BYU dominates #13 Kansas State, 38-9

PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – If there was any question if this BYU team was for real after a 3-0 start against some weaker opponents, the Cougars answered those questions Saturday night against #13 Kansas State.

The Cougars dominated the Wildcats, 38-9, behind an incredible defensive effort that held the high-powered Wildcats out of the end zone.

BYU scored on offense, defense and special teams in route to one of its most impressive all-around performances in recent history.

“I think we showed that we can play,” head coach Kalani Sitake said. “The question was, ‘what kind of team is this?’ I think there are a lot of unknowns. Maybe people know a little bit more now.”

“A lot of people were surprised by this outcome,” said running back Sione Moa. “They didn’t think that we could do this. But, as all our coaches say, especially Kalani, this wasn’t a surprise to us. We know the work that we put in to get to this point, and so we just take it week by week
and make a statement every single week.”

BYU’s defense forced three turnovers, Jake Retzlaff threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns and Parker Kingston had a highlight reel 90-yard punt return touchdown in the victory.

Fifth-string running back Sione Moa added a career-high 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents in emphatic fashion.

Avery Johnson piled up 204 yards of total offense for the Wildcats but also threw a pair of interceptions. DJ Giddens rushed 93 yards on 19 carries as Kansas State (3-1, 0-1) dropped to 0-4 all-time in Provo despite totaling 224 rushing yards.

This was the first time Kansas State failed to score a touchdown since 2020.

“We have the guys, we have the scheme, we have the culture, we have guys who love to ball,” said defensive end Tyler Batty. “Most importantly, we have guys who love the guys next to them. I think that was on full display tonight, offensively, defensively and special teams. There was nothing left in the tank tonight. Our guys were giving it their all.”

BYU scored a pair of touchdowns 39 seconds apart before halftime after forcing turnovers on back-to-back Kansas State drives.

Jack Kelly stripped the ball from Giddens on a third-down run and Tommy Prassas took the fumble 30 yards to the house, giving the Cougars their first lead, 10-6. Tyler Batty intercepted Johnson two plays later at the Wildcats 29. His takeaway set up a 23-yard touchdown catch by Chase Roberts that gave BYU a 17-6 lead going into halftime.

Johnson tossed his second interception to Harrison Taggart on Kansas State’s opening drive of the second half. Taggart’s pick and a subsequent 24-yard sprint by Moa set up a 3-yard TD catch by Darius Lassiter and extended BYU’s lead to 24-6.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, Kingston nearly fumbled the ensuing punt but managed to scoop up the ball, cut over to the opposite sideline and race 90 yards for a touchdown. His score put BYU up 31-6 less than five minutes into the third quarter.

A 22-yard touchdown run by Moa early in the fourth capped the night for the Cougars.

Forcing turnovers on three straight Kansas State drives helped the Cougars turn a close game into a blowout early in the second half. BYU scored 31 unanswered points in a 6 1/2-minute span bridging the second and third quarters.

“I’m a little bit speechless, honestly,” Taggert said. “The brotherhood we have on defense this year and the chemistry on the team this year is insane, and I love it.”

BYU next plays at Baylor Saturday, September 28th.

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