No. 16 BYU Shows Fight In Loss To Notre Dame

LAS VEGAS – No. 16 BYU battled Notre Dame in primetime, falling short 28-20. The Cougars showed fight, rallying in the second half to keep the game within one score. But Jaren Hall and the offense couldn’t get into the end zone, spoiling their comeback hopes.

BYU Shows Fight Against Notre Dame

FINAL @NDFootball 28
No. 16 @BYUfootball 20 #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsND
📷: BYU Photo pic.twitter.com/PIOPSqtSKl

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

Things started ugly for BYU when Jaren Hall threw an interception on the very first play, only his second of the season. The BYU defense came up big, holding Notre Dame to just a field goal. The Cougars got on the board after a great punt return by Hobbs Nyberg put them in great field position. Hall found wide receiver Kody Epps for a touchdown, but the kicking woes continued as Justen Smith missed the extra point.

The Irish responded right back with a touchdown drive dominated by tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer had eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. After BYU’s defense got a key fourth down stop in the red zone, Jaren Hall was sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Irish tacked on a touchdown late in the second quarter on a great catch by wide receiver Jayden Thomas. Notre Dame led BYU at halftime, 18-6.

Notre Dame continued their dominance on offense to start the second half. The Irish took the opening drive of the half into the end zone, taking seven minutes and grinding down the tired Cougar defense. But BYU responded quickly on a big 53-yard TD pass from Jaren Hall to Kody Epps. After the defense forced a three and out, the Cougars went right back down the field to score another touchdown. Christopher Brooks scored on a 28-yard TD run to put BYU back in the game.

Loyal, strong, and true. pic.twitter.com/iat46eXBWt

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 9, 2022

BYU’s defense came up big yet again with a interception by Max Tooley, his third on the season. The offense was unable to take advantage and the Irish added more points with a field goal. Jaren Hall led the team down the field, but they came up short. Notre Dame killed the clock, walking away with the 28-20 victory.

Off Night For BYU Offense

Quarterback Jaren Hall had a bad night for his standards, completing 53% of his passes for just 120 yards. He had two touchdowns and one interception, struggling to find consistent momentum on offense. Wide receiver Kody Epps had a big night, hauling in four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He was the only BYU player with multiple receptions in the game.

Loud cheers of “LETS GO COUGARS” here at Allegiant Stadium.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/3ZvjPftcJC

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

The Cougars ran for 160 yards on the ground in a solid performance by the offensive line and backs. Christopher Brooks led the team with 90 rushing yards and a touchdown. BYU was just 3-9 on third down in the game.

The defense stepped up big in the second half, led by their MVP this season Max Tooley. Tooley led the team with 13 tackles and had the lone takeaway. Micah Harper made some big plays throughout the night, adding six tackles from the safety position.

Quarterback Drew Pyne had a big night for the Irish, throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Mayer, one of the best tight ends in the country, had a huge night against the Cougars. Mayer had 11 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Notre Dame gashed BYU on the ground, amassing 234 yards on the ground.

No. 16 BYU (4-2) returns home for another test, this time against SEC opponent. The Cougars will host Arkansas (3-3) next Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Razorbacks will be just the third SEC team ever to visit Provo. That game will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. MT on ESPN and on KSL NewsRadio.

BYU vs Notre Dame: First Quarter

For the fifth time in six games this year, #BYU‘s offense will take the field first.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 8, 2022

First play of the game, Jaren Hall throws his second interception of the season. An underthrown ball intended for Gunner Romney.#BYU #BYUvsND #BYUfootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 8, 2022

#BYU having issues getting the proper numbers on the field. Forced to call a timeout early. Not a stellar start for the Cougars. #BYUvsND #BYUfootball

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 8, 2022

I would chalk that one up as a W. Terrible throw picked off on first play of the game and the #BYU defense comes up big holding #NotreDame to just a FG.#BYUFootball l #ShamrockSeries l #BYUvsND

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 8, 2022

Tyler Batty with a massive play forcing the incomplete pass while laying a solid hit on Drew Pyne. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 8, 2022

These passes are concerning from Jaren Hall. Doesn’t look like the same guy we’ve seen the past five weeks.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 8, 2022

#BYU burns their second timeout of the half before the halfway point of the first quarter.

The mental miscues with extra preparation time is hard to understand. #BYUvsND @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 8, 2022

Micah Harper with a nice hit on that incompletion. He’s added some juice to the defense this season. #BYUFootball #BYUvsND

— Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) October 8, 2022

Hobbs Nyberg with a 42-yard punt return.#BYU‘s return game has been coming alive the past few weeks. Huge return.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 8, 2022

Excellent route running from #BYU WR Kody Epps. Wow!

TD BYU.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

.@Hobbsnyberg9 set up @BYUfootball in @NDFootball territory before @jarenhall3 found @EppsKody for 6️⃣. #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsNDhttps://t.co/wQXYei9u1f

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

Oh boy. Justen Smith just missed an extra point. He knew the moment he kicked it wasn’t going in. #BYUvsND #BYU #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Back to Jake Oldroyd.

If you miss extra points, you shouldn’t be the starting kicker.

The kicking woes are one of the most shocking developments of the season for #BYU 🏈

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

That was one heck of a grab by Michael Mayer. Harper was all over him, put he hauls it in to give Notre Dame a 3rd & 10 conversion.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball #BYU

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

That first quarter felt chaotic for #BYU. So many issues with getting the correct number of personnel on the field in a given play. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

BYU vs Notre Dame: Second Quarter

Michael Mayer scores on a nicely thrown pass by Drew Pyne. What a throw & catch. Mayer is going to be guy BYU might want double him. Irish take a 10-6 lead. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

I’m having Jeff Samardzija in 2005 flashbacks

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

What a big play by the BYU defense. Fourth down stop keeps Notre Dame from adding to their lead. #BYUVsND #BYUFootball

— Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) October 9, 2022

4th down stop ❕ ❕ @KeenanPili7 with the tackle.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/GXkniryib4

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

Questionable play call leads to a safety.

The worst offensive performance of the season is putting the #BYU defense in a very difficult spot. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

BYU needed to get some Time of possession to help their D out. Instead they give up two points & ND gets the ball back on offense again. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

Shawn Bradley in attendance for #BYUvsND#BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/B17fDIa0c2

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

Third straight week BYU has been doubled up on time of possession in the first half of a game. Cougars offense has been on the sidelines a lot in the opening 30 minutes of these games#BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

That’s a rather significant score as ND gets the ball out of halftime. That was what you needed to avoid if you were BYU. A field goal was OK. TD is a dagger in that scenario #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

12 point halftime deficit feels insurmountable with how poor #BYU‘s offense played in the first half.#BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

No. 16 BYU vs Notre Dame: Third Quarter

Former @BYUMBB great Shawn Bradley made his way to @AllegiantStadm to watch @BYUfootball. 🤙 🏀 🏈 #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsND https://t.co/g2F2oOfYc7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

First drive of the second half and Notre Dame picks up a 3rd & 13 by targeting Michael Mayer.

Drew Pyne faced zero pressure. Had all day to throw.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Trying to cover Michael Mayer 1 vs. 1 is a losing bet. BYU picking to slow that happen time after time is foolhardy. Micah Harper victimized on the TD catch for ND. Cougars now down three scores at 25-6 #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

Touchdown Michael Mayer. To make matters worse, Micah Harper comes up limping after the play. Trainers are looking at him right now. Harper just slammed his helmet on the table.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Kody Epps is a ⭐️

That’s exactly what this #BYU team needed. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

Loudest #BYU cheer of the game comes on a MADE PAT!#ShamrockSeries l #BYUFootball l @KSLSports

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 9, 2022

Tonight’s attendance for #BYUvsND is 62,472.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Big stop for BYU on D. ND punts it away. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

Lopini Katoa with a draw trap for a third down conversion. That was…unexpected. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

BYU vs Notre Dame: Fourth Quarter

Gunner Romney is in the medical tent. #BYU #BYUvsND @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

We have a ballgame folks. Chris Brooks takes it for the TD and it’s now Notre Dame 25-BYU 19 after the PAT. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

I thought #BYU was dead after that opening 3rd quarter TD by ND.

Major credit to the Cougars for fighting back and making this a ball game. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

Early 4th quarter #BYU has run 36 plays in the game to #NotreDame‘s 54.
Time of possession: BYU – 15:47, ND – 29:55
BYU Defense can’t get ND off the field in this game. Can they at the most critical point of the game now?#BYUvsND l #ShamrockSeries l @KSLSports

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 9, 2022

Wow. Payton Wilgar with a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage and Max Tooley comes up with the interception.

What a turn of events.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Max Tooley’s clutch INT! pic.twitter.com/Q6NvX9ZHOj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2022

Drew Pyne’s first interception since week 2 against Marshall. He had made 83 straight pass attempts without a pick.#BYUFootball l #BYUvsND l #ShamrockSeries l @KSLSports

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 9, 2022

This is the moment we discussed earlier on Cougar Sports Saturday extended pre-game for Jaren Hall.

Huge opportunity to make a signature play and give #BYU the lead. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

Dropped ball by Puka. He’s going to want that one back. Needs to make that catch. #BYUvsND #BYUfootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Gabe Summers is being helped off the field by trainers. Has dealt with a partial PCL tear this season. Tough player.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Huge run for Audric Estime after he broke a tackle at the LOS. 46 yards and ND is in scoring position. #BYUfootball #BYUvsND #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) – Slava Ukraini (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2022

#BYU defense has played so hard today.

It’s been a really impressive performance considering the time of possession discrepancy. #BYUvsND @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2022

Jaren Hall did a great job navigating the pocket on that play. Didn’t panic and stayed in there to find Kody Epps for a big gain. #BYUvsND #BYUFootball

— Dallen Graff (@dallengraff) October 9, 2022

4th & 1 and Lopini Katoa is stuffed.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2022

Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports Contributor. He is the Producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter.