Texas A&M’s playoff loss comes with a silver lining for Collin Klein and K-State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Collin Klein will focus full-time on Kansas State after Texas A&M playoff exit.
- Aggies offense struggled in final games, raising some questions about scheme.
- Klein likely brings multiple A&M assistants to build K-State staff quickly.
Collin Klein’s time as an offensive coordinator ended with a whimper when Texas A&M failed to score a touchdown during a 10-3 playoff loss against Miami on Saturday at Kyle Field.
That is certainly a disappointing result for Klein, who wanted to help the Aggies win a national championship.
But it will be viewed in a positive light by at least some Kansas State football fans, because it means that Klein is no longer working two jobs. From now on, Klein’s entire focus will shift to his new role as head coach with the Wildcats.
No more flights from College Station to Manhattan. No more game-planning for the Aggies and recruiting for the Wildcats. No more sleep-deprived nights.
Things are about to get a lot simpler for both Klein and the K-State football team.
That is the silver lining to Texas A&M’s loss for anyone associated with EMAW Nation.
Of course, some were hoping that the Aggies would look a little better on offense. Heading into the weekend, an ideal scenario for K-State fans seemed to be Miami winning a shootout against Texas A&M. That way, Klein would have enhanced his reputation as an offensive savant and the Wildcats would get a full-time head coach.
But things didn’t work out that way.
Texas A&M looked overmatched as it averaged 4.3 yards per play against Miami. The Aggies finished the day with 326 yards and 21 first downs. Both of those numbers were better than what the Hurricanes put on the stat sheet. But Texas A&M punted five times and lost three turnovers, including an interception from quarterback Marcel Reed in the final minute.
Reed, who completed 25 of 39 passes for 237 yards, had a chance to force overtime in the closing moments. But he threw an interception in the end zone with 24 seconds remaining.
It’s worth noting that high winds made it difficult for both teams to move the ball. Miami quarterback Carson Beck only threw for 103 yards. Outside of 172 rushing yards from Mark Fletcher, nobody on either offense had an outstanding day.
Still, fans expected Texas A&M to score more than three points regardless of the conditions.
ESPN cameras showed Klein calling plays in the press box throughout the game and mentioned his new job at Kansas State many times.
Texas A&M also lost its regular-season finale to Texas 27-17. Klein’s offense didn’t perform well in his final two games with the Aggies. That could raise some concerns for K-State fans.
In any case, Texas A&M bowing out of the playoff will provide closure.
And not just for Klein. He is expected to bring several Texas A&M coaches with him to K-State. This loss means they can get started sooner rather than later.
Texas A&M co-defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson is expected to lead the K-State defense next season. Texas A&M tight ends coach Christian Ellsworth is expected to tutor K-State quarterbacks next year. Texas A&M analyst Josh Buford and potentially others are also expected to be on Klein’s inaugural staff in Manhattan.
All of them wanted to coach a little longer at Texas A&M. But they can now look forward to their futures at K-State.