Instant Takeaways From BYU’s Double Overtime Win Over Baylor
Sep 11, 2022, 12:44 AM | Updated: Sep 13, 2022, 1:53 pm
PROVO, Utah – No. 21 BYU football takes down No. 9 Baylor in double overtime, 26-20.
The victory gives BYU its first win over a top 10 opponent in Provo since the win over No. 1 Miami in 1990.
Here are some instant takeaways from BYU’s victory.
BYU’s defense showed they are improved from last season
Multiple times in the fourth quarter and the overtime sessions, BYU’s defense stepped up and rose to the occasions to get a much needed stop.
There were a lot of questions about that side of the ball coming into the season, but they proved this is a different unit. The pressure they created on Baylor QB Blake Shapen, along with the physicality they showed in the trenches. This was not the same group that was handled last year in Waco.
Chase Roberts is the next big star at receiver for BYU
With Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney out, it opened the door for redshirt freshman Chase Roberts to see a ton of time.
He proved why he is the next big star at BYU. Big catches. Toe tap touchdown grab, and even had a touchdown pass to Jaren Hall.
Also, the first down grab on a busted coverage from Baylor was a picturesque route.
Roberts finished with eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown on 15 targets.
Max Tooley is like a missile on the field
Since last year’s USC game, Max Tooley has been playing at another level. There was a lot of talk about the returns of Payton Wilgar and Keenan Pili, but it has been Tooley through two weeks who has been BYU’s star at linebacker.
BYU got the physicality memo from Sitake
That was one of the most physical BYU football games I’ve covered during my time in the media since 2014. Every snap in the trenches was an absolute battle.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake called out his players on the lack of physicality last year in Waco, the message was received and it showed tonight.
Big 12 After Dark is off to a great start
With 10 minutes remaining, the game was tied at 20 in the fourth quarter. Have to imagine Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark was excited with the potential product his league will have when BYU joins next year.
It ends with a thrilling double-overtime victory for BYU that gives the Cougars a bit of revenge over the Bears who were the Big 12 champs a season ago.
The late-night television window for the Big 12 is going to be new as it was something that was a big storyline for Baylor people coming into the matchup. But it was an entertaining game to cap off a wild week in college football.
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 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
