BYU Football Questions Answered In Win Against Boise State
Nov 5, 2022, 8:49 PM | Updated: Nov 8, 2022, 3:54 pm
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – The BYU football team went up to play the Boise State Broncos on the blue turf and walked away with a thrilling 31-28 win.
Let’s answer some burning questions from critical win that snaps a four game losing streak.
RELATED: Hans Olsen’s Film Review: BYU vs. Boise State
Who was the most valuable player for BYU football?
It’s hard to ignore a career high passing yards for Jaren Hall.
He also led multiple fourth quarter scoring drives.
However, Puka Nacua stood out as the most valuable player with a career high 14 catches.
HIM. pic.twitter.com/gAx5NaOcm7
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 6, 2022
Nacua is one of the best players on the team, and offensive Aaron Roderick made sure to get the football as often as possible.
I love how Roderick dialed up a play meant for Nacua on the most important offensive play of the game.
Get the ball to your best players in key moments.
That’s exactly what BYU did against Boise State, and it paid off.
What was the most impactful play of the game?
The final play of the first half was an officiating blunder, and there’s no doubt it had an impact on the game.
With one second remaining, Kalani Sitake elected to try and score a touchdown, rather than attempt a field goal from the one yard line.
Lopini Katoa ran the ball in the middle of the defense and appeared to land on top of the goal line, resulting in a touchdown.
What embarrassing officiating. Stand around and stare at each other and still not make the right call. What an embarrassment for Fox to only have the back of the end zone angle on the goal line. Everyone sucks. #BYUFootball
— Alex Kirry (@AlexKirryKSL) November 6, 2022
Instead, the touchdown signal never came. Officials determined he was short.
The play went to review, but it wasn’t overturned.
Fox didn’t have a camera angle on the goal line that provided a good enough look.
It’s inexcusable in 2022 that games televised on TV don’t have camera angles on the goal line.
Maybe its time to put chips in footballs so it’s clear and indisputable when they cross the goal line.
What was the most interesting stat from the game?
Jaren Hall set a new career high in passing yards with
He was outstanding in the second half, throwing three touchdown passes.
That’s the type of performance that will help his NFL draft stock.
Plenty of adversity, no margin for error, and Hall found a way to make plays time and time again the fourth quarter.
Jaren Hall's 377 passing yards are a career high. Previous career high was 356 against Arkansas this year. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) November 6, 2022
Hall carried the ball 12 times for 83 yards and a touchdown as well.
This is a completely different offense when Hall is making things happen with his legs.
I think it’s safe to say this season would have played out differently had Hall not been injured against Utah State.
When was the game won for BYU football?
Even after the the miraculous Puka Nacua touchdown, Boise State had nearly two minutes to win the game.
The Cougar defense needed to make a play.
Jakob Robinson made that play, breaking up a pass and sealing the win for BYU.
The embattled #BYU defense has their breakthrough moment. Victory formation for #BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 6, 2022
It wasn’t a perfect game, but this was the most complete performance on both sides of the ball since week two in a win against Baylor.
You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter.