The Wildcats finished the regular season undefeated (11–0) and were ranked second in the nation ahead of their match-up with tenth-ranked Texas A&M in the 1998 Big 12 Championship Game.
Nicknamed the "Kansas State Rule", the #3 ranked team would always have an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game.
School rushing career record Eric Hickson missed the game with a high ankle sprain and was replaced by Marlon Charles, David Allen, and Frank Murphy in the backfield.
Kansas State's running back depth was further affected when Marlon Charles suffered a broken hip in the third quarter.
[17] Second team All-American kicker Martin Gramatica uncharacteristically missed two field goals.
Kansas State's Keith Black downed a late punt at the two foot line to cause Missouri to have to try to drive 99 yards to win or tie on their final drive, and Frank Murphy fell on his own fumble in the end zone for a touchdown to help to preserve a Kansas State win.
First Quarter KSU - Peries 10 pass from Bishop (Gramatica kick) Second Quarter KSU - Gramatica 48-yard field goal MU - Jones 5 yard run (Long kick) MU - Wise 20 pass from Jones (kick failed) Third Quarter KSU - Bishop 1-yard run 0:49 (Gramatica kick) KSU - Murphy 9 run (Gramatica kick) MU - Long 21 FG Fourth Quarter MU - Dausman 20 pass from Jones (pass failed) KSU - Murphy fumble recovery in end zone (Gramatica kick) MU - Long 29 FG [17] K-State lost in devastating fashion in double overtime and lost their chance at playing in the National Championship.