MANHATTAN, Kan., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A wall of Texas defenders blocked Jared Brite's attempted game-tying field goal with seven seconds remaining Saturday night as the eighth-ranked Longhorns defeated 19th-ranked Kansas State, 17-14.
Last week, the second-ranked Longhorns blew an 11-point lead in a 35-24 loss to third-ranked Oklahoma. Texas quarterback Chris Simms struggled mightily in that game, tossing three interceptions with no touchdowns while completing just 12 of 26 passes for 156 yards.
Simms was more effective in this contest, completing 13 of 24 attempts for 184 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. With the game tied at 14-14, he connected on a 32-yard strike to B.J. Johnson on third and 11 at the Kansas State 49, setting up Dusty Magnum's go-ahead, 27-yard field goal with 92 seconds remaining.
Ell Roberson quickly marched the Wildcats (5-2, 1-2 Big 12 North) back down the field, coming up with a pair of long passes to James Terry on consecutive plays with less than a minute to play.
But Brite -- who missed an extra-point attempt in the second quarter -- did not get enough loft to his 34-yard attempt to send the contest into overtime, handing the Wildcats a second defeat in three contests.
Texas (6-1, 2-1 Big 12 South) was paced by Johnson, who had four catches for 132 yards. Cedric Benson, who entered the game averaging 112.7 rushing yards per game, was limited to 59 on 23 carries.
Darren Sproles had 136 yards rushing for Kansas State, which outgained Texas on the ground, 159-46, but fell to 3-4 all time against the Longhorns. Roberson completed just seven of 18 attempts for 102 yards and one touchdown.
