BYU got a pair of conference honors Monday after its 63-7 season-opening win over Utah Tech, with returner Cannon DeVries named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and wide receiver Legend Glasker selected as the conference Freshman of the Week.
The two Cougars were central to a night that produced nine BYU touchdowns, accounting for four of them themselves.
Glasker, a 6-1, 175-pound true freshman from Lehi, Utah, made a loud first impression. He led BYU receivers with three catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns, then added two carries for 16 yards and another score. In all, he produced 18 points in his first college game.
His three-touchdown outing was the first by a BYU receiver since Puka Nacua did it against Arkansas in 2022. It was also the first time a Cougar true freshman has scored three or more touchdowns in a game since Jamaal Williams had four at Georgia Tech on Oct. 27, 2012.
DeVries, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore from North Ogden, Utah, delivered the kind of special teams swing that changes a game in a hurry. He fielded the opening kickoff of the second half three yards deep in the end zone and took it 100 yards to the end zone.
That return was BYU’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since Talan Alfrey scooped up an onside kick and returned it 58 yards for a score against Houston in 2024. It also matched the Cougars’ last 100-yard kickoff return, which came in 2024 when Keelan Marion brought back the opening kickoff of the second half at Wyoming.
DeVries also had two punt returns in the second quarter against Utah Tech, totaling 73 yards and helping set up a touchdown and a field goal attempt.
BYU now turns to Big 12 play against Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 12 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The game will air live on FOX, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. MDT.
In Other News...
BYU Avoided Its Worst Fear But Still Has A Safety Problem
BYU got a scare in the opener against Utah Tech when safety Raider Damuni went down with a leg injury in the first half and had to be carried off the field. The good news is that an MRI confirmed the problem is not season-ending, which at least keeps the Cougars from losing one of their defensive veterans for the year.
Even so, the setback leaves a hole in a secondary that was counting on Damuni for senior leadership and steady play as conference action approaches. Backup Tommy Prassas is now expected to move into the starting role, and BYU will be watching closely to see how quickly the back end settles in without one of its most experienced safeties. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Heads Into Arizona With A New Defensive Problem
BYUs first road trip brings a fresh defensive wrinkle, and it arrives in the secondary. The Cougars released their depth chart for Arizona with starting strong safety Raider Damuni off the two-deep after the Week 1 injury that is expected to keep him out for multiple games, shifting the attention to how theyll sort out the back end while the season gets into its early stretch.
Tommy Prassas has moved into the starting strong safety spot, while true freshman Kennan Pula and Jarinn Kalama are also in the mix to help stabilize the position. There is some good news elsewhere on the defense, though, with edge rusher Nusi Taumoepeau promoted to starting field backer after recovering from injury, giving BYU at least one more experienced piece as it tries to answer one problem while managing another. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Faces An Early Depth Test Ahead Of Arizona
BYUs first real depth stress test of the season is already taking shape at running back, where the Cougars are trying to sort out the aftermath of Sione Moa leaving the previous game early with an injury. The setback is not believed to be season-ending, but with Arizona next on the schedule, the timing adds a little extra urgency to a room that suddenly needs answers behind the top option.
Preston Rex, Journee Tonga and Devaughn Eka have each shown enough to keep the conversation moving, giving BYU some hope that the next man up can hold the line without a major drop-off. There is better news on the other side of the ball, where Isaiah Glasker is expected back in week two, and Nusi Taumoepeau is set to start after being limited in fall camp, leaving the Cougars with at least a few reinforcements as they head into the matchup. [Read more 🡒]