Kingston's 90-yard return TD sparked BYU by No. 13 K-State, but almost didn't happen

PROVO — It was called a "play of the year candidate" by ESPN's SportsCenter, and a certain spark in BYU's wild 38-9 win over No. 13 Kansas State.

But Parker Kingston's 90-yard punt return that capped a 31-0 run through the "middle eight" minutes bridging the second and third quarters probably shouldn't have happened, or at least, there's a world where it isn't even a possibility that the former Roy High star covered around 150 yards while slaloming through groups of Kansas State defenders.

Of course, the Cougars are glad Kingston made the decision to do what he did, helping them to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2021. But, yeah, it probably shouldn't have happened.

"It was supposed to be a safe punt," said linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who had three tackles and a tackle for loss and was on the field during the play. "I was thinking that he was going to fair-catch it, but I turned around, and it hit the ground. I was trying to find the first guy that I could block, and then you see an open lane and he came up the sideline ... and from there, we were celebrating in the end zone."

Added defensive end Tyler Batty: "It was just absolutely insane. And we were in punt safe; the defense was on the field. To return that for a touchdown in punt safe, I don't think you can ask for a better play."

In a flash, provided by a former all-state sprinter and Roy High quarterback/running back/athlete, the Cougars went from a 6-0 deficit to a Big 12 title contender to a 31-6 lead in roughly 6 1/2 minutes of game time.

After being held scoreless for nearly two quarters, Will Ferrin opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal with 2:10 left in the half. One minute and 2 seconds later, Tommy Prassas picked up a fumble forced by Jack Kelly and rumbled 30 yards into the end zone for a defensive touchdown.

On the next play, Jake Retzlaff cashed in an interception with a 23-yard TD strike to Chase Roberts to go up 17-6 at halftime. The Cougars revved out of the locker room with another turnover, and Retzlaff found Darius Lassiter for a 3-yard score just under 2 minutes into the third quarter.

Then came Kingston's moment — one captured by ESPN's live game broadcast, by SportsCenter, and in dozens of media outlets before Sunday morning. Before he backpedaled, zigged and zagged through K-State defenders, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound redshirt sophomore from Layton dropped the ball after he tried to field the kick around his own 15-yard line.

Instead of diving on the recovery, Kingston scooped up the loose change, squirted out of two defenders' grasp, and backed up towards the BYU goal line. No fewer than three K-State defenders caromed off each other before Glasker picked up a block near the Cougars' sideline and began escorting the returner towards goal.

"I felt like I had a personal escort into the end zone," Kingston told BYUtv of Glasker. "I told him after, thanks, bro; he was the reason why I got there."

They both had some help, too.

Jakob Robinson threw himself at a block around midfield. Jack Kelly pushed aside an on-rushing defender for another save, then held up to guide the youngster into the end zone. And Kingston nearly dropped the ball before the goal line before racing toward the corner of the end zone near the Roar of Cougars student section with outstretched arms and BYU's first punt return for a touchdown since JD Falslev motored 71 yards for a score against Middle Tennessee in 2013.

With Kingston's punt return, Prassas' fumble return and a trio of offensive scores capped by Sione I. Moa's 21-yard scoring run with 12:02 left in the game, BYU scored on all three phases for the first time since a 45-17 win over Utah State in 1996. On that night, Shay Muirbrook scooped up a fumble 45 yards for a score and James Dye returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown.

Fitting on a night where the Cougars honored the 14-1 team of 1996 — throwback uniforms, dropshadow-Y logo, and all — in their first game against Kansas State since Steve Sarkisian beat the Wildcats in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day.

Kingston etched his own name in a small piece of history Saturday night, too — even if it came on a play that was initially a mistake.

"I saw a mistake, and I saw a mistake made right. We can block for him without the drama ... but another fantastic play tonight," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. "(Special teams coordinator) Kelly Poppinga has done a great job with the special teams, and having them believe that they can make big plays and make an impact in the game."

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