A Hunger to Learn and Get Better
Sep 21, 2026 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Five days before Avery Johnson did the feat, Kansas State head coach Collin Klein, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in school history, currently a 37-year-old offensive dynamo whose achievements during his playing days are mentioned alongside Michael Bishop and Ell Roberson, stands at a podium during his weekly news conference at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Visions of the young man he recruited to K-State years ago, who was regarded as the No. 1 high school dual-threat quarterback in America, that smiling young man with gold locks down the road at Maize High School, come into focus — along with snapshots of his many exploits during his development in purple and white.
"What I've been most proud of and excited about is Avery's hunger to learn and get better," Klein says. "From a guy who's going to have a chance to probably break every record this place has ever had and competing and making the plays that he's making, to be able to have that type of hunger and mindset is really, really exciting for his future — and our future."
Klein donned a radio headset on Saturday evening after K-State's 31-20 win over Tulane to finish its non-conference season a perfect 3-0 as it now prepares to visit Cincinnati, 3-0, in a 6:00 p.m. meeting at Nippert Stadium. Examining the final game statistics, Klein was taken aback by Johnson's statistics against the Green Wave during the third game of his senior season.
"I'm looking at the numbers right now," Klein says over the radio. "Are my eyes right? Is that 152 rushing yards?"
Klein pauses.
"Geez," he continues, "it took me three games to get that."
It's the right of passage for the great players, the understanding that THAT day will arrive, and it's just a matter of exactly when. In a season-opening 71-3 win over Nicholls, Johnson threw his 49th career touchdown to break a tie with Will Howard for the most touchdown passes all-time in K-State history. In a 34-7 win over Washington State, Johnson moved into fourth place all-time with 7,446 total offensive yards, passing Klein. In the Wildcats' win over Tulane, Johnson accounted for a 78th and 79th touchdown that he has been responsible for in his career, passing Roberson. He also threw for 227 passing yards, giving him 6,194 passing yards to pass Jake Waters at 5,970 for fourth all-time in school history.
On September 29, 2001, Roberson put together one of the greatest all-around performances in history by a K-State quarterback by passing for 257 yards and one touchdown and rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-27 loss at No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Johnson topped that feat on Saturday.
Johnson completed 21-of-28 passes for 227 yards and added 12 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, making Johnson the first player in K-State history to reach 200 passing yards and 150 rushing yards in a single game. He was also just the 14th quarterback in the 30-year history of the Big 12 Conference to achieve the feat.
"There are going to be games, and he's definitely capable of that," Klein says. "Avery is a spectacular player and a spectacular competitor and he's getting better and he's embracing that process. Numbers like that production is a great thing for our program."
Johnson achieved another feat on Saturday. With a 23-yard rush in the second quarter against Tulane, Johnson became the first player in school history with 6,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in a career.
Asked about his 6,000/1,500 feat, Johnson deadpans, "It means I'm getting kind of old," drawing laughter from reporters during postgame interviews.
"It's a great feeling," Johnson says. "All that stuff is really cool. I love this place so much. To etch my name in history means a lot because of how much this state means to me and how much this university means to me. It really does mean a lot. But, I mean, I'm still hungry. I'm hungry for wins and the accolades that come along with it, I'll always be grateful for them. I don't take anything for granted in this sport. You never know what can happen. It's just a blessing to be able to play with these guys every single week. The biggest thing is starting 3-0 is a really good feeling."
Currently, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Johnson ranks top 5 all-time in K-State history in nine different statistical categories. With each passing week down the stretch of his senior season, seems Johnson will be knocking on the door for another rare feat or elevated standing in the school record book.
"He's one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country," K-State senior wide receiver Jaron Tibbs says. "He passes it really well, and if everything breaks down, he's able to get a lot of extra yards with his legs. His second-level speed, I haven't seen a lot like that in college."
Adds senior tight end Will Anciaux: "His speed can be a game changer, and he can let it rip and it's fun to watch."
There's certainly plenty to applaud.
"Avery did a heck of a job today," Klein says. "He did a great job of just getting into a rhythm. The way he keeps working the game and seeing pictures and giving our guys chances with the football was spectacular, and he did an unbelievable job picking his spots and the game wore on and keeping us on the field. I was really proud with how he competed the entire game."
And sometimes, as Johnson's senior season goes along, he'll achieve a feat that his head coach will see on the game statistics and won't believe, causing a double take.
That's what Johnson did Saturday when he did the feat.
And there's likely more where that came from.
Five days before Avery Johnson did the feat, Kansas State head coach Collin Klein, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in school history, currently a 37-year-old offensive dynamo whose achievements during his playing days are mentioned alongside Michael Bishop and Ell Roberson, stands at a podium during his weekly news conference at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Visions of the young man he recruited to K-State years ago, who was regarded as the No. 1 high school dual-threat quarterback in America, that smiling young man with gold locks down the road at Maize High School, come into focus — along with snapshots of his many exploits during his development in purple and white.
"What I've been most proud of and excited about is Avery's hunger to learn and get better," Klein says. "From a guy who's going to have a chance to probably break every record this place has ever had and competing and making the plays that he's making, to be able to have that type of hunger and mindset is really, really exciting for his future — and our future."
Klein donned a radio headset on Saturday evening after K-State's 31-20 win over Tulane to finish its non-conference season a perfect 3-0 as it now prepares to visit Cincinnati, 3-0, in a 6:00 p.m. meeting at Nippert Stadium. Examining the final game statistics, Klein was taken aback by Johnson's statistics against the Green Wave during the third game of his senior season.
"I'm looking at the numbers right now," Klein says over the radio. "Are my eyes right? Is that 152 rushing yards?"
Klein pauses.
"Geez," he continues, "it took me three games to get that."
It's the right of passage for the great players, the understanding that THAT day will arrive, and it's just a matter of exactly when. In a season-opening 71-3 win over Nicholls, Johnson threw his 49th career touchdown to break a tie with Will Howard for the most touchdown passes all-time in K-State history. In a 34-7 win over Washington State, Johnson moved into fourth place all-time with 7,446 total offensive yards, passing Klein. In the Wildcats' win over Tulane, Johnson accounted for a 78th and 79th touchdown that he has been responsible for in his career, passing Roberson. He also threw for 227 passing yards, giving him 6,194 passing yards to pass Jake Waters at 5,970 for fourth all-time in school history.
On September 29, 2001, Roberson put together one of the greatest all-around performances in history by a K-State quarterback by passing for 257 yards and one touchdown and rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-27 loss at No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Johnson topped that feat on Saturday.
Johnson completed 21-of-28 passes for 227 yards and added 12 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, making Johnson the first player in K-State history to reach 200 passing yards and 150 rushing yards in a single game. He was also just the 14th quarterback in the 30-year history of the Big 12 Conference to achieve the feat.
"There are going to be games, and he's definitely capable of that," Klein says. "Avery is a spectacular player and a spectacular competitor and he's getting better and he's embracing that process. Numbers like that production is a great thing for our program."
Johnson achieved another feat on Saturday. With a 23-yard rush in the second quarter against Tulane, Johnson became the first player in school history with 6,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in a career.
Asked about his 6,000/1,500 feat, Johnson deadpans, "It means I'm getting kind of old," drawing laughter from reporters during postgame interviews.
"It's a great feeling," Johnson says. "All that stuff is really cool. I love this place so much. To etch my name in history means a lot because of how much this state means to me and how much this university means to me. It really does mean a lot. But, I mean, I'm still hungry. I'm hungry for wins and the accolades that come along with it, I'll always be grateful for them. I don't take anything for granted in this sport. You never know what can happen. It's just a blessing to be able to play with these guys every single week. The biggest thing is starting 3-0 is a really good feeling."
Currently, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Johnson ranks top 5 all-time in K-State history in nine different statistical categories. With each passing week down the stretch of his senior season, seems Johnson will be knocking on the door for another rare feat or elevated standing in the school record book.
"He's one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country," K-State senior wide receiver Jaron Tibbs says. "He passes it really well, and if everything breaks down, he's able to get a lot of extra yards with his legs. His second-level speed, I haven't seen a lot like that in college."
Adds senior tight end Will Anciaux: "His speed can be a game changer, and he can let it rip and it's fun to watch."
There's certainly plenty to applaud.
"Avery did a heck of a job today," Klein says. "He did a great job of just getting into a rhythm. The way he keeps working the game and seeing pictures and giving our guys chances with the football was spectacular, and he did an unbelievable job picking his spots and the game wore on and keeping us on the field. I was really proud with how he competed the entire game."
And sometimes, as Johnson's senior season goes along, he'll achieve a feat that his head coach will see on the game statistics and won't believe, causing a double take.
That's what Johnson did Saturday when he did the feat.
And there's likely more where that came from.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
