MANHATTAN, Kansas (Ticker) -- Massachusetts made itself a highlight tape. Too bad it consisted of one play.
Darren Sproles rushed a career-high 28 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns as sixth-ranked Kansas State rolled past Division I-AA Massachusetts, 38-7, without its starting quarterback.
With Heisman Trophy candidate Ell Roberson nursing an injury to his non-throwing hand, the Wildcats (4-0) had little trouble with their second straight I-AA opponent, overcoming a sloppy effort to score the last 38 points.
Although it won its 10th straight game, Kansas State failed to score at least 40 points for the first time in that span.
The Minutemen (1-1) actually broke in front on the opening possession of the game, grabbing a 7-0 lead when Jeff Krohn found Jason Peebler with a 65-yard strike. UMass totaled only 126 yards of offense the rest of the day.
"At least we can send Chris Berman a highlight tape," Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple said. "At least we made one play."
Kansas State had a 10-7 edge before Sproles put together consecutive TD runs of two, nine and one yards, the last of which made it 31-7 midway through the third quarter. The Wildcats had 490 yards of total offense.
"It's a great game to coach until kickoff, and then it's a really hard game to coach," Whipple said.
Despite the dominance on the scoreboard, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder wasn't happy, particularly with his team's four turnovers and six penalties.
"I think we had 490 yards, which doesn't make a hoot," he said. "Every single drive in the second half went down the field and ended up in a position where you should score. We either had a turnover or a penalty or a series of penalties, if I recall right."
Senior Jeff Schwinn started in place of Roberson and completed 17-of-26 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. Even with their backup quarterback, the Wildcats quickly turned it into a laugher, using their overwhelming side and speed.
"They're probably the best team we've played," Whipple said. "Even without Roberson, they are just bigger and faster. Their recruiting is better than out recruiting."
Making his first career start, Schwinn threw a pair of interceptions, but he completed 17-of-26 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. He likely will start next week against Marshall if Roberson is unable to go.
"Jeff had a little rocky start with an interception," Snyder said. "He threw a couple of balls which probably shouldn't have been thrown. Overall, considering he had to manage the ballgame in such a way that he did, he did fine."
The Minutemen dropped their fifth straight meeting with a I-A foe. The Wildcats improved to 59-0 since 1990 when holding an opponent to 10 points or fewer.
Kansas State won the toss and deferred to UMass, which opted to receive. After a short completion and three runs, Krohn and Peebler hooked up on a stunning TD. At the 12:37 mark, it was the quickest score against Kansas State since November 18, 2000.
"The bottom line is, in the first half we have up a silly touchdown pass, which happens in the third grade, fourth grade, or even in kindergarten," Snyder said. But that shouldn't have happened."
The Minutemen immediately picked off Schwinn, but each of their next eight possessions - six in the first half - resulted in a punt as the Wildcats grabbed control, despite turning over the ball four times over the final two quarters.
"The defense turned the ball over and we couldn't do anything with it," Whipple said. "So we have to credit the Kansas State defense."
After two interceptions and a field goal, Kansas State scored touchdowns on three of its next four touches as Schwinn threw a seven-yard score to Brian Casey and Sproles found the end zone twice.
While UMass continued to sputter, the Wildcats fumbled away their first possession of the second half. But they capitalized on a Minutemen fumble and went 43 yards on five plays, making it 31-7 on Sproles one-yard plunge midway through the third quarter.
A junior, Sproles increased his school record by collecting his 13th 100-yard day. He also scored at least one TD for the 10th straight game.
"I like him as a football player," Whipple said. "He's tough, he's resilient. The guys block for him. He's just a tremendous football player."
After Krohn was sacked and fumbled on a 4th-and-19 in the closing five minutes, Kansas State punctuated its win with a six-play, 57-yard drive, finished off by quarterback Dylan Meier's eight-yard TD scamper.
