Manhattan ? Rashad Washington’s expression — alternately smiling and sober — told the whole story.

On the one hand, Kansas State’s free safety had two interceptions, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown, and blocked a punt to set up another score as the seventh-ranked Wildcats beat McNeese State 55-14 Saturday night.

But on the other hand …

“We didn’t have the kind of game we wanted to have tonight,” Washington said. “There’s no way we should be giving up 14 points and 200-something yards (267, officially) to a Division I-AA team.”

The offensive results were also mixed for Kansas State, which saw one of its leaders leave early for a second straight week.

Darren Sproles made a strong return to form a week after being injured, running for 101 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for the Wildcats.

Ell Roberson threw his fifth touchdown pass of the year for Kansas State but left holding the wrist on his left, nonthrowing hand after being knocked down midway through the second quarter.

He did not return and was off-limits to the media afterward.

“I didn’t want to put him in the position of having to come back into the game,” coach Bill Snyder said, adding Roberson would be evaluated Saturday night, but Kansas State does not discuss injuries in detail.

Each of Roberson’s backups, Jeff Schwinn, of McLouth, and Dylan Meier, ran for one score.

Kansas State (3-0) blocked two punts, converting one into a touchdown for the second straight week.

The Cowboys, ranked No. 1 in Division I-AA, fell to 1-1.

The Wildcats scored three touchdowns — one each on offense, defense and special teams — over a span of 2 minutes, 5 seconds in the late first quarter and early second.

“Every time I turned around, I was having to run back out there and kick another extra point,” kicker Joe Rheem said. “I didn’t mind, though. That was a lot of fun.”

Sproles played only the first half. He started the quick scoring burst with a 34-yard touchdown run that gave the Wildcats a 17-0 lead with 1:20 left in the first quarter.

Two plays and 22 seconds later, Washington intercepted Scott Pendarvis’ pass and took it all the way back to make it 24-0.

“I got the ball in my hands, and I started feeling like a running back,” said Washington, who also ran an interception back for a score against Eastern Illinois last year. “I made a few running-back moves, and I got into the end zone.”