Manhattan ? Kansas State is still a long way from its goal of returning to the Big 12 Conference title game after a two-year absence.

If the Wildcats keep playing the way they did Saturday — with a few exceptions — they might just get there.

Kansas State had several breakdowns, most notably in giving up Jeremy Bloom’s 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, in the first half of a 49-20 win over Colorado.

But in outscoring the Buffaloes 34-7 in the second half — it was only supposed to be 27-7, but quarterback Ell Roberson had a point to prove — Kansas State (5-3, 1-2 Big 12) was solid in every facet of the game.

Where both teams are is a game back of the Big 12 North lead — but defending conference champion Colorado (3-4, 1-2) is unlikely to play in the title game without some serious help.

The Buffaloes have No. 1 Oklahoma next on their schedule, and No. 14 Nebraska awaits Nov. 28.

That was also the challenge for Roberson coming into the Colorado game.

After missing 21/2 games because of an injury to his left, nonthrowing wrist, Roberson had played well at times in KSU’s first two Big 12 games. But he committed costly turnovers that led to touchdowns in 4-point losses to No. 18 Oklahoma State and No. 20 Texas.

Roberson fumbled twice against Colorado — but Kansas State recovered both of those drops, and Roberson more than made up for them with three touchdown passes — two in the second half to James Terry — and two TD runs.

His 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter for a 9-7 lead was the 32nd rushing score of his career, setting a school record for both touchdown runs and total touchdowns.

Kansas State's James Terry, front, is congratulated by Thomas Hill, left, and Antoine Polite after Terry caught an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Wildcats beat Colorado, 49-20, Saturday in Manhattan.

And his’ 40-yard touchdown pass to Davin Dennis with 40 seconds left in the first half broke Lynn Dickey’s school record of 5,779 total yards.

But it was Roberson’s second TD carry, a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter, that generated the most postgame talk.

With 38 seconds left and the game well in hand, Roberson was supposed to take a knee after failing to score on the previous play. He called another sneak instead, a decision for which he apologized to Barnett after the game.

“It was more frustration on my part than anything,” Roberson said. “The linebackers came down and made a good hit, and that made me kind of frustrated. So I just did it again, just to show them that we could get the ball in.”

KSU coach Bill Snyder, who also apologized to Barnett, clearly wasn’t pleased with questions about the touchdown. When a reporter asked how Roberson scored despite instructions not to, the coach glared and said: “The ball went across that white line.”

Still, Roberson’s performance was welcome to a team that hadn’t beaten an NCAA Division I-A team since a 41-5 win over Troy State Aug. 30.

“That’s what we need out of him,” linebacker Josh Buhl said.