Halftime: Kansas State 17, Iowa State 3

K-State has racked up over 150 yards on the ground, 54 of them on one run by Jesse Ertz, on the way to a 17-3 halftime lead over Iowa State in Ames.

The Cats started hot, forcing a Cyclone three-and-out before Ertz's big run put them in position to take an early lead. K-State got to the one, but a penalty and a bad snap forced Matt McCrane to kick a 23-yard field goal. Iowa State answered with a 24-yard Cole Netten kick after the Wildcat defense played soft.

K-State continued rolling on offense, though, averaging 8 yards a play on first down on a drive which ended with Deante Burton's first touchdown catch of the season, an 11-yard job. Duke Shelley picked off Jacob Park on a deep ball on the next possession, and then a great catch by Burton -- a 22 yard reception initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review -- led to Justin Silmon carrying the water before finally scoring from three yards out.

Iowa State had a golden opportunity to get back within a touchdown, but Trever Ryen dropped what would have been a sure touchdown pass from Park. Surprisingly, K-State responded by throwing the ball in an attempt to pad the lead before halftime, which was a welcome sign for a fanbase used to the Wildcats just mailing in the final two minutes of the first half when they'll get the ball to start the second, but it didn't work out. Still, Iowa State couldn't respond in the final minute, the half ending on yet another sack by freshman Kyle Ball.

Leaving the field, Bill Snyder expressed his frustration with the almost-touchdown by Ryen, and seemed pretty annoyed. We'll see what that results in as far as the second half goes.