BYU Demolishes No. 13 Kansas State in a Late Night Contest

© Rob Gray-Imagn Images

No. 13 Kansas State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) walked into Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah on Sept. 21 and was beaten down by BYU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) losing 38-9. The first half was going the Wildcats' way leading 6-3 with 2:10 to go. Then the wheels fell and Kansas State gave up 14 points in the final minute of the first half giving the Cougars a 17-6 halftime lead. The nightmare would continue in the first five minutes of the second half with BYU picking up another two touchdowns to lead 31-6 allowing BYU to cruise the rest of the night.

Game Summary

Kansas State spent most of the first half controlling the game on both sides of the ball forcing BYU to punt the first two drives and holding them to a field goal on the third drive. The first two drives for K-State chewed up clock and yardage but penalties derailed both—a false start on the first drive and a holding penalty on the second forcing them to settle for field goals. When mistakes started to pile up for K-State, BYU seized the opportunity to turn each of the 3 turnovers into touchdowns. Once BYU got Kansas State to play from behind the K-State offense stalled for the rest of the evening except for on the third drive in the second half. Quarterback Avery Johnson rushed for a touchdown, but the score was called back after another holding penalty, forcing another Chris Tennant field goal.

Turning Point for BYU

Down 6-3 and halftime right around the corner, K-State was looking to score more points to extend the lead. On third-and-2 at the K-State 33-yard line, a run play was called for DJ Giddens who fumbled the ball and the BYU defense seized the opportunity as safety Tommy Prassas scooped the ball up and scored. Now down 10-6 the Wildcats' offense came back out and was looking to put points up again.

Instead, the BYU defense had a different idea and sent a blitz on Johnson who threw an interception to defensive end Tyler Batty on a screen play. Two plays later quarterback Jake Retzlaff connected with wide receiver Chase Roberts for a 23-yard touchdown to take control of the game.

What It Means

BYU did what it needed to do and protected its home field against a top-15 team. While the Cougars were outgained 367-241 in yardage in the game, they were able to get 2 touchdowns on non-offensive plays, including the fumble as mentioned and a 90-yard highlight-reel punt return touchdown by wide receiver Parker Kingston that began with a muffed punt and ended with him sprinting down the sideline to score for the Cougars. BYU beat a good team at home showing the Big 12 that a road game at Lavell Edwards Stadium should not be taken lightly. Next Saturday they travel to Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears (2-2, 0-1 Big 12).

Kansas State had a night where nothing went right for them. The offense had 3 turnovers in a matter of 2:08 of game time. The Wildcats were uncharacteristically sloppy piling up 8 penalties for 50 yards—most of which stalled drives. Johnson completed 15-of-29 passes for 130 yards in the whole game on top of his 2 interceptions. The defense, with all things considered, played well not giving up chunk plays consistently and when they were not backed up after turnovers they held the BYU offense pretty well. K-State will be fine if this game is not a new trend and is used as a learning moment for the young quarterback. Games do not get easier for K-State with No. 14 Oklahoma State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) coming to Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sept. 28.