BYU football: KVN, Patriots blowout Titans in AFC Divisional Round

Former BYU football linebacker Kyle Van Noy and the New England Patriots blewout the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Round 35-14 on Saturday.

BYU football currently has two former players still alive in the NFL playoffs. One is Taysom Hill, special teams ace for the New Orleans Saints.

The other is linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who is advancing to the AFC Championship game with the New England Patriots after he and the Pats destroyed the Tennessee Titans 35-14.

Van Noy had two solo tackles in the win and nearly collected a sack on former Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota.

KVN helped hold Tennessee to just 267 total yards and seven points through three quarters. He was often used as a spy on Mariota – shooting gaps as the quarterback started to scramble. Mariota was held to 37 yards rushing, which is his fewest since a Christmas eve matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.

New England also held Titans running back Derrick Henry to a paltry 2.3 yards per carry.

Van Noy is now playing in his second-consecutive AFC title game. He’s developed himself into a key contributor in an underrated New England defense. The former BYU football star missed some time with injuries earlier this season, but appears fully healthy now. Van Noy finished the season with 73 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.

The Patriots will meet the winner of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Jacksonville Jaguars matchup on Sunday.

New England previously defeated Pittsburgh 27-24, but Van Noy didn’t play. Last season, KVN and the Patriots defeated the Steelers in the AFC title game, 36-17.

We’ll keep tabs on both remaining former BYU football players as the games continue.