SE: Thompson Helps K-State Claim 42-35 Comeback Victory vs. TTU in Overtime
Nov 05, 2017 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
The chemistry between Skylar Thompson and Dalton Schoen started on K-State's scout team a year ago, but it played a large role in the Wildcats' come-from-behind, 42-35 overtime victory at Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.
Thompson, a redshirt freshman quarterback, connected with Schoen on a game-tying two-point conversion with 42 seconds left in regulation. The Wildcats' redshirt sophomore receiver, who lined up in the slot for the game-tying play, ran a short out route and immediately found the ball coming at him.
"It was a fantastic throw by Skylar, just a complete trust throw. He let it go before I was even out of my break," Schoen said. "I was just really proud of him with that throw. He put that on the money."
Again, this play goes back much further than last week's practice reps.
"I feel like Skylar and I have had some really great chemistry, going all the way back to last year when we were on scout team together," said Schoen, who finished with five catches for 103 yards. "I thought we did a fantastic job of finding holes in our starting defense a lot last year, so I think that chemistry grew and built in the spring and summer. It's definitely developed and continue to grow."
K-State's momentum continued to grow in overtime. With the ball to start off the extra period, the Wildcats scored on their fourth play when Thompson rifled a perfect ball to junior receiver Byron Pringle in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
"We always have confidence in Skylar," said Pringle, who reeled in six passes for 95 yards and two scores. "He came in around the same time as me and I saw his eyes, his work, his ability, so we always have confidence in Skylar."
Thompson, who finished 5-of-8 for 96 yards, stepped in for K-State because of an injury to Alex Delton for the second-straight week. Last week, he helped K-State stave off Kansas for a 30-20 victory. This time, however, Thompson led the Wildcats back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit.
"Skylar plays unlike a freshman. He plays with poise, and I appreciate that a great deal. He made some good choices," K-State head coach Bill Snyder said. "Overall, he made some nice throws, quite obviously, and they were pinpoint throws that you couldn't be off six inches and have the success that a couple of them had. He played very well."
Early in the fourth quarter with K-State down 35-24, Thompson engineered a 10-play, 53-yard drive that ended with Matthew McCrane converting a 30-yard field goal to pull within eight points. Thompson went 3-of-4 on the drive for 34 yards to put the Wildcats in scoring position.
"That kid is just a natural," said junior running back Dalvin Warmack, who had a 15-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. "Most kids in that situation, being only 20 years old, would feel a lot of pressure on their shoulders and stuff. But he just comes in there so calm and just executes."
While Thompson may have been labeled as a third-string quarterback to start the season, his play the last two weeks has proven just how deep the Wildcats are at the position.
"The way he practices and prepares and things like that, you know. Every week you would think he's starting," Warmack said. "We definitely don't (look at him like a third-stringer), especially with his ability and his composure and how he leads."
K-State (5-4, 3-3) returns home next Saturday to host West Virginia for the annual Fort Riley Day game.
The chemistry between Skylar Thompson and Dalton Schoen started on K-State's scout team a year ago, but it played a large role in the Wildcats' come-from-behind, 42-35 overtime victory at Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.
Thompson, a redshirt freshman quarterback, connected with Schoen on a game-tying two-point conversion with 42 seconds left in regulation. The Wildcats' redshirt sophomore receiver, who lined up in the slot for the game-tying play, ran a short out route and immediately found the ball coming at him.
"It was a fantastic throw by Skylar, just a complete trust throw. He let it go before I was even out of my break," Schoen said. "I was just really proud of him with that throw. He put that on the money."
To make the two-point conversion even possible, Thompson started the game-tying drive by evading a rush and hitting Schoen down the middle of the field for a 54-yard gain.???? Thompson ?? Schoen... tie ballgame. We're headed to OT!#KStateFB #EMAW pic.twitter.com/0zBDZThkE7
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) November 4, 2017
Again, this play goes back much further than last week's practice reps.
"I feel like Skylar and I have had some really great chemistry, going all the way back to last year when we were on scout team together," said Schoen, who finished with five catches for 103 yards. "I thought we did a fantastic job of finding holes in our starting defense a lot last year, so I think that chemistry grew and built in the spring and summer. It's definitely developed and continue to grow."
K-State's momentum continued to grow in overtime. With the ball to start off the extra period, the Wildcats scored on their fourth play when Thompson rifled a perfect ball to junior receiver Byron Pringle in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
????TOUCHDOWN! Wildcats strike first in OT on the pass from Thompson to Pringle. #KStateFB 42 - Texas Tech 35 pic.twitter.com/ztQ9V7BFxa
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) November 4, 2017
"We always have confidence in Skylar," said Pringle, who reeled in six passes for 95 yards and two scores. "He came in around the same time as me and I saw his eyes, his work, his ability, so we always have confidence in Skylar."
Thompson, who finished 5-of-8 for 96 yards, stepped in for K-State because of an injury to Alex Delton for the second-straight week. Last week, he helped K-State stave off Kansas for a 30-20 victory. This time, however, Thompson led the Wildcats back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit.
"Skylar plays unlike a freshman. He plays with poise, and I appreciate that a great deal. He made some good choices," K-State head coach Bill Snyder said. "Overall, he made some nice throws, quite obviously, and they were pinpoint throws that you couldn't be off six inches and have the success that a couple of them had. He played very well."
Early in the fourth quarter with K-State down 35-24, Thompson engineered a 10-play, 53-yard drive that ended with Matthew McCrane converting a 30-yard field goal to pull within eight points. Thompson went 3-of-4 on the drive for 34 yards to put the Wildcats in scoring position.
"That kid is just a natural," said junior running back Dalvin Warmack, who had a 15-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. "Most kids in that situation, being only 20 years old, would feel a lot of pressure on their shoulders and stuff. But he just comes in there so calm and just executes."
While Thompson may have been labeled as a third-string quarterback to start the season, his play the last two weeks has proven just how deep the Wildcats are at the position.
"The way he practices and prepares and things like that, you know. Every week you would think he's starting," Warmack said. "We definitely don't (look at him like a third-stringer), especially with his ability and his composure and how he leads."
K-State (5-4, 3-3) returns home next Saturday to host West Virginia for the annual Fort Riley Day game.
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