Kansas State senior quarterback Collin Klein has been named one of 15 finalists for the 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is given annually to college football’s best senior quarterback.

Klein joins fellow Big 12 senior signal callers Geno Smith of West Virginia, Landry Jones of Oklahoma and Nick Florence of Baylor on the list of finalists for the award, which goes to the quarterback who “encapsulates all that is positive in college sports by going beyond completion percentage and touchdowns to also value character, citizenship, integrity, and those who honor the game.”

The 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner will be announced December 7 at the award presentation in Baltimore, Md.

One of the most valuable players in all of college football, Klein has had a terrific start to the 2012 season. Klein, who is 16-4 as a starting quarterback, has thrown for 887 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing for 405 yards and seven more scores so far in 2012.

He also currently ranks first among all active quarterbacks and second among all players with 40 career rushing touchdowns, while Klein is also one of only four players in the history of the game to rush for 20 or more touchdowns and throw for 10 or more in the same season, joining three Heisman Trophy winners. Additionally, Klein has a nation-leading 13 games since 2011 with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown in a game.

No. 5 K-State travels to 25th-ranked Iowa State Saturday for a key Big 12 Conference matchup. Kickoff from Jack Trice Stadium is scheduled for 11:05 a.m., and the game will be televised nationally on FX.

— KSU Sports Information —