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IRVING, Texas — When it comes to calling plays, Kansas State's coaching staff does things a little differently.
While most programs assign play-calling duties to an offensive coordinator, the Wildcats use a by-committee approach. Bill Snyder and co-offensive coordinators Dana Dimel and Del Miller all have input. Depending on the situation, any one of them can be in control.
That may sound complicated, but Dimel and Miller say they have never run into problems.
"We've all worked together for so long that it becomes a fairly easy thing," Miller said.
"Del and I get together and put the game plan together," Dimel said. "We talk about what we like and as the game is going we have certain down and distances that we call. We'll call which particular down and distance applies to us.... It's worked out pretty good throughout the year."
Both coaches wouldn't elaborate on specific situations when they have called plays. Snyder has veto power on every call.
K-State's offense averaged 33.1 points and 343.4 yards this season. It ranked sixth in the Big 12.
Back it up — One question K-State will face heading into spring practices is who will back up Collin Klein at quarterback next season? Senior Sammuel Lamur is listed second on the depth chart, and third-stringer Justin Tuggle is currently practicing at linebacker.
Redshirt freshman Daniel Sams, a dual-threat quarterback out of Louisiana, will be a likely candidate to play behind Klein, but so will incoming high school quarterback Tavarius Bender, of Lincoln, Neb. Tuggle could still factor into things, too.
"We've got to find ourselves a backup quarterback and a future quarterback," Dimel said. "They will all be in the mix."
Ideally, whoever wins the backup spot will be ready to play at a moment's notice.
"That would be really good," Dimel said. "It would be very good on our nerves to know we have a quarterback that can get in there and do a good job for us next year. That's always an important thing. When you're running a quarterback like we do with Collin, you've got to have a good backup. It's going to be very critical in spring ball that we get a backup quarterback."
Family values — In senior defensive end Jake Bequette, Arkansas has a player with ties to the program stretching back almost 60 years.
Bequette's grandfather, George, played for the Razorbacks from 1954-56. His father, Jay, played for Arkansas from 1980-82. His uncle, Chris, played from 1984-87.
Bequette also isn't the first one in his family to play in the Cotton Bowl — George played in the Razorbacks' 14-6 loss to Georgia Tech on Jan. 1, 1955.
"I grew up saying, 'Go Hogs,' " Bequette said. "I really didn't know anything else. It's all Arkansas in my family."
Even with all of that, Bequette has managed to carve out his own niche in Razorbacks history. He's third on Arkansas' career list for sacks with 21 1/2 and was All-SEC this season while leading the team with eight sacks. A four-year starter, he was second-team All-SEC last season and was on the All-SEC freshman team in 2008. He's also completed his bachelor's degree in finance and is in graduate school.
Bequette is projected as a mid-round pick in this year's NFL Draft.
"I'm proud of what I've accomplished, but I'm more proud of what we've accomplished as a team," Bequette said. "We've played a lot of great teams and a lot of great offenses and Kansas State fits into that category."
It's safe to say that Bequette has the K-State offensive line's attention.
Center B.J. Finney and right tackle Clyde Aufner singled out Bequette on Tuesday as a player who could create havoc against the Wildcats on Friday.
"He's got a great speed-to-power bull rush... he's just a great player," Finney said. "Our tackles are going to have our hands full with (Bequette). It's just going to come down to whoever gets fatigued first will lose that battle."
Keeping Bequette off quarterback Collin Klein in passing situations will fall on the shoulders of Aufner and left tackle Zach Hanson.
"He's talented, quick and physical," Aufner said of Bequette. "I think we're just excited to go out and compete with him."
Dealing with a layoff — The month off between the end of the regular season and the start of the Cotton Bowl is hard on both teams, but K-State has benefited from so much time to practice for the game.
Unlike a year ago, when they had to juggle bowl practices and finals week leading up to the Pinstripe Bowl, the majority of their practice time has come while classes aren't in session.
"All we're doing is playing football now," receiver Chris Harper said. "We're not going to school. We're not worrying about writing a paper or being late for practice because of class. It's so nice."
Red Ravens to Razorbacks — The lone Kansas connection on the Arkansas roster is defensive tackle Robert Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 308-pound sophomore. Thomas redshirted at Coffeyville Community College in 2009 and was a second- team All-Jayhawk pick in 2010.
Thomas, from Muskogee, Okla., has made five starts for the Razorbacks this season and played in 11 of 12 games, recording 22 tackles and 2 1/2 tackles for loss.
