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AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Linebacker Mark Simoneau's 37-yard interception return for a touchdown ignited a 17-point outburst in a 2:17 span of the fourth quarter that propeled 13th-ranked Kansas State to a 35-17 victory over No. 15 Texas in a Big 12 Conference game. Jamie Rheem booted a school-record five field goals and David Allen continued his unbelievable special teams play by returning a punt 74 yards for a touchdown as Kansas state (4-0, 2-0 Big 12 North) evened the all-time series at three wins apiece. Allen has brought back seven punts for touchdowns in his career, tying him with Nebraska's Johnny Rogers and Oklahoma's Jack Mitchell for the NCAA record. Kansas State won despite totaling just 277 yards of offense. Frank Murphy was held to 52 yards on 15 carries and Jonathan Beasley completed 12-of-25 passes for 171 yards and was sacked three times. Adam Helm made his first career start for the Wildcats and completed just 1-of-5 passes for 11 yards and was brought down twice before yielding to Beasley. Simoneau's interception return down the right sideline provided the Wildcats with a 25-17 lead with 8:31 to play. Moments later his thumping hit knocked the ball loose from Major Applewhite and defensive end Darren Howard recovered at the Texas 36. It took Kansas State just two plays to score, Allen breaking loose for a 35-yard touchdown run. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Applewhite was sacked by Howard, the ball came loose and defensive end Monty Beisel recovered. Although the drive stalled, Rheem calmly booted a 20-yard field goal with 6:14 remaining to cap the scoring. Kansas State's defense also intercepted Applewhite three times, a career worst for the sophomore. He completed 19-of-37 passes for 271 yards and threw a 14-yard scoring pass to Chris Smith late in the first quarter to give the Longhorns a 7-6 lead. Kwame Cavil caught seven passes for 103 yards for Texas, while Jeremy Jones totaled 105 yards on just three receptions. Rheem, who broke the KSU record of four field goals in a game set twice by All-American Martin Gramatica, had opened the scoring with field goals of 22 and 23 in a 3:16 span of the first quarter. Texas' Chris Robertson carried just once, but he plowed his way for a one-yard score early in the second quarter. Robertson has five touchdowns on just 10 attempts this season. Rheem's 32-yarder with 19 seconds left in the half brought Kansas State within 14-9. The Longhorns ran six plays on their first possession of the first half before punting to Allen, whose second return for a score in as many weeks gave Kansas State the lead for good. Allen also brought back a punt 93 yards for a score in last season's 48-7 Kansas State victory in Manhattan. Rheem converted from 27 yards later in the first half before Kris Stockton's 25-yard field goal 1:23 into the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 18-17. The sellout crowd of 83,082 was the third largest in Texas history. Three of the top nine crowds in Memorial Stadium history have occurred this season.
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