Smith throws late interception to give Snyder a last gift

By STEVE BRISENDINE/AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Bill Snyder closed out his 17-year coaching career at Kansas State with his first victory since October, and the Wildcats came back from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half to beat Missouri 36-28 Saturday.

Kansas State (5-6, 2-6 Big 12), which scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams, broke a five-game losing streak. It has not lost to the Tigers since 1992. Thomas Clayton ran for 102 yards for the Wildcats, and Allen Webb came off the bench to run for 91 yards and throw for 93 yards and a go-ahead touchdown to Jordy Nelson midway through the fourth quarter.

Missouri (6-5, 4-4) saw its slim chance to win the Big 12 North slip away at the newly renamed Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The name was changed Wednesday, a day after Snyder announced his retirement.

Brad Smith threw for three touchdowns and ran for another for the Tigers but negated his big game with a costly mistake that helped Kansas State clinch the victory.

With just over 1 1/2 minutes to go, and the Wildcats clinging to a 29-28 lead, Smith threw directly to Kansas State linebacker Brandon Archer, who returned the ball 45 yards for a touchdown.

Smith finished with 248 yards passing and 71 yards rushing.

Kansas State trailed 28-14 early in the third quarter before mounting its comeback behind Webb, who lost his starting job in early October but replaced an ineffective Allan Evridge in the second half.

Victor Mann ran for a 23-yard score midway through the third to get the Wildcats within 28-21, and they appeared ready to tie the game when Webb's 19-yard gain gave them first-and-goal on the 1 early in the fourth quarter.

Kansas State couldn't punch the ball in, though, and Webb's third-down fumble was recovered by Missouri's Dedrick Herrington at the 3. But on the Tigers' first snap, defensive tackle Steven Kline tackled Tony Temple in the end zone for a safety that made it 28-23.

After the ensuing free kick, Kansas State drove downfield but faced fourth-and-5 at the Missouri 10. Nelson, running a crossing pattern, snagged Webb's pass at the 2 and cut in for a 29-28 lead.

Mann's 2-point conversion run failed, and Missouri was still within one when the Tigers took over at their own 19 with 2:08 left. Three plays later, under heavy defensive pressure, Smith flipped the ball straight to Kansas State's Archer in the left flat.

Missouri could have tied the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion, but Smith's fourth-down pass to William Franklin fell incomplete with 52 seconds left.