This classic Collin Klein play has brought out the best in K-State QB Adrian Martinez

When you think of Kansas State’s best running quarterbacks of all time, you start with Collin Klein.

He still owns the school record for both rushing attempts (317) and rushing yards in a single-season (1,141) for a Wildcats quarterback. He also ranks second in program history in terms of career rushing yards (2,458), with only Ell Roberson (2,818) edging him out.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Wildcats are once again shredding Big 12 defenses with a run-oriented quarterback now that Klein is calling plays as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Ever since Klein unshackled current K-State quarterback Adrian Martinez against Oklahoma and began leaning on his legs for big plays, opposing teams have looked hapless trying to keep him out of the end zone. The Nebraska transfer rushed for 148 yards and four touchdowns against the Sooners and then followed that up with 171 yards and three touchdowns on the ground against Texas Tech.

Martinez leads the nation in QB rushing with 469 yards on 72 carries this season.

The Wildcats (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) have entered the top 25 and Martinez is now considered a Heisman contender, just like Klein was a decade ago when he led K-State to its last conference championship.

Those similarities all stem from one thing: Klein and Martinez can make big things happen when they get the ball on designed QB runs.

“It’s a hard play to stop,” Klein said. “The guys up front are getting it done and Adrian has done a nice job.”

K-State running back Deuce Vaughn also deserves some credit for the success Martinez has found on the ground this season. Even though he is one of the shortest players in the country at 5-foot-6, he is an effective lead blocker capable of springing Martinez for a big gain.

On top of that, Vaughn is also an electric playmaker who has rushed for 638 yards and three touchdowns this season. In each of the past two games, defenders have been so focused on Vaughn that they tackled him in the backfield when he didn’t even have the ball.

Whenever Martinez fakes a handoff to Vaughn, he becomes a threat to score on a misdirection keeper.

“He’s a dynamic football player,” Vaughn said. “Anytime he breaks one, I put my hand up because I understand that the speed and explosiveness that he has is phenomenal. Whenever you have a quarterback back there like that, a home-run hitter, anytime that he has the football you hold your breath because he is probably going to break this one.”

Did we also mention he has also taken off for long runs as a scrambler?

K-State defensive end Brendan Mott tried to tackle Martinez on all those plays during preseason camp. He is glad he doesn’t have to deal with that challenge in games.

“Oh man, that is one thing we struggled with all offseason,” Mott said. “He came back from his shoulder injury and was impossible to bring down. We would watch film of him scrambling and we had to put it in slow motion just to fully appreciate how quick and well he ran the ball, because he is such a great athlete.”

Add Vaughn into the equation and they are a nightmare to scheme against.

“Those two together is just a deadly combination,” Mott said. “They are both very fast and very shifty. They are also both really smart. You can’t afford to make any mistakes against them.”

The Wildcats have needed big plays from their passing game this season, because their passing game has been virtually non existent. Martinez is averaging 6.5 yards per rush but only 5.5 yards per pass.

It’s a good bet that Iowa State will do everything it can to stop Martinez and Vaughn from beating the Cyclones when K-State heads to Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday. But the Wildcats are confident they can keep running the ball against any defense.

After all, who knows more about quarterback runs than Klein?

“From a scheme standpoint he really understands it,” Martinez said. “I think it helps that he understands what it is like and what it is like to get in a rhythm as a quarterback and feel what is there. It’s about numbers. Coach Klein has experience with those plays and is a really solid offensive coordinator. He understands the right time to make those calls.”