‘Galvanized’ K-State dominates
In six years at Kansas State, quarterback Skylar Thompson has seen highs and lows.
On Tuesday night in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, Thompson, returning from an ankle injury, made his 40th and final start as a Wildcat.
The Wildcats sent Thompson off a winner. Before an announced crowd of 52,207 at NRG Stadium, with purple the pervasive color among the fans, Thompson, along with running back Deuce Vaughn, propelled KState past short-handed LSU 4220.
“This was a big game for us, and to beat a good LSU team handily says a lot about our football team,” said Chris Klieman, who became only the second KSU head coach to win a bowl. “What a dominant performance. (We) were galvanized. We wanted to make a statement, and we wanted to play.”
Behind the aggressiveness of Collin Klein’s play-calling, KState (8-5) enjoyed its best offensive performance of the season. The Wildcats of the Big 12 enjoyed a 442-308 total yardage advantage over the Tigers, whose best option under the circumstances was to play senior wide receiver Jontre Kirklin at quarterback.
Kirklin, who managed to throw three touchdowns on only seven completions, was pressed into service in what is not his natural position because the Tigers were without an available scholarship quarterback. Max Johnson, LSU’s quarterback during the regular season, transferred to Texas A&M last month, leaving the Tigers without experience at the spot.
Due mainly to COVID, injuries and opt-outs, the Tigers had only 45 scholarship players on their depth chart. Freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not play, preserving his redshirt season.
LSU was at a competitive disadvantage with a thin roster. And Kansas State, which quickly built a three-touchdown lead, took advantage. Especially its backfield stars.
Coming back from injury for a second time this season, Thompson benefited from a month of bowl preparation, passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns against the depleted Tigers. Vaughn ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns, accounting for four TDs in all.
“A great way to go out,” said Thompson, named the game’s MVP. “Our program is built off discipline, commitment, toughness and being selfless.”
Added Klieman: “He wanted to play well in this bowl game — and he did.”
Kansas State won the opening coin toss and elected to go on offense because Klieman fancied Thompson having the ball in his hands.
“I can’t say enough about the resolve of our guys like Skylar, our offensive line, Deuce, our receivers,” Klieman said. “They just made plays against a talented defense.”
The Wildcats, who led 21-7 at halftime and by as many as 35 points with less than four minutes remaining, were 8-of-12 on third downs and converted both fourth-down plays. The Wildcats also controlled the clock for 32:22 in a low-possession game.
“We wanted to control the tempo and keep the defense on its heels,” Thompson said.
Neither team fumbled. Among his 11 attempts, Kirklin was picked off by Russ Yeast and Ross Elder, who had a game-high 11 tackles. Kirklin threw for 138 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown to Chris Hilton as the game ended. Kirklin was the Tigers’ leading rusher with 61 yards.
A longtime SEC power, LSU (6-7) is a team in transition, managing a coaching change under interim Brad Davis. Incoming head coach Brian Kelly, who will replace Ed Orgeron, was in attendance Tuesday observing and taking stock of his young players.
“The future at LSU is extremely bright, I can promise you,” Davis said. “Coach Kelly is going to take these kids to new heights.”
Thompson, who missed the Wildcats’ final game of the regular season with the injured left ankle, played like the seasoned veteran he is, hitting receivers on a variety of routes. He was 21of-28 passing.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in what Skylar can do,” Klieman said.
In jumping out to a commanding 21-0 lead in the first half, Thompson was 7-of-7 passing for 95 yards just on third- and fourth-down plays.
The Wildcats’ 18-play, nineminute, 16-second second-quarter touchdown drive set Texas Bowl records for number of plays and possession time. Kansas State ran 29 of the game’s first 32 plays from scrimmage.
“LSU is a team you watch growing up and to come out on top is big,” Vaughn said.
LSU didn’t pick up its initial first down until 5:34 to play in the second quarter on a 5-yard gain by Josh Williams on third-and 4.
A celebrated quarterback during his days at K-State, Klein made his debut as interim offensive coordinator to go with his duty as quarterbacks coach. He made sure Thompson and Vaughn were heavily involved in the offense. The pair teamed on a 2-yard scoring pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The 5-6 Vaughn rushed for 1,258 yards in this his sophomore season and made first-team AllAmerica at the all-purpose position.
“I think he’s the best player in college football,” Klieman said. “He’s a workhorse and he’s bigtime.”