A Do-Everything Type of Player

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Kansas State fans saw Dylan Edwards reach the end zone before. They'd seen him rush for a touchdown. They'd seen him catch a touchdown pass. They'd even seen him rush for a touchdown and catch a touchdown in the same game. There's no doubt that when the 5-foot-9, 167-pound running back touches the ball, he's one of the most explosive players in college football. The native of Derby, Kansas, and sophomore transfer from Colorado is blessed with elite speed and has that "it" factor. He's on the doorstep of doing great things. And he's been in a Kansas State uniform for less than a month.

Yes, it's chilling, the realization of what could become of Edwards in his K-State career. His story, in the infant stages, has but a few pages. His portrait of dominance remains a bare canvas. Well, it's about time to begin typing away, and it's about time to grab the painter's easel, because what K-State fans witnessed early in the second quarter of a 31-7 win over No. 20 Arizona on Friday was masterful, yet rare, fresh yet refined, a nod to Darren Sproles and David Allen, and worthy of a big, big hug from K-State head coach Chris Klieman, who knew these times were possible.

The score tied at 7-7 early in the second quarter, Edwards turned the game against Arizona by returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown that sent the crowd of 51,290 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium hitting volumes among the loudest in stadium history.

Shot out of a cannon pic.twitter.com/iqRM9I0jNH
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) September 14, 2024

Edwards became the first K-State running back to record a punt-return touchdown since Darren Sproles took on back 63 yards against Kansas in 2003. Edwards also recorded the longest punt-return touchdown by a K-State running back since David Allen took one back 74 yards at Texas in 1999.

Edwards also became the first K-State player to have a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a punt-return touchdown in the first three games of a season since Deon Murphy in 2007.

As the late great ABC commentator Keith Jackson would say, "Woah, Nellie!"

As the football left the foot of punter Tyler Loop at his own 13-yard line and Edwards fielded it off a bounce at the K-State 29-yard line, the stadium grew quiet, and you just knew what everybody was thinking. "Wow. He might go all the way."

At the time, both teams were looking for some sort of momentum. It was a fight among Wildcats, two top-20 teams, and the schools, now both in the Big 12 Conference, hadn't played each other since 1978. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark was on hand. So were 17 NFL scouts. Millions of TV viewers watched the biggest game on Friday night.

Then, Loop's punt bounced at the 35 and Edwards picked up the football at the 29. And instantly, everything changed.

"Whatever opportunity they give me," Edwards said, "I'm going to go out there and do my best."

Edwards immediately burst to his left as Donovan McIntosh rode an Arizona defender out of the play. Then Edwards turned up field, the ball tucked tight against his body with his left arm. Another Arizona defender sprinted across the field and came two steps from Edwards, but he swung outside toward the K-State sideline near midfield. Edwards squared his shoulders and shifted into overdrive. The Arizona defender had no chance. None. Then another Arizona defender entered the picture. Edwards darted past him at the Arizona 23. At that point, all that was left was green turf on the way to the end zone and the fight song.

K-State teammates Ty Bowman, Kam Sallis and Isaac Koch, all great special teams players, trailed behind on the play, each celebrating the feat. K-State did not have a punt-return touchdown last season.

"Right when I touched the ball in my hands, I tried to find the best crease I could," Edwards said. "I used my speed."

POV of the Jet @dylan_edwards02 pic.twitter.com/eWelQdFZno
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) September 14, 2024

As Edwards dashed down the field, the stadium came to life in a weird, surreal way, like how it did when Terence Newman had his 90-yard extra-point return against USC in 2002, and like how it did when Jonathan Beasley threw a touchdown to Quincy Morgan to beat Nebraska in 2000. There are other instances when the stadium has been loud, but, yeah, Edwards' punt-return touchdown was in elite company.

"It was very loud," Edwards said. "It was a great feeling."

The play, and the crowd, and, of course, the player, will be talked about for years to come.

"He's a dog," K-State wide receiver Jayce Brown said when asked to describe Edwards. "He puts in a crazy amount of work with the return game. It was bound to happen. He's just so explosive."

Added cornerback Keenan Garber: "He's a Kansas kid, he's from Derby, and Kansas kids put in work. He's just so explosive. He's so fast and has great vision. You've seen it now. He can run the ball, catch the ball, and now you've seen him on punt returns.

"He really can do it all."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Ty Bowman

Jayce Brown

Dylan Edwards

Keenan Garber

Isaac Koch

Donovan McIntosh

Kam Sallis

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