First look: UCLA vs. Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl

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Kansas State running back Alex Barnes (34) takes a handoff from quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) during the first half against Iowa State. (Orlin Wagner/AP)

UCLA (6-6) vs. Kansas State (7-5)
Tuesday, Dec. 26 |6 p.m. PT | Chase Field, Phoenix
TV: ESPN
Radio: AM 570/AM 1150

Scouting report

While UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen’s collegiate career could only have one more game left, Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson’s is just getting started.

After starting the year as the third-string quarterback, the redshirt freshman led the Wildcats to four wins in their final five games. The dual-threat signal-caller is already developing a reputation for late-game heroics:

  • He ran in a game-sealing touchdown against Kansas with 1:21 to go as K-State won 30-20
  • He threw the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Texas Tech (42-35)
  • He led an 87-yard touchdown drive in less than two minutes, capped off by a 1-yard pass with no time left, to beat Iowa State 20-19 in the regular-season finale.

For good measure, Thompson also threw three touchdowns in an upset over No. 10 Oklahoma State, all to junior receiver Byron Pringle, whose 25.2 yards per reception leads the country.

Kansas State’s 186.7 rushing yards per game ranks second in the Big 12, but the Wildcats’ leading rusher Alex Barnes averages only 58.5 yards per game. Thompson is a running threat at quarterback and averages 4.1 yards per rush.

On defense, the Wildcats are stout up front with the 20th-best rushing defense in the country, allowing 121.8 yards per game. The line is anchored by senior defensive tackle Will Geary, who was a first-team All-Big-12 selection. D.J. Reed, another first-team all-conference player, leads the secondary with four interceptions.

Series history

Paul Perkins starred in UCLA’s 40-35 Alamo Bowl victory over Kansas State in 2015, rushing for a then-career-high 194 yards and securing the crucial on-side kick attempt in the final minute to stave off K-State’s comeback attempt.

The Bruins nearly squandered a 31-6 halftime lead. The Wildcats responded out of the break with 14 straight points. UCLA committed an Alamo-Bowl record 15 penalties for 128 yards.

A 29-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Lockett, one of three for the receiver on the day, brought K-State to within one score with 1:21 to go, but Perkins covered up the onside kick. While UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley was taking a knee to kill the clock, a Kansas State player dove over the line, which prompted a terse postgame handshake between then-UCLA head coach Jim Mora and his Kansas State counterpart Bill Snyder.

Hundley threw for 136 yards and three touchdowns with 96 rushing yards. The Bruins ran for 331 yards in what is their most recent bowl victory.

UCLA leads the all-time series 2-1.

Players to watch

— QB Skylar Thompson (48-76, 662 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs)

Thompson was the No. 7 dual-threat in his recruiting class, according to Rivals. He has 316 rushing yards on 64 carries this season with three touchdowns on the ground.

— WR Isaiah Zuber (51 catches, 510 yards, 4 TDs)

K-State’s leading receiver caught the game-winning touchdown against Iowa State. The 6-foot sophomore tied his career high with seven catches against the Cyclones.

— DL Will Geary (43 tackles, 9 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) 

A Pro Football Focus first-team All-American, Geary had 34 total quarterback pressures this season, according to the stats website, the most among Big 12 draft-eligible interior defenders. He began his career as a walk-on and was named first-team All-Big-12 this year.