NORMAN — There were times when Collin Klein’s mother couldn’t help but worry, when she would watch her son take a snap from center, dodge a couple of defenders and then take off at a gallop.
The play would usually end up with Kansas State’s quarterback taking a big hit, the kind that caused Kelly Klein to gasp. The kid would invariably drag himself off the turf, blood usually seeping from his elbows. He would adjust his facemask, hike back his shoulder pads and trundle back to the huddle and do it all again.
“I get emotional because I do worry,” Kelly Klein admitted this week. “But he does what he loves to do, so you have to be grateful that he has the physical ability to do it.”
Klein’s prodigious physical ability, along with his even demeanor, unwavering faith and singular focus on getting better bit by bit all contributed to one of the finest careers in Kansas State history. On Wednesday, he was voted the AP Big 12 offensive player of the year.
“I’m just honored with this opportunity that the Lord has provided me here at K-State,” said Klein, who made the All-Big 12 first team as a quarterback and was honorable mention as an all-purpose player. “I’m just happy to represent Kansas State, our team and what we’ve been able to accomplish this season.”
The Heisman Trophy finalist set a slew of records while helping the seventh-ranked Wildcats to an 11-win season, the third conference title in school history and a berth opposite Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
Klein is the first player from Kansas State to be voted the Big 12’s top offensive player. He received 14 of the 18 votes from members of the media who regularly cover the Big 12, while West Virginia’s Tavon Austin got three votes and Terrance Williams of Baylor received the other one.
“It’s an amazing thing and it’s a huge honor, but the reward, you know, is just seeing him do his thing, and do what he loves to do,” said Klein’s father, Doug Klein. “Truly, whether it’s recognized or not, that’s the reward.”
Klein’s coach, Bill Snyder, was voted Big 12 coach of the year for the third time on Tuesday.
“He deserves all the compliments he can have,” Snyder said. “He’s awfully good at what he does, and he’s awfully good as a leader and he’s awfully good as a field manager, and he’s awfully good in all the physical aspects of the game — and he’s a tremendous person.”
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