Cactus Bowl 2017: 3 players the UCLA Football team must handle

College football is the greatest team sport in the world but more often than not there are a handful of game breakers on each team. The Kansas State football team is no exception. Here are three players the UCLA Football Bruins will have to pay extra attention to when they face the Wildcats in the 2017 Cactus Bowl.

A Cactus Bowl bid wasn’t the tier of bowl that the UCLA Football team had in mind when 2017. With the return of first round talent Josh Rosen at QB and a promising new set of offensive coaches there was a small hope that this team would at least be able to challenge the top teams in the PAC-12 and maybe even surprise with some unforeseen victories.

It wasn’t the offense that was a problem though and the defensive issues really put this squad behind the eight ball in games. That forced UCLA into a shootout no matter who the opponent was which obviously isn’t the ideal situation. Rosen gave the Bruins a chance in every game he played in this season but it’s the reason why he’s missed time that might cost him this bowl game.

Rosen is still in concussion protocol following leaving the regular season finale against Cal. He could play or the coaching staff might decide it isn’t worth the risk to his health or the health of his draft stock. But we aren’t here to talk about if Rosen should play So without any further delay here are three KSU Wildcats that need to be on my, yours, and the UCLA Football coach’s radar come Tuesday.

Will Geary-DT

It only makes sense that we start up front for this piece. The UCLA Football offensive line has been much improved this season especially in the interior which is good because they’re going to be tested early and often by Kansas State’s best defensive line player in Geary. Listed at six feet and 306 pounds, Geary’s size doesn’t scream “imposing” or “commands double teams” and if all we looked at was the roster we’d be dead wrong.

Geary is a fantastic user of his hands and uses them often to swim past interior offensive linemen. That coupled with his quickness off the line and you have the makings of a guy who can wreck a play before it even really starts to develop. While he can struggle with double teams, he’s often too quick to allow double teams to take place. If the Bruins plan to block him with just one guy they had better get the ball out quickly or Geary is going to be in the backfield all day.

Skylar Thompson-QB

We’ve touched on the talent that this young freshman QB possesses in our special bowl editions of “Know Your Opponent” and while it might seem obvious or easy to put a QB into this conversation Thompson has earned the attention of defensive coordinators. After going from third string to starting QB for the Wildcats, Thompson came in to win the Texas Tech game and then went 2-1 as a starter including consecutive victories against Oklahoma State and Iowa State respectively.

While his passing skillset could use some work (consistent accuracy, mechanics), he’s a dangerous runner capable of making plenty out of nothing with his legs. Running QBs have given the UCLA Football defense fits all year long but they really find themselves in binds with QBs who can throw and run. While I mentioned that Thompson isn’t exactly the perfect passer yet he still can spread it around especially when defenders get caught looking in the backfield. How will the Bruins try to defend him? They’ve used 3-4 looks before to try and keep athletic QBs from breaking containment but given that the Bruins are without former LB coach Scott White and former DB coach Demetrice Martin, what can we expect the gameplan to look like?

If the Bruins can’t force some defensive stops and allow Thompson to settle in as far as being able to make plays with both his legs and arm then this UCLA team could be in for a very long day. Keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to make spot on throws will be the best way to deal with this young, exciting player from the Big-12.

Byron Pringle-WR

One guy that has really benefited from Thompson’s ability to create with his legs and make downfield throws is Pringle. The former junior college transfer has amassed 1,336 yards and 12 scores in the past two seasons for the Wildcats. Two of those scores came as a returner.

Measuring in at six-foot-two and 205 pounds with big time long speed, Pringle has been able to make the most of his 28 catches with a 25 yard per catch average. He isn’t the most polished route runner and will round off his routes at the top of the stem but it’s his ability to take the top off that makes him so dangerous. While he isn’t just a deep threat, the fear that his speed puts into defensive backfields mean he’s going to see plenty of cushion from DBs. The UCLA Football DB group is very talented and has the pieces to keep him in check by pressing him and shading safety help over the top but Pringle doesn’t just do his damage outwide.

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As a kick returner, he’s just as dangerous and might even be able to do more damage against the Bruins in the special teams portion of the game. UCLA has had poor special teams production all season long and if I were Pringle, who already has one kickoff for a score this year, I’d be itching at the chance to take a shot at a UCLA Football team that ranks 96 in terms of special teams efficiency. Oh and by the way, KSU ranks at the top. Not near the top. They’re the best in FBS.