New Mexico Bowl: BYU QB Maiava-Peters Keeps For TD On First Possession Against SMU

SALT LAKE CITY – BYU quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters capped the Cougars’ first possession of the New Mexico Bowl with a touchdown run against the SMU Mustangs.

The Mustangs and Cougars played at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, December 17.

With 6:09 left in the opening quarter, BYU decided to go for it with a jumbo package on 4th & Goal from the SMU one-yard line.

Maiava-Peters ran up the middle on a QB keeper and crossed the goal line for the Cougars’ first points of the night.

another view from the TV cam 📺 pic.twitter.com/pu1HSc7zZt

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 18, 2022

The score gave BYU a 7-3 lead.

The touchdown capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive that took 5:52.

After the play, Maiava-Peters had 40 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries. He was also 1/1 passing for six yards.

First drive for QB Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters results in a #BYU touchdown on 4th & Goal from the one.

First career TD for Maiava.#BYUFootball #NewMexicoBowl

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 18, 2022

It was Maiava-Peters’ first career start.

BYU’s bowl game against SMU is broadcast on ABC, KSLSports.com, and KSL NewsRadio.

New Mexico Bowl: SMU vs. BYU

The game marks the final game of the Independence era for BYU. After today, BYU will join the Big 12 Conference starting in 2023.

Both teams come into the New Mexico Bowl with 7-5 records. However, the big story around BYU is at quarterback. Fifth-year junior Jaren Hall is expected to be out, leaving an opening for a new face to emerge as the starting quarterback.

The Cougars will start Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters at quarterback in place of an injured Jaren Hall.

LISTEN LIVE: @BYUfootball concludes the independence era and the 2022 season against SMU in the New Mexico Bowl.

Catch all the action on @kslnewsradio and https://t.co/4kU961UAvR.#GoCougs #BYUFootball https://t.co/A7cn2OajAs pic.twitter.com/4fZTpJ3jrt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 18, 2022

BYU has three players under consideration to get time at quarterback. None of the three quarterbacks have played a snap this season. Those quarterbacks are Boise State transfer Cade Fennegan, Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters, and preferred walk-on Nick Billoups.

“All three guys can do things that are unique and may be different from each other. But we feel really good about all three guys,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake to KSL Sports. “I gave the challenge to (BYU offensive coordinator) A-Rod (Aaron Roderick) to just play the right guy at the right times. We have no tendencies right now with the three [quarterbacks], so just go out and have fun and see what we can do.”

On the opposite sideline, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai is preparing for his final game with the Mustangs. Mordecai, an Oklahoma transfer, is pursuing an NFL career after today’s game.

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