Kansas State Football: Several lingering issues in loss to West Virginia

MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Snyder of the Kansas State Wildcats talks with an official during the first half against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Snyder of the Kansas State Wildcats talks with an official during the first half against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Kansas State Wildcats place kicker Blake Lynch (10) and Kansas State Wildcats holder Colby Moore (19)  (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas State Wildcats place kicker Blake Lynch (10) and Kansas State Wildcats holder Colby Moore (19)  (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

That brings us to Saturday in Morgantown. Starting quarterback Skyar Thompson is an athletic quarterback with an arm better than many that have come before him.

He can move with the football in his hands, but being a great runner isn’t exactly how he’s defined. Yet again, the Cats continue to ask Thompson to carry the football. With an offensive line that, quite frankly, has been a disappointment all season.

"“How do I think Skylar played?” Snyder said. “Not as well as he is capable.” -Quote courtesy of Kellis Robinett of The Wichita Eagle"

The coaching staff, instead of allowing Thompson to do what he does best, which is be a passer, the staff continues to ask him to do things that are not his strengths. Let’s be honest, after the most recent game, it’s hard to imagine anyone being a power runner on this team during this season.

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Perhaps the most perplexing part of the day are the post game comments from the head coach Bill Snyder himself. Before we get to the quote, here are the stats for both starting quarterback Skylar Thompson and backup Alex Delton. I will let you choose who was the better player.

Option A: 7/12 82 yards 0 TD 0 INT 8 Rushes 28 Yards (Pro Football Focus Grade: 54.8)

Option B:  11/17 145 yards 0 TD O INT 12 Rushes 18 Yards (Pro Football Focus Grade: 60.9)

The point is, neither signal caller blew the doors off the stadium but neither did either quarterback do anything in specific to lose the game either.

"“I thought Alex played extremely well,” Snyder said."

Snyder was complimentary of Option A: Alex Delton. Despite grading out worse than Thompson while playing against, we’ll say, prevent a big play defense, Delton lead the Cats to drives that combined for three points. Thompson was able to accomplish the same against defenses that did things like blitz, and actually, well, try.