 As the team improved, recruiting also improved, in large part because Snyder began tapping the rich talent base in Kansas' junior college system.Snyder was able to bring in athletes such as quarterback Michael Bishop, the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1998, and running back Darren Sproles, who led the nation in rushing in 2003 and holds the Big 12 record for all-purpose yards in a career.The run of success culminated in a Big 12 Conference championship in 2003 with a 35–7 victory over the #1 ranked Oklahoma.