K-State fans had a chance to see the Kansas State Wildcat football team practice, and then scrimmage for a short time on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The event was the Spring Showcase.

Coach Chris Klieman said the team approached it like a practice. “There were just more fans here. The fact that we were able to get our practice, get our work in, all the things. This is a normal practice for us. We just finished the practice rather than with a double rep team period with a little bit of a scrimmage at the end.”

Skylar Thompson three three touchdown passes in the scrimmage, and tight end Sammy Wheeler ended it with a one hand reception in a corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Klieman said during the spring Thompson improved in his awareness of the offense. “Just his awareness of our offense, his constant ability to learn more every day about what we’re doing offensively.” Klieman added he was “so impressed with the amount of information he ( Thompson ) was able to retain in a 15-day practice in the fact that we threw everything in the playbook at him.” Klieman added when the Wildcats return for the fall it will all be recall for Thompson.

Klieman also confirmed that linebacker, senior Justin Hughes, tore his ACL last week. “In my opinion in a short time around him heart and soul of our football team, kids love him, coaches love him. He’ll be back. He’s got an opportunity to get a medical hardship and he’s going to do that because he loves the game of football. ” Klieman confirmed Hughes will miss the 2019 season, but said he was confident Hughes would be back in 2020. Hughes played in 11 games and finished third on the team with 56 tackles to go along with seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season.

The Wildcats open the 2019 season when they host Nicholls on August 31st.