#80 - 9/18/21 - BYU defeats #19 ASU: #23 BYU - 27, #19 ASU - 17

         As an Independent, BYU has consistently attempted to play as many games as possible against the nation’s top conferences. The proximity to the PAC-12, made that conference one of the more natural fits into BYU’s schedule, so it was only a little surprising that the Cougars were able to schedule five games against the PAC-12 in the 2021 season. What was more surprising to college football pundits was how much success the Cougars were having against the top conference in the West. After starting the season with back-to-back wins over former WAC conference rivals Arizona and #21 Utah, the #23 Cougars (2-0) prepared to host another familiar foe from their early WAC days - #19 Arizona State (2-0).

        On the opening kickoff, ASU ran it out of the end zone, but BYU’s Talmage Gunther forced a fumble on special teams that Hayden Livingston recovered at the ASU 12. Three plays later, RB Tyler Allgeier took the handoff from QB Jaren Hall and powered his way into the end zone by bulldozing through a defender for a 3-yard TD rush. The Sun Devils responded by zipping 75 yards upfield, including a 58-yard pass to Andre Johnson. Rachaad White delivered the final blow by slipping through the line for the score. Then the defenses took over. BYU had three consecutive drives that went three-and-out. ASU managed a first down on each of its next drives, but ultimately were forced to punt. After one quarter of play, the score was still knotted at 7-up.

        Early in the second quarter, the Sun Devils were driving. When they reached the Red Zone, however, the Cougar D came up with a huge play when BYU’s Max Tooley leaped into the fray to corral a deflected ball for the interception. Hall and company then drove back upfield to the Sun Devil 34. *BYU then pulled a trick play out of its bag of tricks. Hall handed off to Allgeier, who ran forward and pitched it back to Neil Pau’u, who pitched it back to Hall. Hall then stepped forward and launched a 34-yard TD pass to WR Gunner Romney, who was wide-open in the back of the end zone. After forcing another ASU punt, the Cougars embarked on another scoring drive. On a blown play, Jaren Hall improvised, rolling right and tossing to his tight end, Isaac Rex, who caught it and backed into the end zone for a 15-yard TD reception. When the Sun Devils tried to respond, they were intercepted by Malik Moore, who leaped up to snag the deflected pass. Unfortunately, Hall returned the favor by throwing up an interception in the end zone right before intermission. At halftime, BYU led 21-7.

Catch by Gunner Romney
Courtesy of BYU Photo

        In the third, ASU drove 80 yards, with Daniyel Ngata stretching the ball over the line on a 10-yard rush for the score. After a Cougar punt, the Sun Devils drove deep into BYU territory before being driven back by three straight penalties. They still put points on the board thanks to a 40-yard FG by Cristian Zendejas. Hall led the Cougars back into Sun Devil territory thanks to a 17-yard reception by Gunner Romney on third-and-9, and a 28-yard scramble by Hall that took them to the Sun Devil 26. Unfortunately, Hall’s next pass was picked off, and returned 60 yards the other way. Fortunately, RB Tyler Allgeier tracked down the Sun Devil, leaped on his back and punched the ball free. QB Jaren Hall, hadn’t given up on the play either. He leaped on the loose ball to prevent an easy ASU score. BYU was now clinging to a 21-17 lead through three.

        The Cougars started the fourth with a drive into ASU territory, but the drive fizzled outside of FG range and they were compelled to punt. ASU tried to take the lead, but the ferocious Cougar Defense came up big, driving the Sun Devils backwards with sacks. When the Cougars got the ball back, Hall led them on a long drive to the Sun Devil 4, but was injured on a 13-yard run that set up a first-and-goal. With 1:19 remaining, backup QB Baylor Romney stumbled, but retained his footing, and tossed a 3-yard TD pass to Isaac Rex to seal the game. Arizona State went into hurry-up mode, but their final drive died at the Cougar 27.

Jaren Hall on the run
Courtesy of BYU Photo

The win was huge for BYU, who started the season with three consecutive wins over PAC-12 teams - the first time they’d ever won 3 consecutive games against a Power 5 conference in a single season in program history. It also marked the first time the Cougars recorded back-to-back wins over ranked teams during the regular season. BYU would win their next two games to rise to #10 in the AP poll before losing to Baylor. They would finish the season with a 10-3 record, including a 5-0 record against the PAC-12, and a #19 ranking in the final poll.

 

Game link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XBJAZ7uLQ

* Didn’t make BYU’s list of Top 100 plays (televised plays through 2020 season) since it occurred in the 2021 season.

 

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