Looking Back At One Of Kansas State Coach Collin Klein's Finest Moments From 15 Years Ago
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The Kansas State Wildcats are finishing up a bye week.
After last week's loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats, they return to the field Oct. 10 against the Houston Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. With not much happening on the current front, it's a great time to look back at some past moments.
On Oct. 1, 2011, Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein, now the coach, led one of the biggest wins in program history. K-State knocked off the favored Baylor Bears, who were ranked No. 15 in the nation at the time.
It was somewhat of a coming out party for Klein, who was in his first season as the starter. He was up against the best player in college football in Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. The player dubbed RGIII went on to win the Heisman Trophy that season before being drafted by the Washington Commanders.
But on this day, he was out-dueled by Klein.
Griffin completed 23 of 31 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns against just one interception. While Klein lost the passing competition, he made up for it with his dual threat abilities.
He finished with 359 total yards and three touchdowns. Klein was 13 of 28 for 146 yards and two scores while rushing 25 times for 113 yards and another touchdown.
Behind the strong game from Griffin, the Bears appeared headed toward remaining unbeaten through four games of the season. They were ahead 35-26 midway through the fourth quarter before Klein led a 70-yard drive that was capped with one of his touchdown runs.
Still, the Wildcats needed more help.
That came in the form of All-Big 12 linebacker Arthur Brown. He picked off an errant Griffin pass on the next drive. It was Griffin's first interception of the season. K-State then hit the go-ahead field goal with 3 minutes, 10 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats defense then stopped the Bears on downs to seal the win. The victory was the beginning of the Klein legend. He led the Wildcats to a 10-3 record before having his own Heisman-like season the following year.
In 2012, the Wildcats finished 11-3, won the Big 12 conference title before losing to the Oregon Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl. While Klein never got to test his talents in the NFL like Griffin, he at least got to defeat him on this day.
Now, Klein's job as coach is getting the Wildcats back to similar glory days in Manhattan.
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