Kingston's Unbelievable 90-Yard Return TD Ignites BYU in Stunning Victory Over No. 13 Kansas State

PROVO — In what is being hailed as a “play of the year candidate,” Parker Kingston's electrifying 90-yard punt return was the catalyst for BYU’s spectacular 38-9 dismantling of No. 13 Kansas State. This highlight-reel moment, which sparked a shocking 31-0 run during the critical “middle eight” minutes of the second and third quarters, nearly never came to be.

By the end of the night, Kingston was the talk of sports commentators everywhere, but the prelude to his dazzling run involved a chaotic series of missteps that allowed the former Roy High star to work his way through a maze of defenders, ultimately covering an estimated 150 yards throughout the return.

“I was expecting him to fair-catch it,” reflected linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who contributed three tackles during the game and was present for Kingston’s momentous play. “Then, I turned around and saw it hit the ground. I just started looking for the first guy to block, and then boom! Open lane down the sideline, and we were all celebrating in the end zone.”

Defensive end Tyler Batty echoed his teammate’s sentiments, stating, “To return a touchdown during a punt safe situation—it's just awesome. I don’t think we could have asked for a better play.”

In mere minutes, the Cougars flipped the script from a 6-0 deficit to a commanding 31-6 lead, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable evening of football. After both teams struggled to score for much of the first half, K-State's Will Ferrin opened the game’s scoring with a 31-yard field goal late in the second quarter. This was followed by a defensive touchdown courtesy of Tommy Prassas, who scooped up a fumble and took it 30 yards for a score.

Just over a minute later, Jake Retzlaff capitalized on an interception, delivering a 23-yard touchdown pass to Chase Roberts, giving BYU a 17-6 halftime lead. The Cougars didn’t slow down after the break; just two minutes into the third quarter, Retzlaff found Darius Lassiter for a 3-yard touchdown.

And then there was Kingston. As the ball bobbled around during his attempt to field it near the 15-yard line, he initially appeared to lose his chance at a significant play. Instead of giving up the opportunity, he dove to recover, evaded numerous defenders, and sprinted down the sideline. Teammate Glasker remarked on Kingston's agility, saying, “I felt like I had a personal escort into the end zone,” highlighting the teamwork that pushed Kingston across the goal line.

Kingston’s feat was now not only about personal glory; he was part of a historic moment for BYU. His return marked the team's first punt return for a touchdown since JD Falslev’s 71-yarder against Middle Tennessee in 2013. Additionally, with contributions from Prassas, Moa, and others, BYU scored across all three phases of the game—a first since a 1996 victory when they achieved a similar feat against Utah State.

The night resonated with nostalgia as the Cougars donned throwback uniforms to honor the legendary 14-1 team of 1996, sharing a moment deeply rooted in the school’s rich history—it's a reminder of BYU's potential to rise again in the realm of college football.

Head coach Kalani Sitake reflected on Kingston’s extraordinary return: “I saw a mistake, and I saw a mistake made right. The belief in making big plays is what our special teams have cultivated this season, and tonight those efforts paid off in a spectacular way.”

As BYU walks away with an impressive 4-0 start for the first time since 2021, one thing is certain: Kingston’s daring return will certainly be remembered in the annals of Cougar history. What other surprises might this season hold? Only time will tell!