Tyler Allgeier Runs For Career Night As BYU Takes Down Utah State

LOGAN, Utah – The BYU/Utah State rivalry or maybe better known as the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel goes in favor of the Cougars once again.

For the second consecutive meeting, BYU comes away victorious in Logan taking down Utah State 34-20.

Here’s a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of how tonight’s game at Maverik Stadium on Friday, October 1, 2021, played out.

BYU/Utah State: 1st Quarter

Utah State instantly brought the tempo with their high-flying offense. The first drive stalled however after BYU safety Malik Moore made an acrobatic catch to give the ball to Baylor Romney and the BYU offense.

BYU’s first offensive series led by the cool, calm Romney wasn’t smooth on the first play as Connor Pay, who’s filling in for the injured James Empey had a high snap over Romney’s head. That ended up not costing BYU as the Aggies were called for a penalty. Romney, who always says its his strength to get the ball to the playmakers worked the field with Puka Nacua then his brother Gunner and finally Tyler Allgeier got BYU on the board first with a touchdown scamper.

Through one quarter in Logan.@BYUfootball with an early lead on @USUFootball. #GoCougs #AggiesAllTheWay #BYUvsUSU pic.twitter.com/iKKojU5T7A

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2021

BYU’s defense forced a quick three-and-out that happened in the blink of an eye, giving BYU’s offense the ball again. That possession led to more points and BYU was quickly up 10-0.

Utah State’s offense started to heat up on their next series on a 3rd & 8 from Logan Bonner connecting with Deven Thompkins. The Aggies drive then stalled but it set up a Conner Coles 52-yard field goal, a career-high.

2nd Quarter

Two plays into the quarter, Baylor Romney connected with tight end to his left in the flat for a touchdown. Then Utah State’s offense put together a seven-minute, 18-play drive capped by a McGriff touchdown grab.

No. 13 @BYUfootball with the lead over @USUFootball at the half. #BYUvsUSU #GoCougs #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/wwoumEOnxt

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2021

The two teams went into the halftime locker room with BYU leading 24-13 after Tyler Allgeier popped off a rumbling, stumbling, bumbling 59-yard touchdown run.

3rd Quarter

Coming into the second half, freshman quarterback Jacob Conover was taking pregame snaps with Connor Pay under center. Baylor Romney suffered a head injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the game. It’s similar to what happened to Jaren Hall two years ago in Logan.

This was Conover’s first game action and instantly you could tell he was rattled. The first two possessions for BYU’s offense, the Cougars have gone three-and-out. BYU’s defense stepped up to hold Utah State to a pair of stops.

One quarter to go! How we feeling @BYUfootball and @USUFootball fans?#BYUvsUSU #GoCougs #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/ueOq40gsAT

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2021

Conover began gaining confidence towards the end of the quarter after Gunner Romney caught a pass that resulted in a first down. Then Neil Pau’u on the next play gained nine.

The third quarter closed out the way it started with a score of 24-13, but BYU was deep in Utah State territory and on the move at the Aggies 18-yard line.

4th Quarter

BYU’s appearance in the red zone opened up the fourth quarter. The Cougars made an interesting play call choice throwing a corner of the endzone from Conover to Gunner Romney on third down. It resulted in an incomplete. BYU settled for a 32-yard field goal make to score the first points of the second half.

Utah State offense had a ton of success on third down. Quarterback Logan Bonner made a tough run on the Aggies 10th play of a drive early in the fourth quarter to give Utah State their 10th third down conversion of the night. BYU found ways to put the Aggies behind the sticks, but USU always had an answer, especially on pass plays over the middle.

USU capped off that drive four plays later as Bonner found star wide receiver Deven Thompkins for a 28-yard touchdown to bring them within one possession.

It didn’t take long for BYU to respond. Tyler Allgeier popped off a 67-yard run on the first play of BYU’s drive to put them down at the USU 1/2 yard line. Two plays later, he found the endzone for his third touchdown of the night.

The injury curse for quarterbacks then hit Utah State. Bonner suffered an injury that required assistance from trainers as he limped off the field. He becomes the first Aggies quarterback since Chuckie Keeton in 2013 to get injured in the BYU game. Andrew Peasley, the backup, entered the game. In previous games this year, Peasley has played around 20 snaps per game. He had not entered the game at all until Bonner’s injury and he was rattled. Utah State was forced to punt with 6:24 remaining.

Bonner ended up suffering a hyperextended knee injury.

Allgeier and BYU got the ball back and the junior ball carrier went to work again. On a 3rd & 8 in Utah State territory, Allgeier popped off a 20-yard carry. Calling game in favor of BYU.

That run put Allgeier over 200 yards on the night, the first time in his BYU career.

What’s Next

With the result, the Cougars are 5-0 on the season and the Aggies fall to 3-2 in 2021.

BYU’s next game is at home against the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, October 9 at 1:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will air on KSL NewsRadio on 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.

Utah State’s next game is on the road against the UNLV Rebels on Saturday, October 16 at 5 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on CBS Sports Network and The Zone Sports Network 1280 AM.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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