D
Derek Young
Guest
OFFENSE
It was another game where the play calling on the offensive side of the ball can surely be questioned. The Wildcats had barely any success moving the ball at all. Kansas State lead at halftime 7-6 but was out-gained in terms of yardage 191-53. Ouch. Their lone scoring drive in the first half was an 8-play, 31-yard drive that took 5:11 off the clock. It’s lackluster and impressive all at the same time.
They were hesitant to attack downfield with the passing game for whatever reason. Was Skylar Thompson a bit banged up? It sure seemed like it. They didn’t call too many plays that showcased his arm and he seemed hesitant to force it downfield as well. We had also heard earlier in the week that Thompson was dealing with a hip issue. The two first half throws that were farther in distance and more of a challenge were nearly intercepted.
K-State had 12 yards passing in the first half, and less than 100 for most of the game, against the nation’s 124th best pass defense in terms of completion percentage and 94 in the country in pass defense efficiency.
All in all, it is probably a predictable game from the average college football fan’s standpoint. It was two programs known for being tough, physical and programs with a preference of being conservative. There were no turnovers. It was a clean game in that way and conservative play-calling and low-scoring. It was the type of Big 12 game you’d normally expect from Iowa State at Kansas State.
As Jeff pointed out at halftime, there seemed to be more purpose behind what Iowa State was calling as an offense in comparison to K-State. When the Cyclones went with the ‘Wildcat’ formation, it was with Joel Lanning and in short-yardage situations. They knew who they were using and the situation that it would be implemented.
That was not the case for Kansas State. It seemed more like confusion and chaos. There was no rhyme or reason to who would be used in the formation and in what situations. Perhaps it was just when they wanted to run the QB-run game to have an extra blocker but afraid to use Skylar Thompson since he was the only healthy quarterback under scholarship.
The struggles on third and fourth down continued for the Wildcats. Oh my, there was little efficiency and the play-calling was rough. The most damning of them all was the play-call from Dana Dimel on 4th and 2 in the second half. They kept Thompson in the game at quarterback, instead of going ‘Wildcat’ formation this time, and tried to run him right where everyone in the stadium knew they would. So, not only was it predictable in terms of play and direction, but they did it with a quarterback that is not overly elusive and a bit dinged up. It just spells trouble all the way around.
To be fair, they did add some creativity later in the game, especially on the touchdown ‘pop pass’ from Alex Barnes to Winston Dimel inside the 10. Another way of looking at it is the concern that you have to empty the playbook so much to be able to score or move the ball at all against the Cyclones. That’s a scary thought.
Kansas State began to move the ball once they let Thompson let it rip a bit in the fourth quarter. Sure, guys were getting open more, but they were also delivering the ball downfield and attacking some vulnerabilities that Iowa State has had and shown all year. It allowed them to drive to make it 19-14, and then it allowed them to drive the ball the length of the field to set up an opportunity for the winning score at the end of the game.
Again, we hope folks are beginning to appreciate what they could have in Skylar Thompson. It was an ugly game. He wasn’t playing his best football, he was hurt, and his teammates weren’t helping him out a ton and his coaches were not setting him up for success. But he still shows the poise, that Bill Snyder loves, and the knack for rising to the occasion and getting his teammates to respond just at the time he needs them.
His awareness is improving, avoiding any and all delay of the game penalties, making checks himself at the line of scrimmage, being able to extend plays while keeping his head up and looking downfield for plays just like the game-winner to Isaiah Zuber.
He’s now engineered game-winning come-from-behind drives against Texas Tech in Lubbock and at home against Iowa State. He also lead the Wildcats to a win over a top 10 team on the road when they beat Oklahoma State in Stillwater. He’s doing all this as just a redshirt freshman. He just rises to the occasion.
DEFENSE
They were on the field a ton in this game because of the offense’s inability to sustain drives. They also don’t get off the field quick themselves, which exacerbates the problem, but considering all that, this group deserves some praise. They were undermanned once again and played a whale of a ball game when considering the disadvantages.
Reggie Walker did not play and the reason why is unclear. Boom Massie got the start at defensive end and Chase Johnston played at the spot as well, along with Kyle Ball. Walter Neil, D.J. Reed, Kendall Adams and A.J. Parker were all out in the secondary. Eli Walker started at safety and Jonathan Durham got the nod at cornerback.
Walker was his aggressive self on the football field. He was anxious, played downhill and delivered some shots, and brought the kind of game and skill-set we anticipated. He also did not have the critical mistake that new starters tend to have in the secondary. That is commendable. Durham also had a strong performance. There was only one missed tackle from him that I remember and he was not tested very often in coverage, but when he was, he delivered for the most part.
I don’t think you can ask for anything more than you got from Durham. He did what was needed and deserves praise as well.
The pass rush was probably better tonight than it has been all season. Honestly, it has been better the last three games than at any other points of the year. That is when Boom Massie has been inserted in the lineup. Is it a coincidence? Probably not.
Also, it deserves to be mentioned, that Kansas State was the benefactor of some officiating in this one, believe it or not. Matt Campbell had to be beside himself that three separate flags on the Wildcat offense were picked up. The Cyclones were also incapable of run-blocking without committing a penalty. Also, shout out to Sean Snyder for his unsportsmanlike penalty. That kind of fire and intensity is appreciated.
It was another solid game from the linebackers, particularly Trent Tanking and Jayd Kirby. Our very own Jeff Martin anticipated that one so kudos to him for that call. Elijah Sullivan and Denzel Goolsby delivered some big hits as well.
The one knock on the defense was in third down situations. The Cyclones were 9/16 and that kept KSU from getting off the field when they needed to, and that is probably the only large gripe one should have with the Kansas State defense on this night.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Again, not a whole lot to write for this element. This wasn’t their best performance. McCrane launched a kickoff out of bounds, a strong return from Byron Pringle was called back due to holding and Sam Sizelove was penalize for running into the punter. However, there were some good things. There were a couple solid returns from Dominique Heath and Tyler Burns had an elite game in coverage on kickoffs and punts.
CONCLUSION
Wow. What a way to end the regular season. It was not pretty. They still failed to meet expectations on the season. But they did finish the slate winning four of their last five and have found a clutch performer, great leader and a terrific arm in quarterback Skylar Thompson. He has that ‘it’ factor. Jeff Martin calls him ‘The Natural’ and Bill Snyder calls him great for his poise. Whatever it is that he has and possesses that can’t be explained, it’s going to win Kansas State a lot of games in the future.
Even when he doesn’t have his best game, even when he doesn’t have help, even when put in rocky situations, he finds a way to pull it out. The comebacks against Texas Tech and Iowa State from a freshman are unheard of.
It was another game where the play calling on the offensive side of the ball can surely be questioned. The Wildcats had barely any success moving the ball at all. Kansas State lead at halftime 7-6 but was out-gained in terms of yardage 191-53. Ouch. Their lone scoring drive in the first half was an 8-play, 31-yard drive that took 5:11 off the clock. It’s lackluster and impressive all at the same time.
They were hesitant to attack downfield with the passing game for whatever reason. Was Skylar Thompson a bit banged up? It sure seemed like it. They didn’t call too many plays that showcased his arm and he seemed hesitant to force it downfield as well. We had also heard earlier in the week that Thompson was dealing with a hip issue. The two first half throws that were farther in distance and more of a challenge were nearly intercepted.
K-State had 12 yards passing in the first half, and less than 100 for most of the game, against the nation’s 124th best pass defense in terms of completion percentage and 94 in the country in pass defense efficiency.
All in all, it is probably a predictable game from the average college football fan’s standpoint. It was two programs known for being tough, physical and programs with a preference of being conservative. There were no turnovers. It was a clean game in that way and conservative play-calling and low-scoring. It was the type of Big 12 game you’d normally expect from Iowa State at Kansas State.
As Jeff pointed out at halftime, there seemed to be more purpose behind what Iowa State was calling as an offense in comparison to K-State. When the Cyclones went with the ‘Wildcat’ formation, it was with Joel Lanning and in short-yardage situations. They knew who they were using and the situation that it would be implemented.
That was not the case for Kansas State. It seemed more like confusion and chaos. There was no rhyme or reason to who would be used in the formation and in what situations. Perhaps it was just when they wanted to run the QB-run game to have an extra blocker but afraid to use Skylar Thompson since he was the only healthy quarterback under scholarship.
The struggles on third and fourth down continued for the Wildcats. Oh my, there was little efficiency and the play-calling was rough. The most damning of them all was the play-call from Dana Dimel on 4th and 2 in the second half. They kept Thompson in the game at quarterback, instead of going ‘Wildcat’ formation this time, and tried to run him right where everyone in the stadium knew they would. So, not only was it predictable in terms of play and direction, but they did it with a quarterback that is not overly elusive and a bit dinged up. It just spells trouble all the way around.
To be fair, they did add some creativity later in the game, especially on the touchdown ‘pop pass’ from Alex Barnes to Winston Dimel inside the 10. Another way of looking at it is the concern that you have to empty the playbook so much to be able to score or move the ball at all against the Cyclones. That’s a scary thought.
Kansas State began to move the ball once they let Thompson let it rip a bit in the fourth quarter. Sure, guys were getting open more, but they were also delivering the ball downfield and attacking some vulnerabilities that Iowa State has had and shown all year. It allowed them to drive to make it 19-14, and then it allowed them to drive the ball the length of the field to set up an opportunity for the winning score at the end of the game.
Again, we hope folks are beginning to appreciate what they could have in Skylar Thompson. It was an ugly game. He wasn’t playing his best football, he was hurt, and his teammates weren’t helping him out a ton and his coaches were not setting him up for success. But he still shows the poise, that Bill Snyder loves, and the knack for rising to the occasion and getting his teammates to respond just at the time he needs them.
His awareness is improving, avoiding any and all delay of the game penalties, making checks himself at the line of scrimmage, being able to extend plays while keeping his head up and looking downfield for plays just like the game-winner to Isaiah Zuber.
He’s now engineered game-winning come-from-behind drives against Texas Tech in Lubbock and at home against Iowa State. He also lead the Wildcats to a win over a top 10 team on the road when they beat Oklahoma State in Stillwater. He’s doing all this as just a redshirt freshman. He just rises to the occasion.
DEFENSE
They were on the field a ton in this game because of the offense’s inability to sustain drives. They also don’t get off the field quick themselves, which exacerbates the problem, but considering all that, this group deserves some praise. They were undermanned once again and played a whale of a ball game when considering the disadvantages.
Reggie Walker did not play and the reason why is unclear. Boom Massie got the start at defensive end and Chase Johnston played at the spot as well, along with Kyle Ball. Walter Neil, D.J. Reed, Kendall Adams and A.J. Parker were all out in the secondary. Eli Walker started at safety and Jonathan Durham got the nod at cornerback.
Walker was his aggressive self on the football field. He was anxious, played downhill and delivered some shots, and brought the kind of game and skill-set we anticipated. He also did not have the critical mistake that new starters tend to have in the secondary. That is commendable. Durham also had a strong performance. There was only one missed tackle from him that I remember and he was not tested very often in coverage, but when he was, he delivered for the most part.
I don’t think you can ask for anything more than you got from Durham. He did what was needed and deserves praise as well.
The pass rush was probably better tonight than it has been all season. Honestly, it has been better the last three games than at any other points of the year. That is when Boom Massie has been inserted in the lineup. Is it a coincidence? Probably not.
Also, it deserves to be mentioned, that Kansas State was the benefactor of some officiating in this one, believe it or not. Matt Campbell had to be beside himself that three separate flags on the Wildcat offense were picked up. The Cyclones were also incapable of run-blocking without committing a penalty. Also, shout out to Sean Snyder for his unsportsmanlike penalty. That kind of fire and intensity is appreciated.
It was another solid game from the linebackers, particularly Trent Tanking and Jayd Kirby. Our very own Jeff Martin anticipated that one so kudos to him for that call. Elijah Sullivan and Denzel Goolsby delivered some big hits as well.
The one knock on the defense was in third down situations. The Cyclones were 9/16 and that kept KSU from getting off the field when they needed to, and that is probably the only large gripe one should have with the Kansas State defense on this night.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Again, not a whole lot to write for this element. This wasn’t their best performance. McCrane launched a kickoff out of bounds, a strong return from Byron Pringle was called back due to holding and Sam Sizelove was penalize for running into the punter. However, there were some good things. There were a couple solid returns from Dominique Heath and Tyler Burns had an elite game in coverage on kickoffs and punts.
CONCLUSION
Wow. What a way to end the regular season. It was not pretty. They still failed to meet expectations on the season. But they did finish the slate winning four of their last five and have found a clutch performer, great leader and a terrific arm in quarterback Skylar Thompson. He has that ‘it’ factor. Jeff Martin calls him ‘The Natural’ and Bill Snyder calls him great for his poise. Whatever it is that he has and possesses that can’t be explained, it’s going to win Kansas State a lot of games in the future.
Even when he doesn’t have his best game, even when he doesn’t have help, even when put in rocky situations, he finds a way to pull it out. The comebacks against Texas Tech and Iowa State from a freshman are unheard of.
