By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette has watched plenty of film on Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein the past month.

He sees the junior’s determination. He notices his grit. And, although their styles are much different, he thinks about Tyler Wilson.

“He’s taken his fair share of shots,” Bequette said of Klein. “He’s obviously a tough guy and anyone who has watched Tyler this year would say the same thing. He’s taken more than his fair share of licks this year, but he just keeps coming back and he just keeps leading us to wins.”

The 2012 Cotton Bowl will feature a contrast of offensive styles when Arkansas’ high-powered passing attack and Kansas State’s run-oriented gameplan take center stage on Friday night. But there’s a common linke between both teams under center, where toughness has defined quarterbacks who helped their teams win 10 games.

Wilson and Klein have earned respect and admiration from teammates and opponents alike because of their ability to take a lick and keep leading in their first full seasons as starters.

Klein took a more repetitive pounding, running the ball a whopping 293 times in what is regarded as a pass-happy Big 12 Conference. Wilson was popped numerous times over the course of the year, but kept hanging in the pocket as long as needed to deliver passes to Arkansas’ playmakers.

Both teams know there’s no way either would be in the Cotton Bowl without the quarterbacks.

“If your quarterback is tough they’re going to follow him,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “They’re going to play a little harder. They’re going to do everything for him. His ability to stand in there, not flinch and make plays makes everybody else that much tougher.”

Wilson felt it was an important attribute to display on the field early this season, stepping into the starting job in place of departed record-setter Ryan Mallett. He wanted to prove to teammates he was worthy of leading the team, trust he earned by hanging in the pocket when a new-look offensive line struggled to get its footing early.

The most prominent display of Wilson’s toughness came in the loss at Alabama, when the Crimson Tide defense teed off on the quarterback every snap.

One of the most vicious hits came when Wilson was pummeled on a pass that eventually ended up in receiver Cobi Hamilton’s hands for a touchdown.

Players cringed when they watched game tape later. But Wilson also gained their respect.

“There’s been a couple times where I’ve been like, ‘Man, he’s a tough kid,’” Hamilton said. “There’s only one guy that probably could do that. That’s him. We stand behind him. There’s 10 guys in the huddle that have all kind of faith in him. … As long as we keep going and have faith in Tyler he’s going to lead this team to a victory.”

Wilson’s toughness helped him become the first Arkansas quarterback to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He completed 257 of 407 passes for 3,422 yards with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this season and can lead the Hogs to their first 11-win season since 1977 with a win against Kansas State on Friday night.

“There were a few shots,” Wilson said. “There were a couple in the Alabama game. One particular in the Vanderbilt game where I got popped pretty good. … You have to keep going and keep slinging it. I find when you complete the pass after the big hit it doesn’t hurt nearly as bad.

“So I guess that’s what kind of keeps you going.”

Klein knows the feeling. His resolve has been equally important to the Wildcats, who have won games with an offense predicated on controlling the clock with the ball in his hands.

The Colorado native, who split time at receiver and quarterback earlier in his career, has more carries (293) than Arkansas’ top three running backs Dennis Johnson, Ronnie Wingo and Broderick Green (257). He has grinded out 1,099 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns this season.

“As the season progressed I was able to be a little bit smarter,” Klein said. “You can only run through so many brick walls and still be in one piece. But again, it’s whatever we need.

“If there’s a first down we need to get or if the goal line is close, all of those things factor into what the team needs at that time. Whatever we need to do to win I’m willing to do.”

The determination helped him keep going despite numerous aches and pains. There were periods this season when he spent more time in the training room than the practice field because of his nagging injuries, but continued to carry the load for the Wildcats whenever gameday arrived.

“We went into the Texas A&M game saying we’re going to have to not run Collin very much this game,” Kansas State co-offensive coordinator Dan Dimel said. “We’re just going to have to not do it. Then I remember in the locker room after the game we said well we only ran him 35 times today.

“By the time it was over he had 35 carries.”

Klein said the time off since the end of the regular season has been valuable, helping him heal up to prepare for the Razorbacks.

“Ready for another round,” Klein said.

So is Wilson, who also has earned plenty of compliments from Kansas State’s players and coaches this week because of his toughness.

Wilson joked the Wildcats can show their appreciation laying off the hits during the Cotton Bowl, a request he knows won’t come true. Instead, his toughness will be put to the test once again.

“I expect it to be no different than any other game,” Wilson said. “Every team that’s watched film on us, says, ‘Well, Tyler’s taken a few hits this year and we’re going to try to get to him as well,’” Wilson said. “I expect the same kind of mentality coming from them. I appreciate the compliment, but I expect them to come after me.”

Postseason Ticket
BCS No. 6 Arkansas (10-2, 6-2 in SEC) vs. BCS No. 8 Kansas State (10-2, 7-2 in Big 12)
What: 2012 Cotton Bowl
When: Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas
TV: Fox
Series Record: Kansas State leads 3-1
Last Meeting: Arkansas 28, Kansas State 7 in 1967