 In 1953, Kansas State posted a 5–3–1 record, the first winning season at the school since Wes Fry's 1936 team.Upon starting that season 5–1, K-State also made the school's first appearance in the top 20 polls for college football, at #18 in the Coaches Poll on October 28, 1953.The following year was even better, with Kansas State posting a 7–3 record and playing for an Orange Bowl berth in their final game.