NORTHTEXAS -- Recap

Yes, North Texas was tougher than expected.

I missed the first quarter, but an untimely fumble by Hubert as we were driving to score probably changed the momentum quite a bit.  Our tackling improved in the 2nd half and we did enough without putting too much on film to pull out the 2 TD victory.

Watch the North Texas highlights from KStateHD and the post game from the Mask:

How is Klein doing in his pursuit for the Heisman?  With M. Barkley for USC taking a loss this early in the season, the focus has appeared to shift towards G. Smith out of WV.  But, CBS Sports still ranks Klein at #6 (and climbing):

6. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State -- There's something about Klein that makes him an appealing candidate. A friend of mine commented on the oddity of his throwing motion during Saturday's 35-21 K-State win over North Texas, but he was forced to admit that he still gets the job done. No other player in college football seems to succeed by the same kind of sheer will that Klein does. 

On the season he is completing 73 percent of his passes -- a huge improvement over last year -- with 609 yards and five touchdowns to go with 210 rushing yards and four scores. He's on pace to have 2,436 passing yards, 840 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns. He'll have to improve those numbers quite a bit, but I think he's likely to do so as he gets into a groove against more able competition. A hard-nosed leader on an underdog team, Klein has a chance to become the sentimental favorite for the award as the season wears on.

Klein scores one of this three TD's on the day (2 passing, 1 rushing).

With a win over OU this week, I would think Klein could move into the top 3.  It will be tough to unseat Smith if he continues to put up the PlayStation numbers, however. The one thing that WOULD do it ... a  KSU win in Morgantown.

Lockett's big return also garned enough attention to earn him BigXII Special Teams Player of the Week:

Tyler Lockett, KR/WR, Kansas State: With K-State trailing, 7-0, Lockett returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, giving him three for his career and helping K-State beat North Texas, 35-21. He finished with 119 yards on his two kickoff returns, and needs just two more touchdowns to tie the school record of five, set by Brandon Banks.

Lockett does it again vs. the Mean Green, set up for a left side return with perfect blocking.
Red Hat guy looks on in dismay.

Check out this Lockett HS interview video -- great stuff from the young superstar in May 2011 --

And the Predator?  Even injured, hobbled by an ankle injury, Brown still lead the team with a team high 13 tackles, pushing his season total to 28.  As one fan on Twitter observed after the game:

 "We've got one guy with one foot, and 10 guys with two feet, and the guy with one foot is making all the tackles." #beastmode

This is ABJr. destroying another hapless victim.

And check this out from Sports Illustrated from last week that I missed:  Arthur Brown stock continues to rise in the eyes of the NFL.  Gotta love this:

"Brown plays like a first round choice and is a three down defender that can be used in a variety of systems at the next level."

Finally, I know this is a football blog for football fans, but our women's volleyball team has quietly ascended to elite status as well, earning a near top 10 ranking with their big wins this weekend in the Golden Hurricane Classic in Tulsa.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – After winning the Golden Hurricane Classic and defeating two ranked teams in the process this weekend, the K-State volleyball team has climbed eight spots in the latest AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll to No. 11. The Wildcats were the big movers this week in the poll and it marks the highest ranking for K-State since being ranked No. 11 on Nov. 26, 2007.

Go #volleycats.