KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas State coach Ron Prince was unable to rebuild the Wildcats into the Big 12 contender they were under his predecessor.

Now after 2 1/2 seasons in Manhattan, Prince is on his way out and K-State is in the market for another coach.

Kansas State athletic director Bill Krause fired Prince, effective at the end of the season, yesterday, just three months after signing the coach to a five-year contract.

Prince took over for Bill Snyder in 2006, his first head coaching job after 14 years at six different schools. He never lived up to the standard Snyder set, going 16-18, including 4-5 this year.

"It's a decision that we arrived at in the best interest in the institution and the program," Krause said during a conference call. "A change is necessary."

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

No. 16 Ball State 45, Northern Illinois 14: Nate Davis completed 18 of 22 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for another to power the Cardinals (9-0, 5-0 Mid-American Conference) past the Huskies (5-4, 4-2) at Muncie, Ind., and remain alive in the chase for a BCS bowl game.

Akron 47, Toledo 30: Chris Jacquemain threw three touchdown passes, Dennis Kennedy ran 155 yards and a touchdown, and the Zips (5-4, 3-2 MAC) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in beating the Rockets (2-7, 1-4) at Akron, Ohio.