Texas Tech vs. Kansas State: Collin Klein Keeps Heisman Hopes Alive with Big Win
Collin Klein was the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy heading into Week 9 of the college football season. His gutsy performance at Bill Snyder Stadium on Saturday will do nothing but reaffirm those considerations.
Klein and his Kansas State Wildcats found themselves trailing 7-0 with Texas Tech driving into Wildcats territory. Defensive end Meshak Williams laid a blindsided strip-sack on Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege that was returned for a touchdown.
That call was negated by an illegal blocking penalty on the Wildcats during the return, but the damage was done. The momentum had shifted.
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Thatโs all Klein needed to get back into his groove and begin to move his team at ease against the Red Raiders defense. He used a combination of precision pocket passing and ball-carrier vision in the read-option rushing game to put his team ahead 20-10 early in the third quarter.
Klein and his teammates never looked back.
The following possession for the Red Raiders ended abruptly with an untimely fumble. Klein took over in Texas Tech territory and made them pay with a 16-yard rushing touchdown.
He may have started out slowly, but as the game wore on and Texas Tech continued to make mistakes, the solid and sure Klein led his team with a steady hand.
The third quarter, and turning point of the game, may have been the lasting impression Klein leaves to Heisman judgesโat least up to this point in the season.
He was 7-of-8 passing with 95 yards and a touchdown. He also carried seven times for 76 yards and scored twice. Thatโs three TDs in the third quarter during a pivotal matchup against a Top 15 team and conference opponent.
Kleinโs making his case for the trophy more and more each week.
Are you buying in?
Who else is more deserving than the quarterback whoโs put his team on his shoulders and is leading them towards a perfect season?
Mikeย Hoagย Jr. is a B/R Breaking News Team writer and covers the NFL, NCAA Football and theย Cleveland Brownsย for the site. Follow him on Twitter for analysis and updates on the latest news and happenings in the sports world.
