PROVO, Utah – The No. 13 BYU football team lost to the UAB Blazers in the Independence Bowl 31-28.

Following a controversial fumble by Samson Nacua, the Blazers were able to run out the clock on the final possession of the game.

It hurts to come up short today, but this team has fought through so much adversity & nothing should be taken away from the work & sacrifice of these players & their families. Love this group & will forever remember this 2021 season. Thx for your support all year Cougar Nation 🤙🏽

— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) December 19, 2021

Here are my three observations from the Independence Bowl loss.

1. Samson Nacua controversial fumble

Trailing by three points, Baylor Romney was leading the offense down the field for a game winning drive.

After picking up a first down on a completion to Masen Wake, Romney looked for Samson Nacua running across the field.

The play resulted in a catch and fumble.

Upon review, I’m not sure how the officials ruled that play a reception.

Kalani Sitake said in the postgame press conference with the media that the Samson Nacua fumble was reviewed by officials. #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 19, 2021

It’s unfortunate for Nacua that his final collegiate play was turnover.

He has been so valuable for BYU this season.

2. Tyler Allgeier in the record books

Allgeier passed Luke Staley for the single season rushing mark in the third quarter against UAB.

What he’s been able to do in two seasons as the feature running back is remarkable.

He’s only one of two players in the history of BYU football to rush for over 1,500 yards in a single season.

What a season for Tyler Allgeier 👏 pic.twitter.com/3pjhraX7Ya

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 18, 2021

This goes down as the single best season by a BYU running back.

Think about that.

Of all the great players that have come through BYU, Allgeier will go down as having the best individual season at running back.

Better than Luke Staley. Better than Harvey Unga.

He may have played his last game in Cougar blue, but he’ll always be remembered for what he accomplished these past two seasons.

3. BYU rush defense

The Cougar run defense was 66th in the country coming into the bowl game at stuffing the run.

They allowed 151 yards per game.

Unfortunately, they weren’t able to hold to that standard against a talented running back in UAB Blazer DeWayne McBride.

He rushed for 183 yards on 28 carries.

It was frustrating to watch McBride put the game away on the ground. Saturday’s game was a tough finish for a BYU defense that struggled with injuries all season long.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.