Flashback: BYU's Kyle Van Noy finds another way to score

Kyle Van Noy scored six different times in his four-year BYU career (Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald).


Seeing the plays made by and the praise dished out to former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy after the New England Patriots' playoff win Saturday, it brings back great memories of his playing days as a Cougar. Here's one from five years ago for this week's flashback.

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If someone told you at the beginning of the 2013 season that Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Kyle Van Noy had done it all, that person would have a strong case. After all, Van Noy is the only player in college football to record a stat in all the major defensive categories, plus touchdowns, each of the past two seasons (tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, forced and recovered fumbles, pass breakups, quarterback hurries, blocked kicks, and touchdowns). However, when Middle Tennessee came to visit BYU in Provo four games into the season, Van Noy showed us he still had some “unfinished business” in the stat and scoring department.

In his first three seasons, Van Noy had scored three touchdowns via fumble recovery and one via interception return. In the second quarter of play against the Blue Raiders, Van Noy put points on the board, again, but this time it was different.

For video footage of Van Noy's first four touchdowns, click here.

Van Noy’s first score came way back in his freshman season (2010) when he scooped up a fumble in Fort Collins, Colorado and raced 44 yards to give BYU a 21-0 lead over the Colorado State Rams. The second one was a game winning fumble recovery, giving the Cougars a 14-13 lead against Ole Miss’ in 2011. The other two were both from the 2012 Poinsettia Bowl against San Diego State.

All four were signature scores that helped win those games.

This time against MTSU Van Noy scored in a different way; the ever rare safety.

Those who follow Van Noy know that he has a knack for the big play and just making things happen. So it was only a matter of time before he altered the course of the game, right?

One of the most interesting things about this safety is that it came at a time when BYU gave up the momentum. Then, Van Noy came in and took it right back.

Just before the safety, BYU was trailing MTSU 10-7. The Cougars were about to score when Taysom Hill fumbled the football on the two-yard line giving up possession, momentum, and the potential lead.

On came Van Noy and the Cougar defense, knowing they needed to bail out the offense. Middle Tennessee State running back Jordan Parker took the handoff in the endzone when Van Noy immediately dove for his legs causing him to fall to the ground. Defensive lineman Remington Peck then came in and made sure Parker could not fall forward out of the endzone, successfully adding two points for BYU, but more importantly turning the momentum.



This gave BYU the needed drive to finish the game as a 37-10 route.

By Tanner Spear

Editor's Note: Van Noy scored the fifth and final touchdown of his college career the next week at Utah State. Click here to watch it.


The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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