A wild punt return for a touchdown.
A scoop and score.
These were just two of BYU’s signature moments in its 38-9 throttling of No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday, improving to 4-0 in 2024.
Down 6-3 to the Wildcats in the second quarter, BYU turned up the excitement for the home fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Running back DJ Giddens attempted to spin his way by a BYU defender but had the ball punched out of his hands by BYU linebacker Jack Kelly. Freshman safety Tommy Prassas picked up the ball and ran 30 yards into the end zone for the touchdown to give the Cougars their first lead.
Prassas’ scoop and score began a run of 28 unanswered points for BYU, capped off by a highlight-reel punt return touchdown that send Provo into a raucous celebration and put the Wildcats away for good. BYU returner Parker Kingston snatched a 57-yard punt from Kansas State’s Simon McClannan inside BYU’s 10-yard line before reversing field, dodging teammates and turning the corner on the far side of the field.
Parker Kingston ARE YOU KIDDING! #SCTop10 #SCTop10 #SCTop10#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/mMgtajNn2n
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 22, 2024
Entering Saturday’s game, Kingston had three receptions for 66 yards.
BYU’s win continues a big weekend for the Big 12’s relative newcomers. Colorado, back in the league after playing in the Pac-12 from 2011 to 2023, defeated Baylor 38-31 in overtime to win its conference opener. No. 12 Utah, also in its first year in the Big 12, beat No. 14 Oklahoma State 22-19 in Stillwater.
The Cougars, who went 5-7 last year in their first season as Big 12 members, will travel to Baylor next Saturday looking for the program’s first 5-0 start since 2020.
(Photo: Chris Gardner / Getty Images)
