Linemen Tanner Hawkinson and Jeremiah Hatch started in their usual spots at left tackle and center, respectively, but little else about the line looked familiar.

Jeff Spikes, who was pulled from the Jayhawks' loss to Texas Tech last weekend, started the game on the bench as Brad Thorson earned the start at right tackle. Sal Capra, meanwhile, shifted from right guard to left guard to replace Thorson and Trevor Marrongelli earned his first start of the season at left guard.

"It wasn't unusual for us," Thorson said of the new alignment. "We've done a lot of experimenting in practices throughout the week. We got a lot of reps in this week, and we felt comfortable when we went out there. I really wish it would have gone the other way, but there wasn't any problems with our chemistry."

Salina Journal

MANHATTAN -- Attention, Kansas: Bill Snyder is back.

And if there were any doubts that the Kansas State Wildcats are built in their coach's image, forget about it.

Salina Journal

MANHATTAN -- It might just be the only person who can stop Daniel Thomas is Daniel Thomas.

Kansas certainly didn't have an answer for Thomas, Kansas State's junior running back, whose 185 rushing yards led the Wildcats to a 17-10 victory Saturday at Snyder Family Stadium.

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State Wildcats were greeted at the Vanier Football Complex on Saturday morning by a paint job on the front patio.

It seems some Kansas fans had painted both the entry area and some cars in the parking lot in crimson and blue, which only served to fire up the Wildcats.

"We came in here today getting ready for the pregame, and there was paint all over the floor (in front of the building)," said running back Daniel Thomas, who rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' 17-10 victory at Snyder Family Stadium. "It was a great motivator for us because coach (Bill) Snyder was mad about it, and he just rallied us and we got fired up."

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Fort Hays State built a 27-7 halftime lead, then held on during a wild finish for a 48-34 victory over Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.

The victory enabled the Tigers to close the 2009 season with a 6-5 record overall and a 4-5 mark in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. It is the first time since 2004 that Fort Hays has finished above the .500 mark and the four conference wins are the most by a Tiger team since joining the MIAA in 2006.

The Lions (3-7, 3-6) got within one score of Fort Hays on three occasions in the second half, but were never able to take the lead. Each time the Tigers responded with a touchdown to give themselves a two-possession lead and a little breathing room.