By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

EL PASO - Furious and flustered following its Big 12 title game loss to Texas A&M, Kansas State took out its frustrations on Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

The Yellow Jackets never knew what hit them.

Powered by QB Michael Bishop's three touchdowns and 316 yards passing, the Wildcats trounced Georgia Tech, 38-17, to advance to the second round of the Virtual Championship Series.

For the second-straight game, only the Wildcats seemed to have the capability of stopping the Wildcats, who ran up 517 yards in total offense. But unlike in the A&M loss, K-State regained its composure in the face of adversity and squashed the upset bid.

K-State now awaits a rematch with the Aggies next week in Dallas' Cotton Bowl. They got there by busting out to a 17-0 first quarter lead, withstanding a Tech rally and finally putting Tech away early in the fourth quarter.

Darnell McDonald and Aaron Lockett each had more than 100 yards receiving for the Wildcats. Both caught first-quarter TD passes in helping K-State take a commanding early lead. However, for the second straight game, the Wildcats fumbled at inopportune times to let their opponent back in the game.

With the clock racing toward halftime, Michael Bishop couldn't hold on to the snap. Defensive end Chris Edwards recovered the loose ball with 1:45 left. Three plays later, Joe Hamilton connected with Mike Sheridan on a 4-yard TD strike to make the score 24-10 entering the intermission.

Then, on the opening play of the second half, Bishop again couldn't keep the handle on the ball. This time, he was hit hard by a blitzing Edwards and fumbled. A mad scramble ensued, with the Yellow Jackets eventually recovering the ball at the K-State 6.

Two plays later, Tech scored to shrink the lead to seven. However, K-State's defense stiffened and an early 4th-quarter TD by Eric Hickson sealed the win.