No. 12 BYU Falls Flat In Crushing Loss Against No. 25 Oregon
Sep 17, 2022, 9:00 AM | Updated: 5:03 pm

Courtesy of BYU Photo
EUGENE, Ore.Β – No. 12 BYU never got it going against No. 25 Oregon, falling to the Ducks 41-20 in a blowout loss. After the emotional high of last week’s win over Baylor, the Cougars fell flat in a disappointing loss to Oregon. From the kickoff, BYU was unable to match the energy and push of the Ducks.
No. 25 Oregon defeats No. 12 BYU 41-20. pic.twitter.com/w0f2AZvP62
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 17, 2022
Oregon got off to a 10-0 lead before BYU was able to find the end zone. After that Isaac Rex touchdown catch, the Ducks would score 28 unanswered points. BYU’s kicking woes continued as Jake Oldroyd missed a 38-yard field goal, allowing Oregon to score and take a 24-7 lead at halftime.
The second half was much of the same, as the Ducks quickly scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the half. After gaining a commanding 38-7 lead, Oregon sat starting quarterback Bo Nix. The Cougars tried to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns and forcing Oregon to put back in their starting quarterback. Oregon held on for a 41-20 win over BYU.
BYU Falls Flat Against Oregon
The BYU defense couldn’t get stops, as Oregon scored on their first six offensive drives. The Ducks moved the ball with ease, amassing 439 total yards and punishing BYU on the ground. Baylor ran the ball 52 times last week and Oregon matched them with 44 rushing attempts in the game. They found much more success in the run game, totaling 212 yards and 4.8 yards per attempt.
The Cougars couldn’t find points on offense, despite moving the ball decently well. They were good on third down, converting 8-15, but came up 0-4 on fourth down. The BYU run game never got going against the talented Oregon defense. Their 24 rushes were good for just 61 yards, an average of 2.5 yards per attempt.
#BYU WR Kody Epps scores his first career touchdown.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball #GoCougs
πΈ: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/qfhYTA32eg
β KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 17, 2022
Quarterback Jaren Hall was effective, completing 29-41 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Without their top two receivers yet again, BYU’s other pass catchers stepped up. Hall distributed the ball to nine different receivers. Kody Epps was a favorite target on the day, hauling in a team-leading five receptions for 45 yards and his first career touchdown reception. Chase Roberts followed up his big performance last week with four catches for 60 yards.
BYU (2-1) will look to bounce back in Provo next week as the Wyoming Cowboys (3-1) come to town for a Saturday night matchup. Oregon (2-1) will begin Pac-12 Conference play next week on the road against Washington State.
BYU vs Oregon: First Quarter
Strong showing from #BYU fans here at Autzen Stadium.#BYUvsORE @kslsports pic.twitter.com/j8hrK0bnsl
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Hobbs Nyberg back in the lineup this week for the Cougars. He did not play in the first two games to start the season #BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
A bubble screen on 4th & 7? That’s one #BYU is going to want back. #BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Not an ideal start for #BYU π
They donβt convert a 4th down chance offensively and then the Ducks convert several big plays to get on the board first. #BYUvsOU @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
Duck fans are loud here at Autzen Stadium. Poor tackling from #BYU on the opening defensive series, and the athleticism from Oregon was on display. Ducks strike first.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
#BYU‘s response to the Oregon TD? A three-and-out. Then a late hit penalty on BYU on punt team. The worst start possible for BYU has happened.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
YPC difference is eye opening here in the first quarter.
Oregon: 9.2 YPC on 6 carries
BYU: 1.6 YPC on 5 carries. #BYUFootball #BYU @kslsportsβ Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
BYU holds Oregon to a field goal. Time for Jaren Hall to go get some points. #BYUFootball #BYUvsORE
β Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) September 17, 2022
#BYU starting DB Kaleb Hayes is currently in the medical tent.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball @kslsports
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
#BYU‘s offense gaining momentum on this drive to end the first quarter. Lopini Katoa picked up a pair of hard fought first downs. Then Chris Brooks is starting to get going. #BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
BYU vs Oregon: Second Quarter
Per the #BYU Sports Network (on @kslnewsradio), #BYU DB Kaleb Hayes is OUT with an undisclosed injury.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
#BYU desperately needed that touchdown. Career touchdown No. 16 for Rex.
The tight ends are due for a breakout game. https://t.co/JRFhUevf7X
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Absolutely MASSIVE response by the offense and what a throw by Jaren Hall to Rex.
Now itβs the defenses turn to make a play. #BYUvsOU #BYU @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
#BYU gives up a 50-yard bomb that was all through the air by Oregon QB Bo Nix.
Ducks attack with the deep ball after Kaleb Hayes goes out.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
That was a GRAB by Kody Epps! #BYU offense doing a nice job on third down today.
3-5 so far. #BYUvsORE @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
Excellent protection from #BYU‘s offensive line on 3rd & 11. Gives Jaren Hall the time and he connects with Brayden Cosper. Big play for #BYU‘s offense.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Jake Oldroyd’s 38-yard field goal attempt is no good. Three consecutive misses dating back to last week now for #BYU‘s starting kicker. #BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Oregon’s O-line is dominating in this game. BYU’s D-line performance from last week hasn’t shown up #BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
Oregon has scored on every offensive drive this game.
Not a great showing by the #BYU defense who played so well last week. #BYUvsORE @kslsports
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
Oregon is averaging 5.6 yards per carry in the first half.
The Ducks four ball carriers are all having success against #BYU‘s defense, plus Bo Nix with two rushing TDs.
BYU defense badly needs some second half adjustments.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
BYU vs Oregon: Third Quarter
BYU LB Keenan Pili has entered the medical tent.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
No energy on the #BYU sideline. They look completely deflated.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Preseason All-Pac-12 DE Brandon Dorlus stuffed #BYU RB Chris Brooks on the Cougars 4th & 1 attempt from their own 36.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Ball game. #BYU π had to go for it the way the defense has played today.
β Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 17, 2022
Chants of “OVERRATED” are beginning from Oregon’s student section.#BYUvsORE #BYU #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
#BYU Sports Network reports from the sideline that Keenan Pili suffered a finger injury on his left hand. He’s available to return to the game.
So there’s some good news.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Six drives, six scores (5 TD/1 FG) for Oregon. Efficient#BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
#BYUFootball‘s drives have ended Downs, Punt, TD, Miss FG, Downs, Downs#BYUvsOregon l @KSLSports
β Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) September 17, 2022
Oregon brings in backup QB Ty Thompson. On his first play from scrimmage, the Ducks offense loses 26 yards on a fumbled screen. #BYU‘s defense couldn’t come up with the takeaway.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
BYU vs Oregon: Fourth Quarter
BYU struggling to run the ball…good thing they have Wyoming next week, who (checks notes) held down Air Force’s vaunted triple-option in a 17-14 upset win last night. #BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
First career touchdown for #BYU WR Kody Epps comes in the early part of the fourth quarter against Oregon.#BYUvsORE #BYUFootball #GoCougs
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Kody Epps TD. Nice throw by Hall there. That’s an NFL throw#BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
Ben Bywater interception on the deflection. Can BYU make this game interesting?#BYUvsORE #GoCougs
β Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) September 17, 2022
BYU lucky on that TD there. Hall nearly botched it. Chris Brooks punches it in for the TD in the end#BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
Two-point attempts have not produced #BYU‘s finest moments the past two weeks.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Bo Nix is back in the game for Oregon with 10:39 remaining in the 4th quarter.
β Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2022
Comeback is over. First down run after first down run for Oregon with their first-stringers back in the game#BYUvsOregon #BYUfootball #BYU
β Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) September 17, 2022
Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports Contributor. He is the Producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him onΒ Twitter.