The Deseret News will be covering Saturday’s game between BYU and Kansas State live. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Final result
BYU 38, Kansas State 9
It won’t be hard for BYU fans to remember the night of September 21st.
The Cougars dominated No. 13 Kansas State 38-9 on Saturday night in Provo, starting 2024 4-0 and earning their first Big 12 win of the young season.
BYU shined in every phase of the game, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in a game for the first time since 1996.
In addition, Jay Hill’s defense did not allow a single touchdown for the second time this season.
Fourth quarter
BYU 38, Kansas State 9
12:02 – BYU goes one step further.
Sione Moa stormed forward, broke through several Kansas State tacklers and reached the end zone with a 21-yard touchdown run – his first point of his career. BYU 38, Kansas State 9.
Third quarter
BYU 31, Kansas State 9
5:12 – After 31 straight points from BYU, Kansas State scored again.
The Wildcats again failed to find the end zone, but they managed a third field goal that night, bringing them within 22 points. BYU 31, Kansas State 9.
10:45 – These cougars are unstoppable.
Even when Parker Kingston initially seemed to have trouble catching a Kansas State punt, he still managed to find the football – and then some – and score it on a 90-yard return touchdown that might bury the Wildcats for good. BYU 31, Kansas State 6.
Kingston’s punt heroics – which came just a week after Keelan Marion returned the second-half kickoff and scored a touchdown of his own – is BYU’s first since 2013 and the third-longest punt return in school history.
13:01 — The router may be active.
On the second play after Taggart’s interception, Jake Retzlaff fired a slant bullet to Darius Lassiter, who scored a 3-yard touchdown. BYU 24, Kansas State 6.
Lassiter’s goal came immediately after a 24-yard run by Sione Moa that brought the Cougars to the goal line.
13:54 – BYU’s defense just can’t stop making plays.
The Cougars secured their third consecutive possession with an interception by Harrison Taggart just one minute into the second half. BYU 17, Kansas State 6.
This interception was Taggart’s first of his college career and gave BYU the ball back at Kansas State’s 27-yard line.
Avery Johnson – who had thrown just one interception in his career before tonight – has now thrown two against the Cougars.
Halftime
BYU 17, Kansas State 6
That was a wild end to the half.
BYU trailed 6-3 with less than two minutes to play, but the defense took the lead with a scoop-and-score, an interception brought the ball back into Kansas State territory, and finally a 23-yard touchdown to Chase Roberts made the game a two-possession game.
To say the whiteout crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium is hysterical would be an understatement. Late night kickoffs in Provo can get crazy, but nothing like this ever happens.
The Wildcats have already achieved 124 rushing yards, but have yet to make an end zone kick and have had two turnovers.
Jake Retzlaff finished the half completing 11 of 16 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, earning a rating of 155.0. While the Cougars have only gained 10 yards on the ground so far, Retzlaff has already reached seven different receivers, including Roberts twice for a team-high 47 yards.
Kansas State kicks off the second half as BYU’s defense looks to continue its recent success.
Second quarter
BYU 17, Kansas State 6
0:29 – Now it’s BYU’s offense’s turn to play the hero.
Jake Retzlaff took advantage of the prime field position after the Batty interception and teamed up with Chase Roberts for a 23-yard touchdown to extend the Cougars’ lead. BYU 17, Kansas State 6.
0:57 – BYU’s defense strikes again.
Immediately after the touchdown by Prassas’ fumble recovery, Wildcats QB Avery Johnson tried to throw the ball away, but Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty made an improbable interception. BYU 10, Kansas State 6.
1:08 — BYU’s biggest defensive play of the year couldn’t have come at a better time.
On a crucial third down just before halftime, Jack Kelly forced a fumble that freshman safety Tommy Prassas picked up and returned for a touchdown to give the Cougars their first lead of the game. BYU 10, Kansas State 6.
2:10 – Will Ferrin puts the Cougars on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal. Kansas State 6, BYU 3.
BYU had moved the ball to Kansas State’s 13-yard line, but Jake Retzlaff lost 12 yards on a sack, thwarting the promising drive.
Even though the sack came at the wrong time, Retzlaff still completed 10 of 15 passes for 102 yards and a rating of 123.8 on the night after making a couple of impressive throws to Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter before the field goal.
9:07 – The Wildcats extend their lead with another field goal. Kansas State 6, BYU 0.
Kansas State again relied heavily on its running game, extending the attack to 16 plays and 87 yards over a span of more than eight minutes, but the Cougars managed another late stop to force the field goal attempt and keep their offense in the contest.
The Wildcats now have 13:41 minutes on the clock after a 117-yard run, while BYU now hopes for its first point of the game.
First quarter
Kansas State 3, BYU 0
8:02 – Kansas State strikes first.
The Wildcats capped a 12-play, 53-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal by Chris Tennant to open the scoring of the evening. Kansas State 3, BYU 0.
BYU’s defense struggled to stop the run at first, but was unable to allow more than three points toward the end of the drive.
How to watch the game
The late-night duel between BYU and Kansas State will be broadcast on ESPN and can also be streamed via the ESPN app.
Game preparation
Here are a few stories to prepare you for BYU’s game against Kansas State.
