Jake Reztlaff didn’t have an amazing statistical showing (15-of-21 passing for 149 yards and two TDs) and ended up getting sacked twice, but he managed the game well and didn’t commit a turnover. In a game where the Wildcats dominated time of possession, he had limited opportunities.

Grade: B+

Running back

BYU turned to freshman Sione I. Moa for the bulk of the carries and he responded with 76 yards and a highlight-reel score on 15 carries (5.1 yards per carry). He showed balance that was reminiscent of a Cougar RB named Tyler Allgeier. Enoch Nawahine also had a couple of nice runs.

Grade: B+

Wide receivers/tight ends

With only 15 completions, there weren’t many chances for the BYU receivers to make plays. Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter each caught touchdown passes, but a lot of the WR contributions were blocking downfield and being surehanded.

Grade: B+

Offensive line

BYU only gained 92 yards on the ground and surrendered two sacks, but this wasn’t a bad performance by the offensive line. They got the job done so the Cougars could take advantage of short-field opportunities and didn’t let the Wildcat defensive front dictate the game.

Grade: B

Defensive line

The Cougars gave up 228 yards on the ground, which sounds like a recipe for disaster. But the guys in the trenches stiffened when they had to in order to force KSU to settle for field goals and also got some nice pressure at times. Tyler Batty had his first career interception.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

Jack Kelly continued his big-play mojo, getting a sack as well as forcing the key, game-changing fumble that turned into a touchdown. Harrison Taggart had an interception and a career-high 10 tackles. This unit also had to deal with being battered by the punishing Wildcat run game but never backed down from the challenge.

Grade: A

Secondary

Three of BYU’s top five tacklers were defensive backs (Jakob Robinson with eight, Crew Wakley with seven and Micah Harper with 5) as this group had to make some key stops. The Cougars held KSU to just 139 yards passing, and Tommy Prassas was the recipient of the forced fumble and turned it into a TD.

Grade: A

Special teams

Parker Kingston turned a blunder into a season highlight with his 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, a play that BYU fans will see many times in the coming years. Will Ferrin was solid with his kicking and Sam Van Der Haar pinned the Wildcats deep with his punting. BYU did have another kickoff return stopped at the 18-yard line, though.

Grade: A

Coaching

BYU looked to be struggling early on as Kansas State ran the ball well and the Cougar offense didn’t make much happen. But the players stayed confident in the game plan and the big plays came. The coaches put the team in position to capitalize and that turned a close game into a big win.

Grade: A-