BYU Vs. Arizona State: Live Updates, Analysis, And More From Top 25 Matchup
Sep 18, 2021, 5:35 PM | Updated: 11:58 pm
LaVell Edwards Stadium in the pregame for BYU vs. Arizona State, a top 25 matchup. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – The 28th meeting featuring BYU vs Arizona State kicks off tonight at LaVell Edwards Stadium. This matchup is the first between the two schools since 1998, and it features two teams ranked in the Top 25 rankings.
Good morning Cougs. IT'S GAME DAY!! pic.twitter.com/ziNhF1oykk
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 18, 2021
Both teams enter the game with 2-0 records. No. 23 BYU is one of only two teams that remains undefeated after playing only Power 5 opponents. The Cougars defeated in-state rival Utah for the first time since 2009 last week.
No. 19 Arizona State hasn’t faced the tests to the level that BYU has this season. The Sun Devils are 2-0 after defeating Southern Utah and UNLV in a pair of games in Tempe. Tonight’s game will be the Sun Devils’ most challenging test to date and their most demanding road environment since 2019.
ASU hasn’t won a game on the road that had fans in the stands since a road win at Cal in September 2019.
Last week’s crowd for BYU’s win over Utah was the first sellout at LES since 2017. The 63,470 fans in attendance made their presence felt on the game, to the point that Sun Devils players and coaches have acknowledged this week the challenging environment they will be playing in on Saturday night.
BYU is coached by Kalani Sitake, who enters the game with a 40-26 overall record, will go up against Herm Edwards. Edwards is 19-13 overall as ASU’s head coach. The Sun Devils are 5-0 in their last five non-conference games against ranked opponents. With the most recent coming under Edwards in 2018 at Michigan State.
This matchup will feature two talented quarterbacks. For BYU, Jaren Hall has done a marvelous job of taking on the role of successor to Zach Wilson. Through two games, Hall has passed for 347 yards and has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions. Hall has also shown off his dual-threat ability as a redshirt sophomore from Spanish Fork as a quarterback rushing for 128 yards.
Leading Arizona State’s offense is junior QB, Jayden Daniels. A former Elite 11 QB, Daniels has passed for 307 yards and ran for 165 yards. This game could produce week three’s best QB matchup of the weekend.
BYU vs Arizona State is a game that you’ll want to keep an eye on throughout the night. Keep checking back here for all of the updates from the Press Box here in Provo.
4th Quarter
3-0! @BYUfootball is rolling.#BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/e5ho0Gp2GX
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
QB Jaren Hall walks off on his own into the locker room before the conclusion of #BYU’s win over ASU. #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/NWsWlf9nDk
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Kalani Sitake and Aaron Roderick have said all along they believe they have three QBs that can win ball games for them.
That play call was proof of that confidence.
Gutsy call. #BYU #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Baylor Romney comes in and throws a TD pass. Potentially ices away the game.
The slip from Baylor had flashes of his TD throw against Boise State two years ago. #BYU #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
#BYU LB Keenan Pili is on crutches down on the sideline. #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Jaren Hall remains in the medical tent. Baylor Romney in at QB for #BYU. #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
#BYU QB Jaren Hall suffered an injury. He’s now in the medical tent.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/Nl0Y8K6cBx
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Outstanding pash rush by Pepe Tanuvasa to get the first sack of the game on Jayden Daniels. #BYU forces the punt and now the offense faces the drive of the season.
A TD score and it’s likely enough to put away ASU. @kslsports #BYUFootball
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
Pepe Tanuvasa off the edge for a sack.
We heard a lot about him in spring and fall camp. Comes up with a big sack for #BYU.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Credit the @byuROC with back to back false start penalties. This place is loud! @kslsports #BYU
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
Tyler Allgeier was a linebacker. Came in handy there 😅
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 19, 2021
Tyler Allgeier with an incredible play. Don't see that very often.
Merlin Robertson had a Pick-Six in front of him and then Allgeier stripped it. #BYU recovers.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Even though the fire went out, still 🔥 effort from @byu_cosmo. 🤙#BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/WSUXFCx2gF
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
3rd Quarter
Three down, one to go.#ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/u9GgRTW4l1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
#BYU is getting gashed on the ground.
Sun Devils at 5 YPC right now.
It’s feeling like it’s going to require 35 points from the Cougar offense to win this one. @kslsports
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
LV Bunkley-Shelton fumbled the punt, but recovered. Can #BYU's defense come up with a takeaway or a stop?
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Touchdown Arizona State.
Daniyel Ngata scores on a 3-yard run.@BYUfootball – 21@ASUFootball – 14#ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
No Chase Lucas for ASU on the opening drive of the second half #BYUvsASU
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 19, 2021
2nd Quarter
HALFTIME
Things going good for the Cougs.#ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/4L6G7eWhhu
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Not a well officiated game.
ASU getting away holding calls left and right. #BYU #BYUFootball
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
TOUCHDOWN #BYU!
BYU offense has found its groove against Arizona State.
Jaren Hall throws a TD pass to Isaac "The Elk" Rex. @BYUfootball – 21@ASUFootball – 7
4:40 | 2nd #ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs
📸: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/fDBCWI4RpQ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Jaren Hall is averaging 20.4 yards per completion right now. #ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Some early struggles for the #BYU offense and Jaren Hall, but they have heated up. Jaren is up to 163 passing yards and two TD's in the first half. #BYUvsASU #GoCougs
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 19, 2021
It was only a matter of time before Isaac Rex found the endzone this season. #ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Aaron Roderick's evolution as an OC has been a great storyline this season.#BYU in the first quarter was stalled offensively. In-game adjustments have been masterful so far.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Gunner Romney is having himself a night against the hometown Sun Devils. #BYU #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Ok that’s a sick play by Jaren Hall to try and get the behind-the-back pass to Lopini.
Didn’t work, but wow. 👀 #BYU
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
2 drops already for Puka Nacua.
He’s gotta make that play. #BYU
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
#BYU unloads the bag of tricks for a TOUCHDOWN!
Double reverse TD pass from Jaren Hall to Gunner Romney for 34 yards.@BYUfootball – 14@ASUFootball – 7
8:54 | 2nd #ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs
📸: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/nHFmOuo6Xu
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Gunner Romney found himself a yard short of touchdowns in 2020.
He’s finding the end zone in 2021.
Awesome throw by Hall to find Romney in the back of the end zone!@kslsports #BYUFootball #BYU
Also – 14 points of TO’s tonight. That’s nice!
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
Gunner Romney gets the TD grab with ASU DB and former Chandler High teammate Chase Lucas in coverage.
Momentum has swung #BYU's way.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
"SPECIAL"
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Outstanding block by Blake Freeland to spring Dallin Holker for their biggest offensive play of the game. #BYU @kslsports #BYUFootball
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
#BYU +2 in the TO battle for a second straight week.
Offense only has 12 yards of offense.
They need to capitalize here. @kslsports #BYUFootball
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 19, 2021
The strength of #BYU's defense was on display in that takeaway.
Payton Wilgar makes an excellent read and Max Tooley shows great athleticism picking off the tipped ball.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Payton Wilgar is very good at tackling #GoCougs #BYUvsASU
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 19, 2021
1st Quarter
Top 25 showdown in Provo is tied up through one.#ASUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/gI3Mrw5Agl
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Total yards in the 1st quarter:
Arizona State – 137
BYU – 12Sun Devils defensive line has been dominating in the trenches early on in this one.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Ryan Rehkow is good enough to make punts highlight worthy.#BYU #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Jayden Daniels through ASU's first three offensive drives…
7-8, 110 yards, QB Rating 203. #ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
This masked singer bit is something… pic.twitter.com/Do0H8qsSje
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Jaren Hall and the #BYU offense take over from their own 1-yard line. #ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
ASU has the best skill talent #BYU will face this season. They have NFL talent all over their offense. Could this be an old fashioned WAC shootout?#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Only 37 seconds of game time has passed and #BYU is already on the board.
TOUCHDOWN Tyler Allgeier!@BYUfootball – 7 @ASUFootball – 0
📸: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/rpb2ByqvTm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
This is a great jersey matchup tonight 😍 #BYUvsASU #GoCougs
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 19, 2021
Wow. What a start for #BYU. Talmage Gunther with the hit and Hayden Livingston recovers the fumble.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Justen Smith kicking off again. Jake Oldroyd is dressed, attempted a few kicks in pregame. #BYU #BYUFootball #ASUvsBYU @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Pregame
Let’s do this!#ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/Lei14a22jN
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
#BYU vs. Arizona State will begin on ESPNEWS at 8:20 p.m. Then switch over to ESPN after the conclusion of Georgia vs. South Carolina. #BYUFootball #ASUvsBYU @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
Noticed Victory Vaka on the sideline in pregame warmups. He will be joining the #BYU program in January. Talented defensive lineman who once was committed to Texas A&M. #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
The @byuroc is ready for tonight’s whiteout. ⚪️ ⚪️ #ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/cYoCSepJGZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
.@BYUfootball is celebrating its @CottonBowlGame team from 1996.#BYU finished 14-1 and ranked No. 5 in the final polls that year.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OHJUZWJVwh
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
Jaren Hall getting ready for a night at the office. 🤙 🏈 #ASUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/ATJCKDxMuy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
#BYU head coach Kalani Sitake enters LES embracing members of the 1996 Cotton Bowl team.#BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/8iKMvStmaP
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 19, 2021
New week, same Kalani Sitake energy with the @byuroc.#BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/mPTBJ0lnh2
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
#BYU is passing out rally towels for fans attending tonight’s game at LES against Arizona State.#ASUvsBYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/X2PlNLlHRe
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 19, 2021
No. 23 BYU vs. No. 19 Arizona State gameday info
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
All-time series: Arizona State leads 20-7
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.
