K-State opens the Chris Klieman era with a victory

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

The Kansas State Wildcats compiled 426 yards of total offense including 214 on the ground from the combination of three new running backs and quarterback Skylar Thompson, enroute to a 49-14 victory over Nicholls State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

The win came in the opening game of the coach Chris Klieman era at Kansas State. He succeeded Bill Snyder, who retired following the 2018 season.

Skylar Thompson had a big game with 174 yards passing and one rushing touchdown. “I just managed the game well. I took what the defense gave me and never forced anything.” Thompson felt this was his best performance as a Wildcat. “Yes. One hundred percent. I have never felt like that walking off the field before here. Just the feeling of having fun and I just have not felt like that. ” Thompson added he wasn’t saying that he never had fun but called the performance against Nicholls, “just special.”

The K-State quarterback added that he played well but there things that he ” can get better at and learn from.” He also credited the strong performance by the offensive line, and said “They played tremendous. Our O-Line did a great job today. Our running backs ran the ball well but without the guys up-front opening up holes for them, it’s gonna be a tough time running the ball. Our front guys did a great job today.

K-State led 28-0 at halftime and never trailed in the game.

Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman said the Wildcats beat a good Nicholls State football team. On Thompson’s performance, Klieman stated, “Great performance. He’s a stud. He’s a winner.

Leading the way for the Wildcat running backs was the graduate transfer from Ball State, James Gilbert. He rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Harry Trotter rushed for 50 yards and Jordon Brown for 49 yards with both scoring a touchdown.

Attendance for the game was 51,189. The game was three hours and three minutes long.

Kansas State ( 1-0 ) will host Bowling Green ( 1-0 ) next Saturday. Bowling Green opened their season with a 46-3 win over Morgan State this past Thursday night.