BYU Cougars Open 2021 Season With Victory Over Arizona Wildcats

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Jaren Hall and the BYU Cougars opened the 2021 season with a neutral site victory over the Arizona Wildcats.

The Cougars and Wildcats played at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, on Saturday, September 4.

BYU and Arizona met for the 25th meeting all-time, dating back to 1936.

The Cougars defeated the Wildcats, 24-16.

The stage is set @LasVegasBowl pic.twitter.com/J1u4sX9KfU

— Allegiant Stadium (@AllegiantStadm) September 4, 2021

This is the first-ever Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium. The crowd is expected to produce a record-setting attendance number to watch a college sporting event in the state of Nevada.

BYU enters the game as the sizable favorite. The last time BYU was a double-digit favorite against a Power Five team was against Washington State in 2012. BYU won that game 30-6.

Many eyes will be on quarterback Jaren Hall throughout this game. Hall earned the QB1 nod after a fall camp where he displayed the best arm strength, made the fewest mistakes, and delivered the most explosive plays. Characteristics that defined BYU’s offense a season ago under the direction of now New York Jets starter Zach Wilson.

Good morning from Allegiant Stadium! 😎 #BYUvsAZ #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/UdEWcGa0ks

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 4, 2021

What helps Jaren Hall in his first season-opening start is that he has one of the nation’s top running backs to hand the ball off to. Tyler Allgeier returns for BYU after a 1,000-yard season a year ago.

On defense, BYU has a lot of new faces stepping into key roles. But a majority of BYU’s starters on defense have all played significant game reps. They are headlined by a linebacker unit that features Butkus Award candidate Payton Wilgar.

For Arizona, the Wildcats are a mysterious team. New head coach Jedd Fisch comes from the New England Patriots where he was the QB coach on Bill Belichick’s staff. Everything at Arizona is new. A total of 147 of the 200 football personnel in the Wildcat program are in their first season.

Expectations are low for Fisch and the Wildcats in year one. They might have a tall order in front of them against a BYU team that is determined to show last year’s 11-1 record wasn’t a fluke.

At the half, so far, so good for #BYU. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/xTZMuMgi8M

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

#BYU's defense bends, but doesn't break.

Cougars hold off Arizona to a 28-yard field goal.@BYUfootball – 14 @ArizonaFBall – 3

0:13 | 2nd #BYUvsAZ #BYU #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Sack for Keenan Pili. One of the top tacklers in the program. Then Earl Tuioti-Mariner finished him off. Much needed pressure for #BYU as Arizona was moving with ease. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Kalani Sitake gave Zach Wilson a hug immediately after he saw his former QB on the big screen. #BYU #BYUFootball https://t.co/fkaO8C3x95 pic.twitter.com/ZLSBUk0gnM

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

New York Jets starting QB @ZachWilson receives loud cheers from @BYUfootball fans.#BYUvsAZ #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/5r3UVrHZfK

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Aaron Roderick and Fesi Sitake consistently told the media this off-season and during camp, "Neil Pau'u is the most underappreciated player in our program."#BYUvsAZ #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

🧨🧨Explosive Play🧨🧨

Jaren Hall connects with Neil Pau'u for a 67-yard TD pass.@BYUfootball – 14@ArizonaFBall – 0

2:06 | 2nd #BYUvsAZ #BYU #GoCougs

📷: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/g13sX1uNXf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Jaren Hall to Neil Pau'u … 67 yards … Touchdown. #BYUvsAZ #BYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

That's explosive.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Near interception for Jakob Robinson. Former Utah State, Orem High DB was a riser on the depth chart. Going to be a big piece of the defense this year at the nickel spot. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Heard on #BYU Sports Network: Gunner Romney left to the locker room on crutches. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Tyler Allgeier is one of the best running backs in college football this year. He's a special talent. #BYU #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

For the first time in 2021: TOUCHDOWN #BYU!

Tyler Allgeier with the 15-yard TD run, one play after a trick pass from Neil Pau'u to Jaren Hall.@BYUfootball – 6@ArizonaFBall – 0

9:17 | 2nd #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball #GoCougs

📷: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/MBp5Nm8F8V

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Nice pass from Jaren Hall on 4th & 5 to Chris Jackson.

Jackson had a nice fall camp. He's getting more run tonight now that Gunner Romney is banged up.#BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

1st Quarter

Scoreless after one.#BYUvsAZ #BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/XydAJ6kidW

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Gunner Romney is limping off the field on his own. Romney has viewed this season as his senior year. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Fans from both #BYU and Arizona applaud Keenan Ellis as he is carted off the field after suffering a head injury.#BYUvsAZ pic.twitter.com/oull1x3YNq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

#BYU football team takes a knee as they watch teammate Keenan Ellis receiving medical attention from trainers after an injury. #BYUvsAZ pic.twitter.com/1tauWtIdb6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

#BYU AD Tom Holmoe is down on the field with the team and head coach Kalani Sitake as medical professionals continue to attend to Keenan Ellis.#BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Stretcher and a medical vehicle is being brought out for Keenan Ellis who remains down on the field. #BYU #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Oh man. Scary situation there for Keenan Ellis. Players immediately waved for trainers to come on the field after Ellis tried to make a tackle. #BYU #BYUFootball #BYUvsAZ @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

#BYU's defensive line without Lopa: Batty, "Gumby" Summers, Earl Tuioti-Mariner, Pepe Tanuvasa.#BYUFootball #BYUvsAZ @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Uriah Leiataua was down on the field. Was nursing his arm. Kalani Sitake talked to him on the sideline to show support.

Leiataua, who has had numerous injuries in his #BYU career tossed his helmet out of frustration before going in the medical tent. #BYUFootball #BYUvsAZ

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Ben Bywater getting the start at linebacker in replace of an injured Max Tooley. #BYU #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Masen Wake is back again with the hurdle. #BYU picks up a clutch 3rd & 6. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 5, 2021

Pro-BYU crowd. 🔵🔵🔵#BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/riMeMiIY1f

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

Pregame observations

–Allegiant Stadium is incredible. A $2 billion stadium and it feels like a primetime venue.

Storylines to watch for #BYUvsAZ.

🎙: @Mitch_Harper & @baiamontematt #BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/A03wIAKUka pic.twitter.com/1SL4Hj4ZbR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

–Received the travel roster. The offensive linemen listed on the roster, Campbell Barrington, Clark Barrington, James Empey, Blake Freeland, JT Gentry, Brayden Keim, Harris LaChance, Tysen Lewis, Cade Parrish, Joe Tukuafu, and Seth Willis.

–Notable newcomers who made the travel roster: Puka Nacua, Samson Nacua, John Nelson, Blake Mangelson, Jakob Robinson, and Kaleb Hayes.

#BYU 🏈 quick preview from @AllegiantStadm in Las Vegas. @Mitch_Harper and @baiamontematt get you ready for the Vegas Kickoff Classic. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/HbLojcw51w

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

–Running Back Miles Davis is not on the travel roster.

–BYU WRs Puka Nacua and Samson Nacua were listed as game-time decisions. Both players were going through warmups. Linebacker Max Tooley had a brace on his right knee during warmups.

#BYU starting QB Jaren Hall takes the field for pre-game warmups two hours before kickoff. #BYUvsAZ #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/BbC0WkAmLd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 5, 2021

–Players started to come out onto the field. QB Jaren Hall prepares for his first start in a season opener.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.