Backup Thompson Leads Kansas State to OT Win Over Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Third-stringer Skylar Thompson threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Byron Pringle in overtime and Kansas State defeated Texas Tech 42-35 on Saturday.

After the Wildcats' OT score, Red Raiders QB Nic Shimonek threw out of the end zone on fourth-and-4.

The Wildcats (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) trailed in the final minute of regulation. But Dalton Schoen caught a two-point conversion pass from Thompson with 42 seconds to play following Thompson's successful dive on second-and-goal from the 1. Kansas State had trailed for the previous 19:18 after blowing a 24-21 advantage.

Thompson, a redshirt freshman who replaced Alex Delton after a helmet-to-helmet hit late in the first half, played the final 30 minutes and finished 5 of 8 for 96 yards passing and the touchdown. Delton started the prior three games for Jesse Ertz, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

Trailing 17-14 at halftime, Shimonek threw third-quarter scores to Keke Coutee and Dylan Cantrell of 34 yards and 1 yard, respectively, but he also threw a 25-yard pick-6 to cornerback Duke Shelley. Cantrell's catch gave the Red Raiders a lead of 28-24 and came a split-second after Shimonek shook off blitzing defensive end Reggie Walker.

Texas Tech added a 22-yard touchdown reception from T.J. Vasher in the fourth quarter and Kansas State mustered a 30-yard field goal by Matthew McCrane ahead of tying the game.

Kansas State's first-half lead could have been larger.

D.J. Reed's punt return of more than 80 yards for a touchdown was initially negated by a holding call and, subsequently, Colby Moore's targeting infraction on the play after video review.

That wasn't the first time the Wildcats offense cancelled a scoring play. Delton's 14-yard throw to Winston Dimel was called back, but Delton connected with Pringle the next snap for a short-lived 17-7 lead.

Down 28-24 late in the third quarter, Thompson later threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Zuber that was whistled back after Zuber drifted out of bounds before coming back in for the catch. Kansas State punted the next play.

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