PROVO-No. 19 BYU responded well to their first loss of the season, defeating Wyoming 38-24 at home on Saturday night. After a back and forth first half, the Cougars turned it on in the second half stifling the Cowboys and attacking on offense with big plays. Jaren Hall led the Cougars to the win, distributing the ball effectively and making big plays when they needed it.
BYU Back On Track With Win Over Wyoming
Hard fought W. pic.twitter.com/k36bxXBAd9
β BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 25, 2022
Wyoming jumped to an early lead thanks to their effective run game. They gashed the BYU defense in the first half, averaging over five yards a carry. But the Cougars were resilient, bracing the initial blow and responding well in the second half. After allowing 97 yards on the ground in the first half, BYU gave up just 27 rushing yards down the stretch. BYU outgained Wyoming on offense in the game, 525-278.
BYU scored a touchdown late in the second quarter on a pass from Jaren Hall to Brayden Cosper. They extended their lead with two touchdowns in the third quarter, both on touchdown passes from Jaren Hall. Despite a fourth quarter touchdown by the Cowboys, the game was never in doubt in the second half.
Quarterback Jaren Hall had a big game for the Cougars, completing 81% of his passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Hall spread the ball efficiently, finding eight different receivers on the night. Keanu Hill had a big night, pulling in five catches for a game-high 160 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Four different receivers had at least four catches for BYU tonight.
#BYU head coach Kalani Sitake on quarterback Jaren Hall:
“We’re lucky to have him…he’s a leader on this team.”
πΈ: @BYUphoto#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/DkV4TCuiv4
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 25, 2022
The run game was improved tonight against Wyoming, with BYU amassing 188 yards on the ground. With starter Chris Brooks limited in the game, running back Miles Davis took advantage of the opportunities he got. Seeing his most game action of the season so far, Davis ran for 131 yards and caught four passes out of the backfield. He also broke off a 70-yard run, the longest of the night for the Cougars.
The BYU defense stepped up big against the Cowboys. Wyoming never got anything going through the air, relying heavily on the run game. The Cowboys averaged just 4.6 yards per play on the night. Defensive ends Tyler Batty and John Nelson each got home with a sack and the unit held Wyoming to just 3-11 on third down.
Cougars Banged Up After Win
Sending good vibes to @AsapPuka. π #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #WYOvsBYU https://t.co/UIFcE0xtnj
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 25, 2022
Despite the win, BYU leaves the game with a banged up roster. Multiple starters were injured during the game, including Kingsley Suamataia, Malik Moore, and Puka Nacua. BYU came into the game already missing starters and will need to rely big on their depth moving forward.
Miles Davis and Micah Harper were just a few of the players for BYU who stepped up in the midst of injuries and missing starters. With Utah State up next week, the Cougars may be resting more players in anticipation of a big time matchup against Notre Dame in two weeks.
BYU (3-1) has a short week ahead as they host the Utah State Aggies (1-3) on Thursday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Wyoming (3-2) returns to Laramie for a Mountain West matchup with San Jose State (2-1).
BYU vs Wyoming: First Quarter
Rough start for #BYU. Three and out on offense. Wyoming ground attack with Titus Swen is having success in the opening plays. Then #BYU has to burn an early timeout.#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Interesting to see #BYU DBs Micah Harper and Talan Alfrey in early on the opening defensive series at safety. They replaced the two starters.#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Cowboys averaging 9.6 yards per carry on 5 attempts on their first drive of the game.
The run defense does not appear to be fixed. #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
No Chris Brooks so far in this game, Miles Davis in the backfield to start the 2nd possession. #WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) September 25, 2022
9 yards on 6 plays offensively for BYU so far tonight. That’s 1.5 yards per playβ¦#WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
The #BYU offense needed that play.
Great awareness by Hall to throw the back shoulder to Keanu Hill, who did a great job of getting some YAC after the catch. #BYUFootball
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
4-play, 91-yard TD drive for BYU there. Two big passes for Keanu Hill & Isaac Rex were the keys, capped by Brooks’ TD run #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU 4-
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
.@BYUfootball + Big Plays = @chris_br0oks26 TD #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #WYOvsBYU https://t.co/jVkNI4GzZa
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 25, 2022
BYU vs Wyoming: Second Quarter
Wyoming takes the lead on a fly sweep from that was quite easy. Pokes go up 10-7 on BYU #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Wyoming nearly at 100 yards rushing for the game already.
They are averaging 5.8 yards per rush.
When will the adjustment come from the #BYU defensive coaches? #BYUFootball @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
Imagine saying before the game that #BYU was the one pulling out trick plays to move down the field. Not the three-touchdown underdog, Wyoming.
Wyoming playing smashmouth football led by RB Titus Swen. Talented ball carrier.#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
#BYU Sports Network sideline reporter Mitchell Juergens reports that starting safety Malik Moore is out for the remainder of the game.
Listen on @kslnewsradio. #WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
BYU runs on 3rd & 7 & will punt it awayβ¦not sure about that play call #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Under 10 minutes to go in the second quarter and Chris Brooks only has one carry so far. Surprising.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
John Nelson gets a much-needed sack for BYU. That was a coverage sack, Secondary locked it up #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
#BYUFootball fans. The only crowd in America that harmonizes along to the songs played in the stadium. Currently the only joy fans have.
β Alex Kirry (@AlexKirryKSL) September 25, 2022
Wyoming will end up possessing the ball for 18 minutes in the first half. #BYU defense has allowed 12 cowboy first downs.
They are shrinking the game.
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
The catch from Brayden Cosper highlights why #BYU PGC Fesi Sitake has been so high on the former Bingham standout. Dealt with a lot of injuries in his career, finally becoming a key piece in the passing game.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
First career TD catch for former @BinghamFB standout Brayden Cosper in his #BYU career.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/rhZDK0mgzj
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 25, 2022
.@AsapPuka and @CosperBrayden snagged a pair of nice catches and helped @BYUfootball take a four-point lead into halftime. π€ π΅#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #WYOvsBYUhttps://t.co/QrJOqaWH4r
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 25, 2022
BYU vs Wyoming: Third Quarter
Nice PBU for Gabe Jeudy-Lally. #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
BYU finally breaks off a big run. 25 yards for Miles Davis, biggest run of the night for the Cougars.#WYOvsBYU #GoCougs
β Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) September 25, 2022
Jaren Hall finds Kody Epps for the 3-yard TD pass. BYU goes up 21-10#WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Excellent offensive series by #BYU. Some breathing room. If the BYU defense comes up with a quick stop, they could put the upset-minded underdog to rest.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
#BYU DT Joshua Larsen is down with an injury. Being attended to by trainers. He’s walking gingerly off the field on his own.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
BYU’s defense is playing much more assignment sound in this second half. Guys staying in lanes etc. #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Kingsley Suamataia is helped off the field. Nursing his right knee. #BYU is cursed with injuries again.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Jaren Hall is playing some of his best football tonight.
After that pass to Cosper to move the chains, he’s completing 82% of his passes. π #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
Late night game against a G5 team, #BYU pulls in a crowd over 60K.
Attendance tonight: 60,092.#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Let college athletes celebrate.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that Keanu Hill was flagged for celebrating.
Give me a break. Let’s have some fun. #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
BYU vs Wyoming: Fourth Quarter
Wyoming gets a TD pass from Andrew Peasley to make it 28-17 as the fourth quarter begins#WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Ryan Rehkow shows off that massive leg again. Booming punt is good for 59 yards and pins Wyoming down at the seven yard line. #WYOvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Walk-on DL Hunter Greer with a TFL for BYU there#WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Guys are dropping like flies in this game.
The injury bug is really biting #BYU π
Hope that Payton Wilgar is ok. #BYUFootball
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
Coming into the season, some of the #BYU players called Micah Harper the hardest hitter on the team. Showed a glimpse of that on the TFL. Nice play from Harper.#WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Puka Nacua takes a hard hit after he lost his footing and he isn’t getting up.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
BYU’s defense is swarming. This is more of what we saw vs. Baylor vs. what we saw against Oregon #WYOvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) β Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 25, 2022
Keanu Hill SZN. Breakout game with no Romney, Roberts and a limited Nacua. 5 catches, 160 yards and two touchdowns. #WYOvsBYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs
β Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) September 25, 2022
We are watching a future 1st round NFL draft pick at Jaren Hall.
He has been electric against Wyoming. Incredible stuff from QB1. #BYU #BYUFootball
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 25, 2022
Justen Smith is coming out to attempt the field goal instead of Jake Oldroyd.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 25, 2022
Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports Contributor. He is the Producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter
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