportunity sailed wide right, while Nebraska saw their attempt blocked.

A final drive in the half by the Wildcats ended with the Husker defense's second interception.