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No. 14 BYU forces 4 turnovers and beats Arizona 41-19 for its best start to a season since 2020
PROVO, Utah (AP) BYU is thinking big after claiming its best start since 2020.
Jake Retzlaff passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns and the 14th-ranked Cougars forced four turnovers to beat Arizona 41-19 on Saturday.
Darius Lassiter had 86 yards on five catches and Parker Kingston caught a touchdown pass and later threw one on a trick play for BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12).
The Cougars are bowl eligible after missing the postseason a year ago, but they have their sights set on even bigger things.
“It’s cool, but a bowl game is not what we want,” Kingston said. “We want to go to the playoff and we want to go to the national championship. That’s what we’re looking forward to, and not really settling on a bowl game this year.”
Noah Fifita threw for 275 yards and a touchdown to lead Arizona, but he tossed three interceptions and lost a fumble.
“I got to fix a lot of things,” Fifita said. “I got to get better individually. So, (I’m) just not even close to where I want to be individually, and not close to where we need to be offensively.
Tetairoa McMillan had 78 yards on five catches for the Wildcats. He moved into fourth place on the school’s career receiving yards list.
Arizona (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) has lost four straight games in the series with BYU.
BYU forced turnovers on two of its first three defensive plays of the second half, echoing back to how the Cougars seized momentum against Kansas State earlier in the season.
BYU’s Jakob Robinson batted the ball to himself and came down with an interception, setting up a 9-yard touchdown catch by Chase Roberts. Then Harrison Taggart recovered a fumble when Isaiah Glasker stripped Fifita on a sack. That led to a 33-yard field goal from Will Ferrin and extended BYU’s lead to 24-7 less than two minutes into the third.
“Coming in here, we knew that the turnover thing was going to be a big deal and that was something that we didn’t handle great,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said.
LJ Martin scored on a 1-yard run and Glasker scored on a 21-yard interception return in the fourth quarter to seal it for the Cougars.
For the second consecutive week, Arizona got a fourth down stop on its opponent’s opening drive. After Retzlaff threw away a fourth down pass at the Arizona 5, the Wildcats drove 95 yards to get on the board. McMillan’s wide-open 39-yard catch in the flat set up a 14-yard scoring grab by Montana Lemonious-Craig that made it 7-0.
Another fourth down gamble paid off for BYU on its second drive. LJ Martin took a pitch and raced 15 yards on fourth down to get the Cougars in the red zone. Kingston scored on a 20-yard catch one play later to even the score at 7-7.
BYU took a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter when Kingston threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to LJ Martin. Tanner Wall set the scoring drive in motion when he intercepted a pass from Fifita at the BYU 1.
The Cougars covered 99 yards in only seven plays.
“I just liked the play selection,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “I liked the momentum we were getting and I just liked the toughness from the team.”
Arizona: After a strong opening drive, the Wildcats slowly unraveled on offense. Arizona struggled to finish drives and coughed up turnovers deep in its own territory, letting a chance at another road upset over an AP Top 25 opponent slip away.
BYU: An opportunistic defense switched momentum in the Cougars favor after the first quarter. BYU scored 24 points on four takeaways to break open a close game. The Cougars have intercepted 10 passes through six games and had at least three takeaways in a game for the third time this season.
BYU lost starting center Connor Pay after he suffered a fractured foot against Baylor. Bruce Mitchell slid over from guard and made his first career start at center for the Cougars on Saturday. The offense didn’t skip a beat with Mitchell, a redshirt sophomore, snapping the ball.
Retzlaff was not sacked. The Cougars also generated 147 rushing yards while averaging a season-best 5.4 yards on the ground. Teammates and coaches credited Mitchell with playing like a veteran in the new role.
“You’d think a guy like that coming in for his first start at center in his career would be nervous or trying to be too focused,” Retzlaff said. “That guy was making jokes more than I was tonight on the sideline, which is saying something. It just goes to show that guy’s so comfortable and so confident in himself.”
Kingston has completed 3 of 4 passing attempts for 96 yards and three touchdowns in his career. The redshirt sophomore is just the third player in Big 12 history to have multiple career games with a passing and receiving touchdown.
BYU could move up in the AP Top 25 poll after another dominant home win.
Arizona: Hosts Colorado on Saturday.
BYU: Hosts Oklahoma State on Friday.
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N. Fifita
11 QB 275 PaYds, PaTD, 3 INTs, 24 RuYds |
|
J. Retzlaff
12 QB 218 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 28 RuYds |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 25 | 22 |
Rushing | 8 | 9 |
Passing | 15 | 11 |
Penalty | 2 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 11-19 | 4-11 |
4th Down Conv | 1-4 | 1-2 |
Total Net Yards | 389 | 398 |
Total Plays | 84 | 60 |
Avg Gain | 4.6 | 6.6 |
Net Yards Rushing | 114 | 147 |
Rush Attempts | 32 | 27 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.6 | 5.4 |
Yards Passing | 275 | 251 |
Comp. - Att. | 26-52 | 19-33 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.9 | 7.6 |
Penalties - Yards | 8-51 | 3-39 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 5 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 3 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 1-36.0 | 3-42.0 |
Return Yards | 12 | 24 |
Punts - Returns | 1-12 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 3-24 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
N. Fifita
11 QB
|
N. Fifita | 26/52 | 275 | 1 | 3 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Reescano
3 RB
|
K. Reescano | 9 | 48 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Conley
7 RB
|
Q. Conley | 13 | 39 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Fifita
11 QB
|
N. Fifita | 7 | 24 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Luke
30 RB
|
K. Luke | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. McMillan
4 WR
|
T. McMillan | 9 | 5 | 78 | 0 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lemonious-Craig
5 WR
|
M. Lemonious-Craig | 6 | 5 | 43 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Murphy
0 WR
|
R. Murphy | 2 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Burnett
88 TE
|
K. Burnett | 6 | 3 | 34 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Conley
7 RB
|
Q. Conley | 6 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Patterson
2 WR
|
J. Patterson | 5 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Reescano
3 RB
|
K. Reescano | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Olson
84 TE
|
S. Olson | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hyatt
13 WR
|
D. Hyatt | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hunter
16 WR
|
C. Hunter | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Lolesio
42 DL
|
D. Lolesio | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Smith
12 DB
|
G. Smith | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. Loop
33 K
|
T. Loop | 2/2 | 47 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Salgado-Medina
19 K
|
M. Salgado-Medina | 1 | 36.0 | 1 | 36 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Patterson 2 WR
|
J. Patterson | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. Retzlaff
12 QB
|
J. Retzlaff | 18/32 | 218 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Kingston
11 WR
|
P. Kingston | 1/1 | 33 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
H. Ropati
7 RB
|
H. Ropati | 9 | 65 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Martin
27 RB
|
L. Martin | 11 | 49 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Retzlaff
12 QB
|
J. Retzlaff | 6 | 28 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Marion
17 WR
|
K. Marion | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Lassiter
5 WR
|
D. Lassiter | 11 | 5 | 86 | 0 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Roberts
2 WR
|
C. Roberts | 6 | 5 | 61 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Martin
27 RB
|
L. Martin | 3 | 3 | 46 | 1 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hill
1 TE
|
K. Hill | 3 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Kingston
11 WR
|
P. Kingston | 2 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Marion
17 WR
|
K. Marion | 2 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Phillips
13 WR
|
J. Phillips | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Ta'ase
88 TE
|
M. Ta'ase | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Davis
4 RB
|
M. Davis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Fakahua
22 TE
|
M. Fakahua | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Swanson
80 TE
|
R. Swanson | 2 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
I. Glasker
16 LB
|
I. Glasker | 1-0 | 1.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Wall
28 S
|
T. Wall | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Robinson
0 CB
|
J. Robinson | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. Ferrin
44 K
|
W. Ferrin | 2/2 | 39 | 5/5 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. Vander Haar
35 P
|
S. Vander Haar | 3 | 42.0 | 2 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:19 | ARIZ 5 | 4:52 | 11 | 95 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:30 | ARIZ 25 | 3:20 | 7 | 47 | INT |
6:30 | ARIZ 25 | 4:47 | 11 | 51 | Downs |
0:09 | ARIZ 12 | 0:09 | 1 | -1 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | ARIZ 25 | 0:05 | 1 | 0 | INT |
14:50 | ARIZ 25 | 0:42 | 2 | -10 | Fumble |
13:11 | ARIZ 35 | 2:11 | 6 | 15 | Punt |
9:52 | ARIZ 49 | 3:40 | 8 | 22 | FG |
1:47 | ARIZ 25 | 7:45 | 18 | 72 | FG |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
5:38 | ARIZ 25 | 2:40 | 11 | 75 | TD |
2:48 | ARIZ 32 | 0:55 | 4 | 4 | Downs |
1:32 | ARIZ 1 | 0:30 | 4 | 0 | INT |
1:02 | ARIZ 25 | 1:02 | 3 | 28 | Game |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | BYU 25 | 6:41 | 12 | 70 | Downs |
3:27 | BYU 25 | 4:57 | 10 | 75 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:10 | BYU 1 | 3:40 | 7 | 99 | TD |
1:43 | BYU 24 | 1:34 | 5 | 20 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:55 | ARIZ 9 | 0:05 | 1 | 9 | TD |
14:08 | ARIZ 15 | 0:57 | 4 | 0 | FG |
10:54 | BYU 14 | 1:08 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
6:12 | BYU 25 | 4:25 | 10 | 54 | FG |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:02 | BYU 25 | 3:24 | 6 | 75 | TD |
2:58 | ARIZ 33 | 0:10 | 1 | 10 | Fumble |
1:53 | ARIZ 36 | 0:21 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
- Downs (12 plays, 70 yards, 6:41 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) T.Loop kicks 65 yards from ARI 35 to the BYU End Zone. Touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - BYU 25 (15:00 - 1st) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Lassiter. |
+12 YD | 2 & 10 - BYU 25 (14:55 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by C.Roberts for 12 yards. Tackled by ARI at BYU 37. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - BYU 37 (14:17 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by C.Roberts for 9 yards. Tackled by ARI at BYU 46. |
+5 YD | 2 & 1 - BYU 46 (13:06 - 1st) H.Ropati rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 49. PENALTY on ARI-J.Manu Defensive Targeting 15 yards accepted. |
+11 YD | 1 & 10 - ARIZ 34 (12:51 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by K.Marion for 11 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 23. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - ARIZ 23 (12:10 - 1st) J.Retzlaff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Davis. |
+7 YD | 2 & 10 - ARIZ 23 (12:02 - 1st) J.Retzlaff rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 16. |
+5 YD | 3 & 3 - ARIZ 16 (11:22 - 1st) J.Retzlaff rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 11. |
-2 YD | 1 & 10 - ARIZ 11 (10:42 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by R.Swanson for -2 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 13. |
-1 YD | 2 & 12 - ARIZ 13 (9:56 - 1st) J.Retzlaff rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by D.Lolesio at ARI 14. |
+9 YD | 3 & 13 - ARIZ 14 (9:17 - 1st) J.Retzlaff pass complete. Catch made by D.Lassiter for 9 yards. Tackled by ARI at ARI 5. |