Klein's growth has been 'fun' to watch

AMES - When asked what Iowa State linebacker has improved the most this season, Cyclone  Coach Paul Rhoads immediately answered.

“A.J. Klein,” said Rhoads, whose team hopes to stage a monumental upset Friday at 7 p.m. against No. 2 Oklahoma State at Jack Trice Stadium.

Why?

ISU already fields a Chuck Bednarik Award candidate at linebacker in Jake Knott, who led the Big 12 in tackles last season and is ranked a respectable 43rd nationally at 8.9 stops per game in 2011 - despite playing through myriad injuries.

Thus, Klein has needed to improve rapidly, given Knott's “walking wounded” status.

He and fellow linebacker Matt Tau ‘fo ‘ou have done that, Rhoads said, by continuing to master the techniques and tactics inherent in defensive coordinator Wally Burnham's system.

“The knowledge they've gained through experience really shows in their play,” Rhoads said.

Knott and Klein rank among the top 11 in the Big 12 in tackles. Both have one interception this season - and Klein returned his for a touchdown, marking the third time in his career he'd turned a pick into six points, an ISU record.

And both will tell you being good doesn't make their goal chart.

“It's not good enough,” said Klein, who ranks among the Cyclones' top two in four defensive categories, including a team-leading 6.5 tackles for loss. “Because that's our mentality. We want to be the best prepared group of linebackers in the Big 12 and for any mistake that happens during a game or on a Saturday we have to come back in and fix it obviously. We take pride in fixing our mistakes and doing things correctly.”

ISU's performance against the Cowboys must border on perfection Friday - from the linebackers to all segments of the defense.

Oklahoma State has racked up at least 420 yards of offense in every game this season, while scoring 38 or more points all but once.

“It's hard to change and blitz against that offense,” Klein said.

But Klein has altered his game for the better ever since Knott sustained a dislocated shoulder in the Oct. 8 loss at Baylor.

“It's really been fun to watch his development this season, especially with what he's had to pick up with Jake being as injured as he has been,” Rhoads said.

Rhoads noted a linebacker truly becomes special once he learns to avoid blockers and make plays in space - and he's seen that quality emerge in Klein.

“I think the light went on with A.J. this year in those things I talked about,” Rhoads said. “As opposed to ripping into a lineman, he beats him with speed and rips by him and make tackles at the line of scrimmage, or on their side of the line of scrimmage.”

It helps to remain spry and healthy, beyond the requisite aches, sprains and bruises that accompany the game.

It's also beneficial to build camaraderie at the position, something all three starters have done - from food, to films to golf outings.

“We all get together, even off the field,” Klein said. “We're always doing stuff.”

Another 50K?

ISU passed the 50,000 tickets sold mark for the record-extending sixth time this season on Wednesday.

Before this season, the Cyclones had never hosted more than four crowds of 50,000 or more in a single season.