It only took five words, but Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson put the minds of K-State fans everywhere at ease at the pep rally for the TexAct Texas Bowl Monday afternoon in Houston.
By David Smale, Sports Radio 810 Contributor
When K-State play-by-play voice Wyatt Thompson asked him if he’s healthy, he said, “Yes I am, 100 percent.” The packed crowd erupted in applause, knowing that they’d see the sixth-year senior on the field one more time for the Wildcats.
Kansas State (7-5) will play Louisiana State (6-6) in the TexAct Texas Bowl Tuesday night at NRG Stadium.
Although Thompson is the all-time winningest quarterback in K-State history, he has missed time due to injury in each of the last two years, including two different stints this year. He was lost for the season last year in the third game of the season, but NCAA special COVID rules allowed everyone an extra year of eligibility and Thompson came back for one more shot.
He looked like he would be lost for the year when he pulled up with a non-contact right leg injury against Southern Illinois. But he came back for the game against Oklahoma, passing for 320 yards and three touchdowns against the Sooners. He played well over the next six games.
But he injured the other leg late in the game against Baylor and the Wildcats lost their last two games, against the Bears and at Texas. The Wildcats are not the same team without him. They’re 5-1 in games in which Thompson started and finished, and only 2-4 when he leaves early or misses the game altogether.
There was hope that the long wait between Nov. 20, the date of the Baylor game, and Tuesday would allow him time to heal.
“It’s been awesome,” QB1 said of the bowl preparation. “It’s given us an opportunity to spend a week together. Our whole senior class is cherishing every moment we get to spend time with our teammates.
“(Tuesday) is one more opportunity to wear purple and silver. Obviously, I’ve spent a lot of time here and made a lot of memories. This place has treated me so well. This is the most special team I’ve ever been a part of. We’re very close and that wasn’t built overnight. I’m looking forward to getting out there one more time and putting it altogether one more time.”