College football is basically a fever dream where logic goes to die on a Saturday night. If you want proof, look no further than the BYU vs Kansas football game from November 16, 2024. Most people expected a blowout. BYU was 9-0, ranked No. 6 in the country, and smelling a College Football Playoff berth. Kansas? They were 3-6, fighting just to stay relevant.
Then the lights came on at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Honestly, the atmosphere was electric. Over 62,000 fans showed up in the freezing 33-degree Provo air, expecting a coronation. Instead, they got a masterclass in how a "losing" team can absolutely wreck a perfect season. Kansas walked out with a 17-13 win, and BYU fans were left wondering how a potential undefeated run evaporated in three hours.
The Freak Play That Changed Everything
You can't talk about BYU vs Kansas football without mentioning "The Punt." It’s the kind of play that makes coaches want to retire.
Kansas was facing a brutal 4th-and-14. They were stuck on BYU’s 36-yard line, trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter. Jalon Daniels, the Jayhawks' quarterback, lined up to punt the ball himself. It was a desperation move, a "pooch punt" meant to pin BYU deep.
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The ball took a weird bounce. It actually hit the helmet of BYU’s Evan Johnson. In the absolute chaos that followed, Kansas wide receiver Quentin Skinner dove on the ball at the 3-yard line. One play later, Devin Neal punched it in for a touchdown. That four-second sequence basically decided the game.
It wasn't just luck, though. Kansas played with a "nothing to lose" edge.
Defensive Lockdown in the Red Zone
BYU had plenty of chances. Jake Retzlaff moved the ball. The Cougars actually outgained the Jayhawks 354 to 242 in total yards. They had 23 first downs compared to Kansas’ 13. But stats are liars.
Every time BYU got close, the Kansas defense turned into a brick wall. Mello Dotson picked off Retzlaff in the end zone right before halftime. That was a massive momentum killer. Then, in the final two minutes, BYU marched all the way down to the Kansas 11-yard line. The crowd was deafening.
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The Jayhawks didn't blink. They forced a turnover on downs with 49 seconds left. BYU’s Chase Roberts was stopped just short on a 4th-and-11. Game over. Season changed.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s a common narrative that BYU "choked." That's kinda lazy.
The reality is that Kansas was a much better team than their record suggested. By the time they hit Provo, they had already knocked off No. 17 Iowa State the week before. They went on to beat No. 16 Colorado right after. They became the first team in FBS history to beat three straight ranked opponents while having a losing record.
- Jalon Daniels: He wasn't statistically perfect, but his leadership kept the chains moving.
- Devin Neal: He became a legend in Lawrence that night, scoring both touchdowns and breaking school records.
- The Big 12 Grind: This game proved that in the new Big 12, there are no "gimme" weeks.
BYU's offense struggled with efficiency. While LJ Martin ran hard for 76 yards, the Cougars couldn't find the end zone when it mattered most. They settled for field goals from Will Ferrin (33 and 35 yards) while Kansas was busy scoring six.
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The Long-Term Fallout
The BYU vs Kansas football game had massive ripples. For BYU, it was the beginning of a tough stretch. They lost to Arizona State the following week, eventually finishing the regular season 10-2. They did bounce back to win the Alamo Bowl against Colorado, but that "what if" regarding the undefeated season still hangs over the program.
For Kansas, it was a bittersweet peak. They finished 5-7 in 2024 and 2025. They’ve consistently played the role of the "giant killer" without quite getting over the hump to a winning season themselves. Lance Leipold has built a program that can beat anyone on any given night, but consistency remains the white whale.
2025 and Beyond: The Rivalry Grows
We're now seeing a shift in how these teams view each other. It’s not just a cross-divisional game anymore. It’s a grudge match. BYU fans haven't forgotten the "Punt from Nowhere," and Kansas knows they have the blueprint to win in one of the toughest environments in the West.
If you're looking at future matchups, keep an eye on the quarterback battle. With BYU's recruiting classes trending up and Kansas looking to find the next Jalon Daniels, the tactical chess match between Kalani Sitake and Lance Leipold is only getting more complex.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: In the Big 12, yards don't win games; touchdowns do. BYU's 2-for-4 red zone performance against Kansas is a textbook example of how to lose while winning the yardage battle.
- Monitor Defensive Secondary Transitions: Kansas' ability to generate interceptions in the end zone (like Mello Dotson's) is a direct result of their "bend but don't break" scheme. Look for BYU to recruit more physical receivers to counter this.
- Keep an Eye on Special Teams: The 2024 game was decided by a muffed punt recovery. Special teams are often the first thing coaches overlook but the first thing that costs them a CFP spot.
The 2024 meeting wasn't just a game; it was a warning. In this conference, your ranking is just a target on your back.