Former BYU football star James Dye enjoying Cougar special teams TDs | News, Sports, Jobs

By Pune Media On Sep 24, 2024 27

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Members of the 1996 BYU football team pose for a photo before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Members of the 1996 BYU football team huddle up before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU sophomore returner Parker Kingston celebrates scoring a punt return for a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU freshman defensive back Tommy Prassas scores a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU fans cheer on their team during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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: Members of the 1996 BYU football team pose for a photo before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: Members of the 1996 BYU football team huddle up before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: BYU sophomore returner Parker Kingston celebrates scoring a punt return for a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: BYU freshman defensive back Tommy Prassas scores a touchdown after recovering a fumble during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: BYU fans cheer on their team during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Until last Saturday’s 38-9 win over Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, it had been a while since the BYU football team had scored a touchdown in each of the three phases of the game.

This time the three offensive touchdowns were supplemented by a fumble return for a score by freshman Tommy Prassas and a special teams punt return TD from sophomore Parker Kingston.

Fittingly, members of the Cougar last team to accomplish that feat were honored before Saturday’s win.

In a 45-17 win at Utah State in 1996, BYU’s offensive TDs were supplemented by a 45-yd fumble recovery for a TD by Shay Muirbrook and a 79-yd punt return for a TD by James Dye.

It was the second time in two games that Dye’s special teams acumen was recalled, since he had been the last Cougar to have a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown (vs. UTEP in 1996) before junior Keelan Marion did it at Wyoming in BYU’s 34-14 victory.

Dye got to be there to see Kingston’s return and said at halftime on Saturday that he is thrilled to see those types of plays.

“BYU has got to find some people to return punts and kickoffs and take them all the way,” Dye said. “It’s good to see it because those are things that change the game, that flip the script. Those are momentum-builders for us and momentum-takers from our opponents. There is nothing like flipping the field. When you get a big return, it’s just so electric. It brings so much energy and team feeds off of it. It’s great to show teams that we aren’t just an offensive team or a defensive team but we are a special teams team as well. You’ve got to love it.”

Dye played at BYU in 1995-96, including being ranked No. 1 nationally in punt returns with a 12.2-yard average and was the Western Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year his junior year.

Since that point, his path took him to Texas for a long time before recently getting the chance to return to Utah.

“I got the chance to coach with Zac Erekson at Snow College,” Dye said. “It was my first college job and it was awesome. I was the receivers coach and assistant head coach, and coached a couple of the guys who are at BYU now.”

He explained that there were some good family reasons to return to Utah including having a couple of grandchildren here and that he felt very blessed to be able to make it happen.

Dye has been able to watch BYU football games since he returned, but getting back together with members of the 1996 team is always a special opportunity.

“There are lots of hugs and a little welling up of tears just remembering a little bit of nostalgia,” Dye said. “I remember when this place (LaVell Edwards Stadium) had 65,000 seats and we were cramming in an extra 1,000 fans. They used to have the blue and white pom poms that they used to shake way back when.

“That’s what BYU was all about, and that’s what nights like this (Saturday) make us nostalgic for. That brings back those memories where people said we couldn’t do it and we did and had that 15-1 season. That’s what comes back and I love these nights. I love these memories.”

Dye’s watched the evolution of college football, both through having his own sons play and through coaching. He said that while things have changed dramatically, he believes the essence of the sport remains the same.

“It’s about the heart, might, mind and strength of the players,” Dye said. “They grow up with a dream. They grow up working towards fulfilling that dream. I’ve always told athletes I’ve coached in any sport that athletics is a model for the game of life. You learn how to win. You learn how to make adjustments. You learn how to assess information, then take that and apply it for the best outcome for you. That’s what these kids have to do.”

He said that while part of him wishes that he had been around when NIL money was available so he could’ve made some big bucks, he also knows that it brings added challenges for today’s college athletes.

“Kids have to learn fiscal responsibility now,” Dye said. “They also have to learn scholastic responsibility. And so it’s more pressure and they don’t have a lot of time to figure it out. They have to make decisions now. It’s up to us older guys to help them process the information quickly and make great decisions. That’s something I take pride in right now.”

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