PROVO — BYU kicker Jake Oldroyd has largely been a revelation this season with his accuracy and distance in both kicking and punting the football, with the freshman reaching new heights during the Cougars’ 45-19 loss to Washington.
Just minutes after missing on an extra point late in the first half, Oldroyd lined up a 54-yard attempt, which he kicked through with distance to spare. It proved the first make of 50 yards or longer since Jared McLaughlin connected from 53 yards clear back in 2006 during a win over Air Force.
Furthermore, the kick proved the second-longest in BYU history with Owen Pochman’s 56-yarder in 2000 still standing on top.
Oldroyd’s field goal was absolutely the highlight of BYU’s special teams effort on Saturday with an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown allowed to Washington returner Aaron Fuller proving the lowlight, even over the shanked extra point.
- Watch Lopini Katoa’s 48-yard kickoff return
BYU punt and kick coverages have proven effective throughout much of the early season, which made the return a bit surprising, considering.
“We take pride in special teams here, so having that go off on us — it’s not going to happen again,” said BYU defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku. “We’ll make sure of that. ... It’s not going to happen again.”