While freshman quarterback Josh Freeman drew a lot of attention for the plays he made to rally Kansas State past Oklahoma State 31-27 last week, Freeman was just one of seven players making their first start. And he and running back Marcus Patton, who rushed for 151 yards, weren’t the only two who stood out.

Coach Ron Prince found it easy to talk about the play of Brad Rooker, a sophomore center from Millard North who played tackle last season.

“A lot of people think that it’s the quarterback’s team. I’ve always been in very much disagreement with that, in that I think it’s the center’s team,” Prince said. “Sometimes they’re very outgoing and sometimes not so, but they all have one thing in common — everybody has to listen to their commands and do what they say, so you can be well coordinated. I told Rooker I was very pleased with him and I thought that’s what we needed.

“He has good size and makes it a little more convenient for a tall quarterback, as well, when he’s snapping the ball.”

WHAT ELSE IS THERE IN MANHATTAN? Today’s game is surprisingly the first sellout in Bill Snyder Family Stadium since Kansas State last hosted Nebraska, in 2004. It’s surprising, because last year the Wildcat played host to archrival Kansas, then to Missouri in their regular-season finale after Snyder announced he was retiring. Three of the top six crowds to see a game in Manhattan involve Nebraska.

ECHOLS STILL HEARING ECHOES FROM 2005 GAME: Somewhat forgotten in Nebraska’s late-season surge of last year was that its three-game winning streak began with a 27-25 nail-biter against Kansas State. The Wildcats had overcome a 12-point deficit to take the lead with 4:18 to play. But backup quarterback Harrison Beck, subbing for the injured Zac Taylor, completed a critical pass to keep alive a drive that ended with Jordon Congdon’s 40-yard field goal that left the Huskers 27-25 winners.

“It was one of those games that a lot of people had on their mind all year,” defensive tackle Quintin Echols said. “It’s one of those losses you want to avenge, but we want to avenge every loss. … Nebraska is one of those teams, when you watch them on film, they play great defense and are very well coached on offense. Their quarterback has been a lot better than people thought he would be.”

ETC.: Kansas State ranks last in the Big 12 in average time of possession (26:35). Part of that is because of the Wildcats’ ineffectiveness on third down. In the past three games, they’ve converted on just eight of 45 third downs.

Last week against Oklahoma State, they were just 2-for-10. … K-State is off to at least a 4-2 start for the ninth time in 11 seasons. The Wildcats haven’t been 5-2, however, since 2002. … Today will mark just the seventh time since the Big 12 began that an unranked Kansas State team will be playing a ranked opponent. The Wildcats are 1-5 in those matchups, with their only win coming against 18th-ranked Nebraska in 2003.