Collin Klein's greatest Kansas State football moments (so far)

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MANHATTAN — Collin Klein is Kansas State’s new football coach, returning to Manhattan, where he became one of the most beloved players ever to put on a Wildcats uniform.

Fans have dreamt of Klein’s return since he departed to become Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator. The stars have aligned, and No. 7 will lead the Wildcats into their next era.

With the hire, memories of Klein’s playing days have resurfaced, recalling what made him a Heisman Trophy finalist, while some still believe he was more worthy of the trophy than Johnny Manziel.

Klein’s back. Here is a look at some of his greatest moments in Manhattan:

Collin Klein signs to play for Kansas State football

In May 2007, Kansas State received a commitment from Klein, who was considered either a two- or three-star quarterback. He had interest from Utah, Air Force and Colorado, but he chose to play for Ron Prince, who signed another quarterback to the class.

When Klein signed a few months later, Prince was complimentary of both Klein and Joseph Kassanavoid because they were both quarterbacks with a similar build to Josh Freeman and played basketball.

“They’re very aggressive on the court, which I like,” Prince said. “Both have the arm to throw in weather conditions.”

Kassanavoid went on to be credited with nine combined tackles during his K-State career, then transferred to play baseball at Park before playing in the Independent League.

Klein went on to become a legend.

Collin Klein’s first career start was in a win over Texas

Making the first start of his career, Klein only threw the ball four times, but he ran all over the Longhorns in a 39-14 win. He finished the game with nine passing yards, but he rushed for 127 and two touchdowns, while Daniel Thomas rushed for 106 yards and two scores of his own.

“He gained about 200 yards rushing when I’d never heard his name before as a backup quarterback the first time I saw him,” Texas coach Mack Brown said two years later.

Collin Klein outdueled Robert Griffin III in 2011

Klein announced himself when he led Kansas State to a 36-35 win over Baylor during the fourth game of his first season as the full-time starter.

The Wildcats scored the game’s final 10 points in the fourth quarter for the one-point win. Anthony Cantele booted a 31-yard field goal with 3:10 for what was ultimately the game-winner.

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III went on to win the Heisman that year, but it was Klein’s heroics that got it done, despite RG3’s five touchdown passes. Klein threw for 146 yards and two scores, while rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas State knocked off Oklahoma in Norman in 2012

The Sooners were the No. 6 team in the country when Klein and the Wildcats strolled into Norman and handed them a 24-19 defeat. Klein threw for 149 yards and rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown. Klein’s score came early in the fourth quarter, giving the Wildcats a lead they wouldn’t give back.

It was then that most figured that K-State was in for a special season.

Collin Klein led K-State to a 4OT win over Texas A&M

Before he eventually wound up in College Station to coach the Aggies, Klein put together a classic performance to beat them.

Klein led the Wildcats back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and then went back-and-forth with the Aggies in a four-overtime game that ended with K-State emerging with a 53-50 win. He threw for 281 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 103 yards and five scores.

Kansas State destroyed West Virginia on the road

Ranked fourth in the country, K-State went to Morgantown and thumped the No. 17 team in the country.

Klein was incredibly efficient, outdueling Geno Smith, throwing for 323 yards and three touchdowns on 19 of 21 passing. He also ran the ball 12 times for 41 yards and four scores.

Kansas State was No. 1 in the BCS standings after an 11-0 start

K-State sat atop the college football world after a 23-10 win over TCU, giving the Wildcats a 10-0 start to the season. Klein was receiving Heisman buzz and had the Wildcats looking like a national championship contender.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn’t hang with Baylor the next week, but they responded in a big way.

Collin Klein leads Kansas State to Big 12 championship win

The highlight of Klein’s career in many K-Staters’ eyes would be the 2012 Big 12 title clincher, in which the Wildcats exploded for a 42-24 win over Texas. It is one of three Big 12 titles the Wildcats have won.

After trailing midway through the third quarter, the Wildcats scored 28 unanswered points, capped off by a Klein touchdown run with 1:53 to go in front of his home crowd.

Klein finished the game with 103 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while also throwing for 184 yards and a touchdown.

Collin Klein was invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony

Before playing in the Fiesta Bowl to close out his playing career, Klein was invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony after completing 180 of 272 passes for 2,490 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 890 yards and 22 touchdowns during the season.

“I’m just honored with this opportunity that the Lord has provided me here at K-State,” Klein said. “I’m so proud to represent K-State in this because I feel like my road is very synonymous and in line with the K-State way. It has been a process, a journey.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs, as well as a lot of hard times and growing pains through it. I’m just very proud to represent the K-State family and our heart and spirit in this environment.”

Klein didn’t win the award, finishing third behind Manziel and Manti Te’o, but it placed him among the Wildcat greats to even be considered, joining Darren Sproles and Michael Bishop.

Collin Klein returned to coach at Kansas State under Bill Snyder

In the second of his Manhattan homecomings, Klein returned to the Wildcats as their quarterback coach in 2017 under Snyder, before eventually taking over as offensive coordinator in 2022. He replaced the outgoing Del Miller, who retired after a 45-year coaching career.

“I am thankful to Coach Snyder for the opportunity to return to a place that I love while learning and growing under his leadership,” Klein said. “I also want to express my thanks to Coach Miller, who helped me grow as both a quarterback and a person, and I want to build upon the success he has enjoyed coaching quarterbacks at K-State. We are thrilled to be back as a part of the Manhattan community and Wildcat Family.”

Kansas State won a Big 12 title with Collin Klein as offensive coordinator

Klein helped pull the strings for the Wildcats in their 31-28 win over third-ranked TCU, giving them a Big 12 Championship in 2022. It was the high point of the Chris Klieman era.

The Wildcats needed overtime to earn the win in Arlington, winning on Ty Zentner’s game-winning field goal. Klein’s offense put up 404 yards of offense on the eventual national runner-up, with Will Howard throwing for 199 yards and two scores, while Deuce Vaughn rushed for 130 yards and one touchdown.

Collin Klein’s return to become head coach

After Klein left for Texas A&M, fans dreamt of Klein’s return. Once it became a reality, Wildcat fans were rejuvenated after a disappointing 2025 season.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Collin Klein best moments of Kansas State football career so far

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