2000 Season Highlights

 

This season was strangely satisfying.  It started with high hopes for a national title.  After 2 losses in 3 weeks, it appeared that the season may not be salvageable, but the Cats rebounded, winning 3 games in a row to take the Big 12 North.  After losing a heartbreaking conference championship to eventual National Champion Oklahoma, the Cats defeated Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.  In addition:

The Cats became the 2nd team in history to win 11 games for 4 consecutive seasons.

The Cats defeated the highest ranked opponent in school history (Nebraska, #4).

The Cats won the Big 12 North for the 2nd time in 3 seasons.

The Cats won back-to-back bowl games for the first time and now have a career winning record in bowls (5-4).

The Cats defense was ranked #2 in overall defense and top 15 in every defensive category.

The Cats offense scored more points in 2000 than any other team in the NCAA.

The Cats went to their 8th straight bowl game.

Aaron Lockett finished first in the nation in punt return average, setting the Big 12 record in this category, as well.  Besides finishing as the 2nd team All-American return specialist (bogus!  He should have been first team!), he returned 3 punts for touchdowns, including one in the Big 12 Championship game.  He became the third player in history to return a punt for a touchdown in consecutive games.  He was voted Big 12 special teams player of the week three times.

 

Quincy Morgan led the Big 12 in receiving yards and touchdowns for the second straight season.  He also set a K-State record for receiving yards in a season and tied the team record for most TDs in a season.  He was also voted Big 12 offensive player of the week twice.

 

Jonathan Beasley set a K-State rushing record with 17 rushing TDs in a season and set a Big 12 record with 5 rushing TDs in a single game.  He was voted Big 12 player of the week once.  He became the first K-State quarterback to win consecutive bowl games and was voted offensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl, the second straight time he was voted Bowl MVP.

 

Jamie Rheem finished as runner-up for the Lou Groza award as the top place kicker in college football.  He was also voted to 2nd team All-American and first team All-Big 12.

 

Terry Pierce was voted the Big 12 defensive freshman of the year.  

 

Mario Fatafehi was voted 2nd team All-American.  

 

Derrick Yates was voted the Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year.  

 

Monte Beisel was selected as Big 12 defensive player of the week 2 times and was named first team All-Big 12.


Jeremetrius Butler was named first team All-Big 12 and honorable mention All-American.

 

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