MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Joe Hubener spent the week focusing on consistently completing short passes, only to have two of his deep balls to make the difference against Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

Hubener threw three touchdown passes, including a 31-yard strike to Kody Cook on third and 16 in triple overtime, and Kansas State survived a scare against the Bulldogs, 39-33.

“It’s ironic, but I have to be able to throw long and short,” Hubener said. “I put a lot of emphasis on short throws this week and I think for the most part they were better.”

Hubener completed 15 of 26 passes for 195 yards. Justin Silmon gained 114 yards on 24 carries, becoming the first Kansas State running back since 2013 to break the century mark.

Kansas State (3-0) and Louisiana Tech (1-2) traded scores in overtime, including a 44-yard field goal by Jack Cantele to force the third overtime. The Bulldogs forced overtime with a 45-yard field goal as time expired after driving the length of the field in 1:16.

“For them to drive,” Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz said, “have that 90-yard drive at the end, just to get the game into overtime — you’ve got no timeouts, you’re on your own 9-yard line, the clock’s running — some of the plays those guys made to get it into overtime (were great).”

Jeff Driskel led Louisiana Tech, throwing for 314 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for two more scores. Trent Taylor had 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown in the near-upset.

“We’re a talented group,” Driskel said. “We came in with a game plan, a solid game plan, where we were going to take some underneath routes and stuff like that. They changed up what they were doing defensively schematically, and we had to adjust on the fly, but thought we made some plays.”

Kansas State concludes nonconference play without a loss for the first time in three years. It wasn’t easy, though, as the offense proved ineffective for much of the game.

However, Silmon provided a lift in the rushing attack, including 58 yards on a crucial scoring drive late in the third quarter. Catches by Cook capped two scoring drives, including a one-handed grab to tie the game late in the third quarter.

“I just try to be ready so when my name is called I can be prepared to help the offense,” Silmon said. “If that’s the role I have, I’m fine with it. Any way I can help the offense.”

A long punt return and fumble in regulation gave Kansas State an opportunity to rally.

Louisiana Tech grabbed momentum late in the second quarter when Driskel walked into the end zone on a naked bootleg on fourth and goal from the half-yard line to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.

It was the first touchdown allowed by Kansas State this season.

The Bulldogs led 20-13 midway through the fourth quarter when Kansas State returner Dominic Heath ran back a punt 58 yards to the 7-yard line. Charles Jones tied the game two plays later on a 2-yard run.

Consecutive field goals sent the game to overtime.

In overtime, Hubener squeezed a 22-yard pass through three defenders into the arms of Heath. Driskel responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Trent Taylor.

Two overtime periods later, Hubener sent the purple-clad crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium home happy with the game-winning heave to Cook, who came to Kansas State as a quarterback.

“I’m proud of them,” Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said. “This group of young guys has not been in that situation before. Through heck and high water, they managed to carve their way through it. I’m not sure exactly how, but they did.”

— KSU Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. — In appreciation of their longtime support of both Kansas State University and K-State Athletics, Director of Athletics John Currie announced today that the Basketball Training Facility will be permanently named the Ice Family Basketball Center in honor of the Carl and Mary Ice Family following a recommendation from President Kirk Schulz and approval from the Kansas Board of Regents.

“Carl and Mary Ice are both very active K-State alumni who have generously established numerous scholarships and supported a myriad of programs across the university,” said Schulz. “By naming this state-of-the-art student-athlete facility the Ice Family Basketball Center, we are honoring a loyal K-State family commensurate with their dedication to Kansas State University.”

The $18 million facility and home of K-State men’s and women’s basketball, which opened in October 2012 and has been recognized nationally for its innovative design, will be named in recognition of Carl and Mary and their children, Marshall, his wife Megan, and Karen, as a tribute to their commitment to the university and K-State Athletics. The Ices have played key leadership roles in many of the department’s recent facility projects, including the West Stadium Center, Vanier Family Football Complex and the Basketball Training Facility.

“We are honored and humbled to have our family recognized in this manner,” said Carl and Mary. “Kansas State University has meant so much to our family and afforded us so many opportunities. The university and athletics department are in great hands thanks to the leadership of President Schulz, John Currie and all of our terrific coaches, and we look forward to being a part of many great years ahead.”

Native Kansans who currently reside in Westlake, Texas, Carl is the President and CEO of BNSF Railway and a 1979 graduate of the College of Engineering, while Mary is a 1980 graduate of the College of Human Ecology and earned a Masters from the College of Education. Together they serve on the Board of Trustees of the KSU Foundation and Carl is a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Carl is also a past chair of the College of Engineering Advisory Council and a former member of the Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Advisory Council, while Mary is a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics and the Ahearn Fund Advisory Group. She is a former member of the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors and also served as president of the College of Human Ecology Alumni Advisory Board. Mary and Carl Ice Hall, the latest addition to the College of Human Ecology, was dedicated in 2013 in their honor.

“The Ices have played a critical leadership role in all of our recent facility projects, including the BTF, WSC and VFFC, and they have a deep heart and passion for K-State,” Currie said. “We appreciate their friendship and generosity as we continue to move forward in our goal of being a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program.”

Their daughter, Karen, is an attorney residing in Manhattan and their son, Marshall (’03), and their daughter-in-law, Megan (’04) are also both K-State graduates.

“Carl and Mary have made a significant impact on our entire K-State campus,” head women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie said. “Their generous spirit is what makes K-State such a unique and special place that unites all K-Staters.”

“We are proud to have the Ice family name on the training facility,” added men’s basketball head coach Bruce Weber. “They represent the epitome of true K-Staters – loyal, hard-working and generous with their time and support, which goes beyond the athletic department. Megan and I appreciate the friendship that we have been able to develop with Carl and Mary since we came to K-State and look forward to spending more time with them in the future.”

A formal naming ceremony of the facility will take place later this fall. Details regarding that event will be announced in the coming weeks.

— KSU Athletics —