‘The most meaningful game of my career’: Why Texas Bowl matters for Skylar Thompson
Just in case there was any doubt about his dedication to the Kansas State football team or his desire to end his decorated college career with a victory, Skylar Thompson wants the world to know how much playing one final game for the Wildcats at the Texas Bowl means to him.
“It’s probably the most meaningful game of my career,” Thompson said. “There is no probably. It is. It’s been a good year. It’s been a successful year for us. For my entire career here to be coming to an end in a very good atmosphere in a very good game versus a very good opponent ... I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
So much so, that he never considered “opting out” of Tuesday’s game against LSU like other seniors across the country with NFL aspirations have this postseason.
“No, absolutely not,” Thompson said. “That never crossed my mind. In a million years it never would have.”
Thompson is clearly not one of those people who considers bowl games to be meaningless exhibitions. The “super senior” quarterback views the Texas Bowl as a culmination of his long college career, and as an opportunity for him to go out in style.
There are few things Thompson hasn’t accomplished in a K-State football uniform. He has started more games (39) than any quarterback in school history. He has won more games (23) as a starter than any quarterback in school history. He beat Oklahoma twice. And he is one of the few players in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards as both a passer (6,875) and as a runner (1,077).
K-State fans have been watching Thompson throw touchdown passes for so long that five new bowl games have been created since he first arrived on campus in 2016.
But he has never led the Wildcats to victory in a bowl. He started for K-State when it won the 2017 Cactus Bowl, but Alex Delton replaced Thompson and won offensive MVP honors. His only other bowl appearance was a loss to Navy at the 2019 Liberty Bowl.
This is a rare opportunity for Thompson to accomplish something new.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons why he pushed himself hard to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against Baylor in November so he could play in this game, rather than take a more relaxed approach and focus on impressing NFL scouts at the East/West Shrine Game in February.
“I feel the healthiest I’ve felt in a very long time, having some time off here,” Thompson said. “I just feel mentally in a good spot. I know I have given it everything, every ounce of myself to this program and this university. I’m just trying to focus on the little things and enjoy the little moments in this process, because I know it’s coming to an end. That being said, I came down here to win.”
K-State tends to play its best when Thompson is healthy.
His return to the huddle should serve as a boost to the Wildcats’ offense. It might also be a motivating factor for players, as several teammates have said they want to send Thompson out the right way.
Interim K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein says there isn’t enough time in the day for him to explain what Thompson means to the team.
“He’s a phenomenal young man,” Klein said. “His maturity, his toughness, his consistency and working with him every day has been great. He has impacted me as much as I hope I have impacted him. He’s a special one.”
It will be interesting to see how K-State evolves on offense after Thompson plays his final game.
Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez seems like the heir apparent at quarterback, but returning passers Will Howard, Jaren Lewis and Jake Rubley will also compete for the starting gig in 2022. K-State also needs to hire a full-time offensive coordinator.
But all those things can wait a few more days. The Wildcats get one more game with Thompson first. It will mean a great deal to him.
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 11:28 AM.