Stuffed bobcat steals show as Kansas State ices Cactus Bowl win

There was a taxidermied bobcat on Kansas State’s sideline during the Wildcats’ 35-17 win over UCLA in the Cactus Bowl.

The bobcat, named Phil, was first showed by ESPN after the Wildcats had put the game away in the fourth quarter after a 98-yard touchdown drive that took over eight minutes.

Just why the heck was the bobcat on the sidelines? And why do we know he has a name? The internet is a wonderful thing.

Phil the bobcat is apparently owned by Kansas State equipment manager Al Cerbe. Phil went with the team to Texas Tech in November and Kansas State won the game against the Red Raiders.

KSU player Brogan Barry then used Phil as a prop during the team’s celebration in the visiting locker room.

“Al Cerbe, our head equipment guy, I think he has had it for quite a while,” Barry told KansasCity.com. “I have seen it a couple times. I noticed it when we first got into the locker room before the game began. I guess it had just been in the back of my brain when we were celebrating the win, just pretty weird stuff.”

Barry said Phil was “here to stay” after the Texas Tech win and he went to Oklahoma State, where the Wildcats upset the Cowboys.

And now he’s 3-0 on roadtrips after the Wildcats’ Cactus Bowl win. Phil even got to celebrate on the sidelines early too.

Kansas State scored 28-straight points in the second half to beat the Bruins, who were without star quarterback Josh Rosen. KSU committed to the run game in the final two quarters and it paid off. The Wildcats rushed 49 times for 344 yards and four touchdowns.

– – – – – – –

Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg