Hall, Allgeier Shine As BYU Snaps Losing Streak To Rival Utah
Sep 11, 2021, 11:56 PM | Updated: Sep 12, 2021, 7:21 pm
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – Jaren Hall, Tyler Allgeier and the BYU Cougars have snapped the losing streak after picking up a 26-17 win over No. 21 Utah.
Jaren Hall threw for 149 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 92 yards. Tyler Allgeier rushed for 109 yards.
BYU Controls The First Half Of Rivalry Game
The Cougars were only able to get seven yards on the first drive of the game and was forced to punt. When Utah had the ball for the first time, Charlie Brewer threw an interception to Chaz Ah You. The Cougars couldn’t capitalize as they lost yards on their drive and punted.
Utah was able to get one first down on the ensuing drive but Tavion Thomas fumbled for the second time in as many weeks. BYU was able to get a field goal on the board by Jake Oldroyd from 37-yards out to make it 3-0 Cougars with 4:15 remaining in the first quarter.
12 years in the making.
What a week for #BYUFootball. Fans rush the field as the 9 game winning streak comes to an end. #UTAHvsBYU pic.twitter.com/46HEoUV9Zl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 12, 2021
Early in the second quarter, BYU used the running attack to get down the field with Tyler Allgeier and Jaren Hall. The Cougars converted on 4th and 11 with a long run by Hall. That drive ended with a four-yard touchdown grab by Neil Pau’u from Jaren Hall. BYU had a 10-0 lead with 10:37 remaining in the first half.
When things were not looking good for Utah’s offense, they received a spark on a 32-yard run by Micah Bernard up the sideline to set the Utes up in BYU territory. Charlie Brewer threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brant Kuithe to put the Utes on the board. With 7:22 remaining until halftime, BYU held a 10-7 lead.
After forcing BYU to punt, Britain Covey had a 35-yard return to midfield. Utah got to the BYU 8-yard line and Kyle Whittingham decided to go for it on 4th and two. BYU got the stopped and the Utes turned the ball over on downs.
Just before halftime, Hall threw a two-yard TD to former Ute Samson Nacua to give the Cougars a 16-7 lead with four seconds left until halftime.
Utah’s Second Half Comeback Comes Up Short
Both teams were forced to punt on their first possessions of the third quarter. Later in the quarter, Utah had a chance to get three points but Jadon Redding missed a 49-yard attempt.
BYU made key plays on third down on the ensuing drive which resulted in a four-yard TD pass from Hall to Gunner Romney to put the Cougars up 23-7 with 38 seconds left in the third quarter.
Micah Bernard made his case for taking the lead running back spot as he ran in a 22-yard touchdown to trim BYU’s lead to 23-17 with 9:31 remaining in the game.
BYU trucked down the field on the following drive but Utah forced a field goal and the Cougars held a 26-17 lead with 3:17 to play.
With their backs against the wall, Utah was able to get to midfield and had a first down but Money Parks dropped the pass. On fourth down, Brewer overthrew Britain Covey and the Utes turned the ball over on downs with 2:11 remaining.
BYU ran out the clock to seal the win. The Cougars improved their record to 2-0 on the season. They will return to LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, September 18 against Arizona State. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. MDT on ESPN and KSL Newsradio.
Utah dropped to 1-1 on the year. They will be on the road to face San Diego State on Saturday, September 18 against San Diego State. Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. MDT on CBS Sports Network.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.