Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

IRVING, Texas — Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein has statistics that put him in company alongside Heisman Trophy winners and some of the elite players in Big 12 history.

Klein amassed 2,844 yards of total offense this season to go with 38 touchdowns. More specifically, the junior threw for 1,745 yards with 12 scores through the air and ran for 1,099 yards — the most ever by a Wildcats quarterback — with 26 rushing touchdowns.

Those scores on the ground have Klein just one off the Big 12 record set by former Texas running back Ricky Williams. A rushing touchdown against the Razorbacks would tie the 16-year-old record.

Somehow, Klein has managed to pile up those numbers without a lot of acclaim. It’s not like he’s done it for a team that isn’t winning. These Wildcats (10-2) are No. 8 nationally and preparing for a Friday meeting with No. 6 Arkansas (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl.

Arguably the most prestigious recognition to come Klein’s way might be a toss up between being named the Big 12’s first-team all-purpose player or to the league’s all-academic second team. No Heisman consideration or national award merit came for the 6-foot-6, 226-pounder.

Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, the Heisman Trophy winner, and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden were the Big 12 quarterbacks snatching up all the awards and national limelight.

Don’t dare suggest that Klein was undervalued somehow.  Wildcats’ Coach Bill Snyder will have none of that.

“He's not underappreciated by me nor his teammates," Snyder said.

Klein, who moved to quarterback from wide receiver in 2010, has been the catalyst for Kansas State’s success this season. From a game-winning touchdown pass in the opener against Eastern Kentucky to 259 total yards and three touchdowns in a victory against Baylor to a career day against OSU, Klein has been more than a part of the offense. He is nearly all of it, accounting for all but seven of the team's scores.

What Klein has done for the Wildcats hasn’t gone unnoticed by Arkansas. They’re putting extra emphasis on gap control and discipline on defense, something the Razorbacks have admittedly struggled with, particularly against mobile quarterbacks.

Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes has high praise for Klein.

“He is the heart of their offense,” Haynes said. “As he goes, they go. He is a tough kid.  …[He is] a guy you would love on your football team because you know he is going to give it his all. He has been hit all year but he stays in there.”

Defenses have had plenty of opportunities to hit Klein. He’s displayed his toughness — drawing comparisons from teammates to former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow — by often tucking and running, subjecting himself to contact.