UCLA Football: 5 bold predictions for Cactus Bowl vs. Kansas State
By Zach Bigalke
3. Skylar Thompson will have another big day for the Wildcats
Devon Modster won’t be the only backup quarterback trying to have a big day on Boxing Day. Kansas State lost Jesse Ertz earlier in the season against Texas. Backup quarterback Alex Delton missed the final three games of the season. That left third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson to pick up the pieces and get Kansas State to bowl eligibility.
The freshman came through with flying colors. In his three starts to close out the regular season, Thompson had a rough first day in a 28-23 loss to West Virginia. But he rebounded to compete more than 70 percent of his passes in upsets over Oklahoma State and Iowa State.
Like the other Kansas State quarterbacks, Thompson was called upon to both run and pass the ball. But unlike either Ertz or Delton, Thompson was far more accurate with his throws. Looking far more veteran than his underclassman status, Thompson will have a chance to put up some big numbers against a UCLA defense that suffered the loss of a lot of talent from 2016.
Look for Thompson to put up at least 250 passing yards and 100 rushing yards as he keeps pace with Modster in the battle of freshman quarterbacks. He will account for at least three total touchdowns.