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BYU junior kicker Will Ferrin runs the ball on a fake field goal during the Big 12 game against UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU junior kicker Will Ferrin attempts a field goal during the game against Southern Illinois at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Marci Harris, Special to the Herald

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BYU junior kicker Will Ferrin kicks the game-winning field goal during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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Here is your fun BYU football trivia question for today: Which two current Cougar players have the best yards per carry (ypc) averages on the team?

No, it’s not BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff (4.8 ypc), sophomore running back LJ Martin (5.6 ypc) or senior running back Hinckley Ropati (5.6 ypc).

To get the answer, think special teams.

Yes, Cougar sophomore punter Sam Vander Haar is leading the team at 22 yards per carry and junior kicker Will Ferrin is second at 8 ypc.

The full disclosure is that each have only had one carry apiece on trick plays but both turned them into successful gains that picked up first downs and kept BYU drives alive.

Ferrin’s eight-yard gain in Saturday’s 37-24 Cougar win at UCF may not sound like much, but the smooth way Vander Haar took the snap, then snapped it back to Ferrin to run around the right end got a lot of attention.

On Monday, Ferrin, Vander Haar and long snapper Dalton Riggs were honored with the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for pulling it off.

Ferrin was also honored as the Big 12 Special Teams Co-Players of the Week after he made all three field goals and all four extra point attempts in the victory.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said during Monday’s press teleconference that the Cougars feel fortunate to have Ferrin be a part of the program.

“He’s great,” Sitake said. “The guy has kept working. We missed out on him in recruiting, which isn’t a perfect science. The fact is that he was able to transfer here from Boise with three years to play, and it was an easy transition for him. It’s almost like he’s been here from the beginning.”

Sitake added with a smile that it was “good” to see Ferrin run but that “we didn’t get to see him throw.”

“I don’t think he needed to throw on that one,” Sitake said. “But our offense was upset that we didn’t take advantage of the conversion and score a touchdown. We ended up kicking a field goal anyways, but it was a closer field goal.”

Sitake went on to talk about what Ferrin has meant to the Cougars as a leader this season.

“I’ve been really impressed with Will,” Sitake said. “He’s on our leadership committee and he’s done some amazing things for our program. I just love having him on our team.”

Sitake knows that Ferrin has a lot more kicks to make this season (and runs or passes too, perhaps) but the Cougar head coach would love to see them be a certain type of kick.

“I love that he can make field goals but I like it better when he makes PATs,” Sitake said. “That’s what we are trying to get done.”

Here is the complete release from BYU about the awards:

“BYU kicker Will Ferrin was named the Big 12 Special Teams Co-Player of the Week today for his performance in the Cougars’ 37-24 win at UCF on Saturday.

“The 6-3, 175-pound junior from Kaysville, Utah, was perfect on the day, going 3-3 on field goal attempts with kicks of 36, 37 and 41 yards. He also converted all four extra-point kicks, accounting for 13 of BYU’s 37 points to help the now No. 9 ranked Cougars remain undefeated at 8-0. His three field goals marked a new single-game best for Ferrin.

“In addition to being Special Teams Co-Player of the Week, Ferrin along with holder Sam Vander Haar and deep snapper Dalton Riggs were honored Monday with the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week for their double snap fake field goal late in the first quarter of the UCF game.

“Sponsored each week during the 2024 college football season by Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts, the award celebrates incredible athleticism, awe-inspiring strategy and jaw-dropping “did you see that?” moments from college football. The award is selected each week in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America.

“With 1:38 left in the first quarter in Orlando, BYU faced fourth down with five yards to go from the UCF 28-yard line. After lining up for a 46-yard field goal attempt from the left hash, Riggs snapped the ball to Vander Haar, who instead of placing the ball for the field-goal attempt flipped the ball through his legs to Ferron as he raced towards the BYU sideline for an 8-yard gain and a first down. The play eventually led to a field goal that gave BYU a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

“To celebrate the honor, the Cougars will receive a care package of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries.

“This year Ferrin is 14 for 17 on field goals, including a career-long of 54 yards, while converting all 33 of his PAT attempts. As a sophomore in 2023, Ferrin played in all 12 games for the Cougars. He finished the year 32 of 33 on extra points and converted 11 of 14 field goals, including a season-long 49-yarder versus Oklahoma. Following the 2023 season, Ferrin was named CSC Academic All-District. He was also named to the College Football Network 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team.

“Ferrin joins Parker Kingston as the second Cougar to received Big 12 Player of the Week honors during the 2024 season.”