No. 19 BYU Drops Second Consecutive Game In Loss At Baylor

WACO, Texas – The No. 19 BYU Cougars fell for the second straight week in a road loss to future Big 12 Conference foe Baylor.

The Bears hosted the Cougars at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas on Saturday, October 16.

Baylor beat BYU, 38-24.

Final: @BUFootball takes down No. 19 @BYUFootball 38-24.#BYU falls to 5-2 on the season.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/RbL9xeQkbr

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

1st Quarter

After pregame festivities that saw Baylor roll out the red carpet to BYU for their membership into the Big 12 Conference, there was a game to be played. Both teams opened up with a pair of three-and-outs. It was the BYU defense’s first opening drive three-and-out since the Utah game.

The BYU defense then bent but didn’t break as Payton Wilgar picked off Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon with BU in the redzone to force the Bears’ first interception of the season.

.@WilgarPayton with the pick 💪🛑#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBAYLOR https://t.co/edl9BosQuJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

2nd Quarter

BYU opened up the quarter with a Tyler Allgeier touchdown run from the one-yard line on third & goal. It was one of the few bright spots for BYU in the trenches on the day. But it gave BYU an early lead and momentum on their side.

Touchdown Tyler for the ninth time in 2021. 😤 @tylerallgeier17#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBAYLOR https://t.co/CcZueU6PXJ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

The Bears with their wide zone offensive attack responded as Abram Smith bullied the BYU offensive line into the endzone for a touchdown. Giving Baylor the lead again.

Things continued to go sideways for BYU as Jake Oldroyd missed a 50-yard. Baylor linebacker then got in on Jeff Grimes’ offensive attack with a TD run on the following possession to give Baylor a 17-7 lead.

The aggressive Bears who are known to take risks like BYU continued to be on the prowl as they saw something in BYU’s kick team giving them an opportunity to kick an onside kick. Baylor recovered and took over again. The move didn’t result in any points as BYU’s defense forced a fourth down stop in Baylor’s red zone.

BYU took over with 15 seconds remaining on the clock. They opted to run the football then call a timeout. BYU ran two more plays followed by Baylor timeouts. That then forced BYU to punt back to the Bears giving BU a chance at a hail mary at the final horn. D’Angelo Mandell and Jakob Robinson knocked down the pass sending BYU down 17-7.

3rd Quarter

BYU came out of the quarter on fire offensively as Jaren Hall scrambled to find Puka Nacua for an explosive play to set the tone for the drive. The Cougars got in a tricky spot from their own 44-yard line on 4th & 1. BYU remained aggressive as they did last week in a loss to Boise State. This time, instead of getting stuffed, they converted as Jaren Hall dialed up an RPO, kept the ball and took it to the house for a score.

.@J_tom24 was GONE. 💨#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBAYLOR https://t.co/klfA3HMWqD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 16, 2021

Baylor wasted no time and responded with a drive that showcased running back Abram Smith popping off a 38-yard run. BYU’s depth along the defensive line was being tested as Earl Tuioti-Mariner and Jacob Palu had to leave the drive. Gerry Bohanon converted a 3rd & 6 on a keeper. Two plays later, Bohanon connected with linebacker Dillon Doyle again for his second touchdown of the day.

Mistakes proved costly last week against Boise State, they reared its ugly head again in Waco. BYU was in Baylor territory looking to score again after a 47-yard catch by Puka Nacua, but a few plays later the right side of BYU’s offensive line let free Baylor DE TJ Franklin who hit Jaren Hall’s blindside to knock the ball loose. It resulted in a fumble and Baylor possession.

War General 🤫 pic.twitter.com/B3GaDiK2hH

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 16, 2021

Baylor on the next possession connected with Tyquan Thornton to put them back in scoring position. Abram Smith capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown to put Baylor up 31-14.

4th Quarter

Coming into the week, Baylor coach Dave Aranda said BYU is a “bully” type of team that never gives up in a game. He once worked with Gary Andersen at Utah State, and knows BYU is wired to never rollover. The Cougars kept battling and put together a scoring drive with a 48-yard Jake Oldroyd to put BYU within two scores.

The BYU defense put Baylor in a 3rd & 4 from their own 35, but Baylor RB Trestan Ebner put together a 37-yard run to get the Bears deep in BYU territory, and dash any hopes for BYU of a comeback.

Baylor punched in another touchdown to make it a 38-17 contest with 3:55 left on the clock.

The Cougars scored late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Hall to Puka Nacua. The score made it a 38-14 lead for the Bears.

You could say @AsapPuka is pretty good at football 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/hpN1dCwnOH

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 16, 2021

With the loss, the Cougars fell to a record of 5-2 on the season and put their national ranking status in jeopardy.

BYU’s next game is on the road against the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, October 23. Kickoff time for the game has yet to be announced. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.

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 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.