Klein Directing Historic Offense in Year One

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Collin Klein has never sought the spotlight, but it certainly found him during his Kansas State senior season as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012, and now it finds him again as first-year offensive coordinator for one of the Wildcats' best units in school history.

K-State has racked up yards and lit up the scoreboard like fans haven't seen in nearly a decade. The Wildcats will finish this season ranked near the top in points and total offense in school history.

"Our offensive group has been special, and I'm so proud of the work they've put in and the journey it's been for all of us," Klein said during a news conference Thursday. "It's an amazing group. It's been so fun as a coach because you come in every week and they're begging for more. It's a tough and gritty group."

One of just four Power 5 offensive coordinators to play quarterback at the school in which they worked in 2022, Klein has dialed up plays that have accounted for a scoring surge this season. Most recent, K-State has averaged 38.7 points per game over the last six contests, which ranks first in the Big 12 Conference and ninth nationally among Power 5 schools.

"It's been a tremendous honor to serve as offensive coordinator and it's been a learning and growing experience," Klein said. "It's about the guys making it happen and how they've attacked everything. We're just continuing to grow and get better. It's been a lot of fun."

It's been enjoyable for players, too.

"(Klein) has been unbelievable," Consensus All-American Deuce Vaughn said. "When we started out he asked us questions about what we wanted. Our communication is unbelievable. To have that communication and relationship with him and him really taking our feedback, and for him to draw up the things he's drawing up and playing to our strengths, I'm super excited and super proud for the way he's stepped in.

"As a first-year offensive coordinator we've won a Big 12 Championship. We're not doing that without him."

It should make for an intriguing matchup when No. 9 K-State (10-3) meets No. 5 Alabama (10-2) in Saturday's Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

K-State will get its stiffest test yet when it battles an Alabama defense that ranks ninth in scoring defense (18.0) and 14^th in total defense (311.3). The Crimson Tide's losses at Tennessee (52-49) and at LSU (32-31) were the only two times they've allowed 30 points this season.

"They've got one of the best pass rushers in the country in Will Anderson Jr. and they have a ton of other good players, too," quarterback Will Howard said. "It's going to be really cool to challenge ourselves against the best. I think we've played some really good defenses already, too. I feel confident about where we're at.

"I believe in our offense, and I think our offense is one of the best in the country as well. (Klein's) play-calling has been really aggressive this year and really fun to play in an offense like that."

K-State has scored at least 34 points seven times this season and needs 280 total yards to finish second in school history in total offense. K-State enters Saturday ninth in total points (432), fifth in total offense per game (420.2) and seventh in yards per play (6.18) in school history.

"Coach Klein brought a lot of different versatility to our offense," wide receiver Malik Knowles said. "There's something always new in our offense. The sky's the limit. There's still a lot more we can do."

When K-State scored 48 points against West Virginia and 47 against Kansas, it marked the first time the Wildcats reached 45 points in back-to-back conference games since 2012.

"Having Collin as the OC has been different, man," sixth-year senior wide receiver Kade Warner said. "When that change happened last year, that was the spark I kind of needed to come back and play another year. To see the shift and change of tempo and just the belief he has in me, I couldn't be more grateful."

It's been an offensive year to remember as K-State totaled at least 375 yards in all nine conference games in addition to the Big 12 Championship. It marked the first time ever since the implementation of the Big 12 in 1996 that the Wildcats totaled at least 375 yards in ever league game.

Impressively, they've kept stride regardless of quarterback.

Adrian Martinez garnered national attention for his dual-threat capabilities. When Martinez went down due to injury, Howard, a junior who was originally going to redshirt until Martinez went down and now will start in the Sugar Bowl, provided fireworks with his throwing arm. In just six games, Howard has emerged as one of the top 10 leaders in passing efficiency in college football.

Howard has completed 61.6% of his passes for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns and two interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 162.2 is on pace to eclipse the school record of 159.6 set by Michael Bishop in 1998.

"What Adrian and Will have done this year has galvanized our unit, quite honestly," Klein said. "Every season has those twists and turns you never know are coming, and both of them have handled each side of it in stride. I'm so proud of their leadership and consistency."

The Wildcats boast Vaughn, First Team All-Big 12 tight end Ben Sinnott, and three senior wide receivers in Knowles, Warner and Phillip Brooks. As for the Wildcats' offensive line headed by All-American Cooper Beebe? It's as rugged as they come.

K-State's 5.14 yards per rush ranks third in school history and its 2,737 passing yards ranks eighth.

"Coach Klein has done a great job of mixing things up and adding unique things," Beebe said. "We're not as predictable as we used to be. We've definitely opened up our passing game this year and that's helped the success in the running game.

"Just all around, it's fun to watch us ball out."

Gallery: (12-30-2022) K-State FB at AllState Sugar Bowl - Day4

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cooper Beebe

Phillip Brooks

Will Howard

Malik Knowles

Adrian Martinez

Ben Sinnott

Deuce Vaughn

Kade Warner

Related Videos