time to redact the bullshit
There are so many ways to begin analyzing, critiquing and lauding Klein, but shortly after Klein threw for a career-high 281 yards and one touchdown and one interception, and rushed a career-high 35 times for 103 yards and a nation high-tying five touchdowns against the Aggies, a familiar scene unfolded in the living room of Klein's off-campus home that he shares with younger brother Kyle Klein and redshirt freshman center B.J. Finney.
It began with a trip to the freezer to break out the ice packs.
"Standard game day procedure," Finney said on Tuesday. "We just ice down what's hurting. We wrap the ice packs in a towel, or if it won stay on, we keep some plastic wrap from the trainers and re-wrap that around it."
Doug Klein, who makes these regular pilgrimages eight hours east with wife Kelly for home games, has grown used to witnessing the ordeal after the family's post-game dinner.
"It's definitely part of the routine, there's no doubt about that," Doug Klein said. "They immediately start taking care of their bodies and getting them ready to go for the next week. They have to do that. They don't have a choice."
Asked exactly how much the season has taken a toll on his son, Doug Klein says, "I'll use the quote that he's gotten to be good friends with the training staff."
There's plenty of bumps and bruises and cuts that have helped to pave the way for the Wildcats' leader, who has accounted for 2,513 (69 percent) of his team's 3,641 total yards and 34 of its 40 offensive touchdowns in 10 games. And plenty of scintillating moments have accompanied Klein's climb.
Four months after sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season to a small gathering in that Dallas ballroom, it's become pretty packed on the Klein bus.
Everyone wants to see where he's going to take the Wildcats next.
That includes one former K-State quarterback that finished as runner-up for the 1998 Heisman Trophy to Texas running back Ricky Williams.
Klein has rushed for a nation-leading 24 touchdowns this season. He needs three touchdowns at Texas on Saturday to tie Williams' Big 12 single-season record.
"Collin Klein is definitely leading the team. Everyone looks to him for that leadership when it's game time. Overall, his performance has been superb this year."
- Michael Bishop
"Collin Klein is definitely leading the team," Michael Bishop said on Tuesday. "Everyone looks to him for that leadership when it's game time. Overall, his performance has been superb this year. He does a great job running the ball, being patient and squeezing out the yardage when they need it."
