Tyler Allgeier Carries BYU To Road Victory Over Washington State

PULLMAN, Washington – Tyler Allgeier ran all over the Washington State Cougars and helped the BYU Cougars bounce back from back-to-back losses with a big road win.

Washington State hosted BYU at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington on Saturday, October 23.

BYU beat Washington State, 21-19.

With the win, the Cougars became bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season.

 

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1st quarter: Quick offensive fireworks

The emotions were high in this BYU-Washington State with the backdrop of Nick Rolovich being fired as head coach.

Rolo’s former team on offense came out firing to win one for their old coach. BYU brought out a nickel package that featured walk-on defensive back Jacob Boren as a starter. Washington State QB Jayden de Laura and RB Max Borghi went to work as the Crimson Cougs got on the scoreboard first with a Borghi touchdown run.

BYU’s offense then took the field and had an immediate answer as Tyler Allgeier set the tone for the Cougs from Provo with some big runs.

BYU picked up a big 3rd & 1 in their own territory with 12 personnel that featured Jaren Hall going QB sneak to move the sticks.

The drive was capped off by a Lopini Katoa touchdown. It was the first rushing TD by a player not named Tyler Allgeier.

BYU scores off of a 3 yard run by Lopini Katoa. Score tied 7-7 with 6:04 left in the first quarter.#GoCougs #Wazzu pic.twitter.com/UJfhFkmW0S

— COUGFANcom (@CougfanCOM) October 23, 2021

BYU’s momentum continued to climb with a Malik Moore interception. The Cougs couldn’t capitalize though as they went three and out the following possession. Punter Ryan Rehkow flipped the field booming a 66-yard punt.

2nd Quarter: Offensive stumbles

Washington State opened up the second punt with a shanked punt, giving BYU some momentum.

Jaren Hall and the BYU offense moved into Washington State territory but then got conservative. On 3rd & 16, BYU ran the football with Tyler Allgeier to set up a Jake Oldroyd field goal. Oldroyd then missed the attempt.

The next time BYU’s offense got the ball, they were deep in WSU territory again. On 3rd & 5, BYU gave the rock to Allgeier to set up a go-for-it scenario on fourth down.

BYU did in fact go for it on fourth, but they got a little cute with the play call. Jaren Hall handed the ball off to tight end Dallin Holker on a reverse. From the beginning, the play looked to be on bad footing the moment it was snapped. Washington State took over on downs.

Speaking of snaps, BYU captain James Empey went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He went to the medical tent and was placed on crutches.

3rd Quarter: Tone setters

The start of the third quarter had a similar vibe to how the first quarter started. Both teams came out with a pair of touchdowns.

BYU was led by Jaren Hall and Tyler Allgeier. Hall was dealing through the air with completions to Isaac Rex, Neil Pau’u, and Samson Nacua. Then BYU’s featured back Allgeier went to work with some big runs that put him over the century mark for the game.

Allgeier put a bow on the drive with a touchdown run that gave BYU its first lead of the day.

Allgeier puts @BYUfootball on top 💪 pic.twitter.com/85Xo3x59d6

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 23, 2021

Washington State answered with some tempo. BYU nickelback Jacob Boren was being targeted in the passing game by WSU. He stepped up to make a pass breakup against Calvin Jackson Jr. Then Jackson Jr. got revenge with a first down grab to put the Cougs from the Palouse in the red zone.

Max Borghi then punched it in with his second touchdown of the day.

The PAT was botched by Washington State as the hold was muffed. WSU’s holder/punter Nick Haberer had enough time to pass the football to a wide-open target in the endzone for two, but he couldn’t get the pass downfield.

The missed PAT gave BYU a slim 14-13 lead heading into the fourth.

4th Quarter

BYU’s offense at the end of the third quarter got into the red zone and set up a 3rd & Goal situation to start the fourth quarter.

With Tyler Allgeier in the backfield, you knew where the ball was going. Allgeier ran the ball up the middle for his second touchdown, and it put BYU up 21-13.

There's no stopping @tylerallgeier17 today 🔋

He adds on another TD for @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/tZEpogX76r

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 23, 2021

The strong contingent of BYU fans that made the trip had something to cheer about as chants of “B-Y-U! B-Y-U!” began reigning down from the endzone of Gesa Field at Martin Stadium.

Washington State’s offense couldn’t answer as Malik Moore nearly had two interception opportunities on the same drive.

BYU took over and couldn’t shut the door on the game as they went three-and-out. Samson Nacua dropped a 3rd & 5 pass from Hall near the first down market to send the ball back to Wazzu.

The Cougars scored a touchdown midway through the final quarter but failed to convert a two-point try.

BYU ran the clock out and captured the win.

 

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With the win, the Cougars improved to a record of 6-2 on the season.

BYU’s next game is a home contest against the Virginia Cavaliers and former Cougar head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The Virginia vs. BYU game will start on Saturday, October 30 at 8:15 p.m. (MDT). It will be broadcast on ESPN2 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 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.