Manhattan ? Kansas State’s fans, whose patience was requested earlier in the week, had it tested for a while.

But the Wildcats more than rewarded it.

Down 10-0 in the first quarter, Kansas State came back to beat Iowa State, 31-10, on Saturday.

“It means a lot,” offensive tackle Greg Wafford said. “We’re trying to establish something here, especially at home. We don’t want to lose here.”

James Johnson had 115 yards rushing and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 32-yard run late in the third quarter, and linebacker Brandon Archer recovered a muffed punt and a fumble for the Wildcats.

Kansas State (5-4, 2-3 Big 12) broke a two-game losing streak and needs just one victory in its last three games to become bowl-eligible in Ron Prince’s first year as coach.

“We’re trying to win them all,” quarterback Josh Freeman said. “We’re not playing just to get one and get bowl-eligible. We’d rather win them all and be the best team that we can.”

Kansas State’s victory came two days after former coach Bill Snyder, who led the Wildcats to 11 bowl berths in 17 seasons before retiring last fall, issued an open letter asking fans to be patient with the team and its coaches.

Prince said he appreciated Snyder’s words, but did not feel unfairly treated by fans.

“They’ve paid their money. They have the right to voice their opinion,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with that.

Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman is tackled by Iowa State defensive end Shawn Moorehead. Freeman directed the Wildcats to a 31-10 victory Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan.

“I think the fans have been terrific,” Prince added. “They’ve been very positive.”

The Cyclones (3-6, 0-5) lost their fifth straight, had a two-game winning streak against the Wildcats snapped and have not beaten a Division I-A team since a 16-10 victory over UNLV on Sept. 30. One more loss will keep them out of the postseason for only the second time in seven years.

“We have three games left, two of them at home,” coach Dan McCarney said. “We have a fabulous group of seniors. The kids that can practice this week, we’ll coach the heck out of them and try to get back on the winning track this week.”

After Johnson’s run put the Wildcats up 17-10 in the closing seconds of the third quarter, Kansas State sealed the victory with two touchdowns a minute apart in the fourth.

First, Leon Patton – who had just four yards on his first four carries – ran 37 yards around left end for a 24-10 lead with 4:06 to go. Then, Devin Anderson intercepted Bret Meyer’s pass and returned it 30 yards to close the scoring with 3:06 remaining.

Iowa State scored on both of its first-quarter possessions, going up 10-0 on Jason Scales’ six-yard TD run and Bret Culbertson’s 48-yard field goal. However, Kansas State tied it at 10 in the second quarter on Jeff Snodgrass’ 19-yard field goal and Josh Freeman’s two-yard touchdown pass to John McCardle.