1999 Season Highlights
The season started with the Cats losing 3 All-Americans, the Heisman trophy runner-up, the starting punter, the Groza Award Runner-Up place kicker, 9 offensive starters and 5 defensive starters. The Cats started #22 in the pre-season rankings. At the end of the season:
The Cats won 11 games for the 3rd consecutive season, finishing 11-1.
The Cats defeated a top 20 Texas team on the road.
The Cats finished in the top 10 in defense and #1 in pass efficiency.
At #6, the Cats finished with their highest ranking, ever.
| Mark Simoneau was the runner-up for the Butkus Award for top linebacker. Despite finishing ahead of Lavar Arrington in Total tackles and matching him in sacks, Arrington was (wrongfully) awarded the Butkus. Simoneau was also a first team All-American and Big 12 defensive player of the year. Against Texas, he returned an interception for a touchdown, forced a fumble, and sacked the QB. He was named Big 12 defensive player of the week 2 times. |
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| Return specialist David Allen returned punts for touchdowns against Iowa State and Texas, tying the NCAA record for career touchdowns (6). He was named 2nd team All-American, and first team All Big 12. He became the first man in NCAA history to return a punt for a TD in consecutive games in more than one occasion. |
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| Quarterback Jonathan Beasley was named Big 12 offensive player of the week against Oklahoma State, where he threw for 4 touchdowns and ran for 2 more. He set a Big 12 record with 6 touchdowns in one game. He was also won the Holiday Bowl offensive MVP and finished #2 in the nation in yards per completion. |
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| 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. |
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| Quincy Morgan led the Big 12 in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. He was named first team All Big 12. Morgan set a K-State record for highest yards per completion. |
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| Darren Howard set the career sacks record at K-State and was named first team All Big 12 and also All-American. Howard was also named Holiday Bowl defensive player of the game. |
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