Fourth-and-1.
Kansas State was one yard away from likely playing for the national college football championship in 1998 when head coach Bill Snyder elected to play it safe rather than go for the win.
Texas A&M rallied to beat Kansas State 36-33 for the Big 12 championship on a phantom touchdown scored by Sirr Parker, who should’ve been ruled down at the 1-yard line. Parker also illegally grabbed the facemask of tackler Lamar Chapman on the decisive play.
The most important football game in Kansas State football history ruined the Wildcats’ chance to play in the NCAA national championship game.
Wildcat quarterback Michael Bishop rolled up 442 yards of total offense and was virtually unstoppable that memorable Dec. 5, 1998 day against Texas A&M in St. Louis, Mo.
About the only mistake Bishop made was a lost fumble on a carry for a first down that would’ve clinched a spot in the national championship against Tennessee.
In the first overtime, Eric Hickson gained eight yards to hand the Wildcats a second-and-2 from the Aggie 6-yard line with A&M ahead 30-27.
Hickson and Bishop somehow collided in the backfield on second down when Bishop’s run would’ve delivered a first-and-goal inside the 4-yard line.
On third down, Bishop was maybe a half-yard shy of a first down inside the 5-yard line. It was close enough for a first-down measurement.
A&M had trouble stopping Bishop, who would not have been stopped for a first-and-goal inside the 4-yard line.
The moment of truth had arrived for Snyder, but he never hesitated going for a tying field goal, which is his only error in a Hall of Fame coaching career.
Former Kansas State coach Mike Stoops rightfully earns the lion’s share of the responsibility for the most heartbreaking loss in Kansas State football history.
Wildcat defensive coordinator Mike Stoops had one foot out the door when his brother Bob Stoops was hired Dec. 1, 1998. Wildcat coaches Mike Stoops, Brent Venables and Mark Mangino would eventually join Bob Stoops in Oklahoma four days before the most important football game of their college coaching careers.
The Wildcats’ offense controlled the game, leading 27-12 after three periods. At that point, Aggie quarterback Branndon Stewart had thrown for 89 yards.
Aggie quarterback Stewart passed for 235 yards after the fourth quarter started to lead A&M’s comeback.
Stoops made several critical tactical coaching errors.
He kept assigning safely Jarrod Cooper to cover backs and wide receivers, which was a huge mistake that the Aggies exploited. The Aggies’ comeback started when the Wildcats gave the tight ends a free release off the line of scrimmage. Stoops never figured a way to defend Sirr Parker moving in motion out of the backfield.
Cooper was beaten on four consecutive plays that ignited A&M’s comeback. Parker beat Cooper for a touchdown and Chapman was beaten on a pick play when two Aggies protected Parker’s space for a 27-27 tie.
The Wildcats’ game-ending breakdown came when the Aggies ran Parker in motion (sounds like a broken record) on third-and-17 from the 32-yard line in the second overtime.
The ill-prepared Wildcats ran a player on the field as the play starts. Cornerback Jerametrius Butler is well out of position when Parker heads in motion. Butler gives Parker too much space and misses a tackle. When Chapman pursues, Parker grabs his facemask while going to the ground at the 1-yard line.
It was a sad emotional finish to the greatest football team in Kansas State history. The Wildcats were literally one play away from playing for the national championship numerous times against A&M.
At least 16 Wildcats eventually played in the NFL, including eight defensive starters, led by defensive end Darren Howard and tackle Damion McIntosh.

Jim Misunas is the Sports Editor for the Great Bend Tribune. He can be reached at jmisunas@gbtribune.com.

Kansas State Wildcats' Bowl History

Record—8-12

• Dec. 28, 2016 Texas Bowl — Kansas St. 33, Texas A&M 28

• Jan. 2, 2016 Liberty Bowl — Arkansas 45, Kansas St. 23

• Jan. 2, 2015 Alamo Bowl — UCLA 40, Kansas St. 35
• Dec. 28, 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings — Kansas St. 31, Michigan 14
• Jan. 3, 2013 Fiesta Bowl — Oregon 35, Kansas St. 17
• Jan. 6, 2012 Cotton Bowl — Arkansas 29, Kansas St. 16
• Dec. 30, 2010 Pinstripe Bowl — Syracuse 36, Kansas St. 34
• Dec. 28, 2006 Texas Bowl — Rutgers 37, Kansas St. 10
• Jan. 2, 2004 Fiesta Bowl — Ohio St. 35, Kansas St. 28
•Dec. 27, 2002 Holiday Bowl — Kansas St. 34, Arizona St. 27
• Dec. 29, 2001 Insight.com Bowl — Syracuse 26, Kansas St. 3
• Jan. 1, 2001 Cotton Bowl — Kansas St. 35, Tennessee 21
• Dec. 29, 1999 Holiday Bowl — Kansas St. 24, Washington 20
• Dec. 29, 1998 Alamo Bowl — Purdue 37, Kansas St. 34
• Dec. 31, 1997 Fiesta Bowl — Kansas St. 35, Syracuse 18
• Jan. 1, 1997 Cotton Bowl — Brigham Young 19, Kansas St. 15
• Dec. 29, 1995 Holiday Bowl — Kansas St. 54, Colorado St. 21
• Dec. 25, 1994 Aloha Bowl — Boston College 12, Kansas St. 7
• Dec. 29, 1993 Copper Bowl — Kansas St. 52, Wyoming 17
• Dec. 11, 1982 Independence Bowl — Wisconsin 14, Kansas St. 3