Maintaining momentum, finding more offensive consistency were BYU’s objectives during bye week

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff greets fans after an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco, Texas. | Jerry Larson

Some not-so-distant history is working against BYU as the No. 14 Cougars (5-0) come off their bye week and look ahead to Saturday’s 2 p.m. kickoff with the Arizona Wildcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The last time BYU was 5-0, the then-No. 10 Cougars were riding high after wins over Arizona, Utah, Arizona State, USF and Utah State when the turnover bug bit on Oct. 9, 2019, and they were upset 26-17 by an unranked Boise State team that was 2-3 entering the rivalry matchup.

Jaren Hall threw for 302 yards, but four turnovers doomed BYU to its first of three losses that year.

The last time BYU had a bye, after beating Cincinnati 35-27 in Provo on Sept. 29, 2023, it lost some of that momentum as it headed off to Fort Worth, Texas, the following week and was walloped 44-11 by so-so TCU.

Of course, this is a different BYU team than the one that faltered in 2023 after a 4-1 start, or the one in 2021 that had defeated Utah, Arizona State and USF at home, Arizona in Las Vegas, and Utah State in Logan.

This team has won with outstanding defense and just enough offense, particularly against SMU and Baylor. That defense will be tested Saturday at LES as Arizona brings plenty of offensive weapons into Provo.

Arizona (3-2, 1-1) downed No. 16 Utah 23-10 the last time it was in the Beehive State, but couldn’t duplicate that stingy defensive performance late Saturday night at home, falling 28-22 to new Big 12 leader Texas Tech (5-1, 3-0).

Tahj Brooks ran for 128 yards and scored three TDs for the Red Raiders, who are now atop the Big 12 standings but aren’t scheduled to play BYU this season.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was 28 of 49 for 301 yards and no touchdowns, with two…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/maintaining-momentum-finding-more-offensive-235746654.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-10-06 23:57:46

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