NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
BYU’s Parker Kingston returns a punt for a touchdown during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Asking Kelly Poppinga to select his top five plays on special teams in 2024 is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. Poppinga loved them all — and there were a lot. However, his top five (or five and a half) have back stories that make them stand out from the others.
Here they are.
No. 5: Fake punt vs. Baylor
BYU punter Sam Vander Haar called his own number on a fake punt at Baylor. He picked up the necessary yards to preserve the drive. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo
Midway through the third quarter, on fourth and 10 at its own 35, BYU’s Sam Vander Haar faked a punt and ran 10 yards for a first down to extend a drive that ended with a field goal.
“We had called it, but (Tyler) Batty was supposed to check out of it because we didn’t get the exact look we wanted,” Poppinga, BYU’s special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach, told the “Y’s Guys” podcast this week. “At the last second, their guy shifted over, but Batty made the call before the shift. He was like, ‘We’re going with it!’”
Poppinga told head coach Kalani Sitake, “I think he stayed with (the call).”
“But that’s not the look?” Sitake shot back.
“I know,” said Poppinga. “Then all of a sudden, the kid shifted over and we were like, ‘OK.’”
No. 4A: TD punt return vs. Kansas State
BYU’s Parker Kingston celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against Kansas State on Sept. 21, 2024. | Jaren Wilkey/BYU PHOTO
When Parker Kingston botched the catch of a Kansas State punt in the third quarter, only to recover it and proceed to run 90 yards (more like 140) for a touchdown, Poppinga was stunned.
“It’s probably the most unbelievable play I have seen in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/kelly-poppinga-top-special-teams-193000951.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2025-02-21 19:30:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
