No. 9 BYU Throttles No. 21 Boise State, Path Cleared For New Year’s Six

BOISE, Idaho – No. 9 BYU and No. 21 Boise State in the pre-game had the makings to be one of college football’s best games in 2020. Instead, BYU treated Boise State like all the opponents before the Cougars trip to Blue Turf. They dominated them.

BYU rolled through Boise State by a score of 51-17. It’s the worst loss for a Boise State team since 2001, and it’s BYU’s first victory over the Broncos in Boise.

Folks, this BYU team is for real. The win sets the stage for BYU to be eyeing an at-large New Year’s Six bowl, or maybe a potential College Football Playoff team.

On BYU’s COVID-19 altered 2020 schedule, Boise State –on paper– appeared to pose the biggest challenge in potentially derailing BYU’s magical undefeated season. That wasn’t the case at all.

8-0#BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/C2cnTt5r40 pic.twitter.com/aDmqoB0zU9

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 7, 2020

Early in the game, Boise State’s starting quarterback and USC transfer Jack Sears left due to a head injury. Boise’s third-string quarterback Cade Fennegan took over, and the usual high-powered Bronco attack could never find its footing against BYU. The Broncos didn’t score their first touchdown of the game until 9:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson had a slower than expected start due to some conservative playcalling. The second half was a different story. Wilson displayed his uncanny accuracy while dealing with deep passes to his receivers on back shoulder fades leading BYU to 35 points in the final 30 minutes.

Statement. pic.twitter.com/yKMvIlz9sS

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 7, 2020

The junior gunslinger ended his night with 359 yards on 21-27 passing and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. A performance that only strengthens Wilson’s case to be in the star-studded Heisman race this season.

If you didn't know, now you know. @BYUfootball QB @zachkapono is the real deal 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/D6odjHvqLW

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 7, 2020

The scoring got started for Wilson and the BYU offense from an explosive 86-yard touchdown run by Tyler Allgeier. That was Allgeier’s first of two scores on a 123-yard night. BYU’s 51-points were the most the Cougars have ever scored in a game against a nationally-ranked team.

Defensively, BYU returned many key personnel from their two-deep, and they had the young Fennegan rattled throughout the evening in front of 975 fans at Albertsons Stadium. Keenan Pili was one of the key returners from injury, and he was tied with Bracken El-Bakri and Isaiah Kaufusi with nine tackles each.

BYU improves to 8-0 on the season and will have next week off before hosting FCS North Alabama in Provo. The next time BYU plays a game against an FBS team will be on December 12th against San Diego State.

Hey @CFBPlayoff Committee, you up? 👀 pic.twitter.com/bOFZxEievu

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 7, 2020

With two games remaining, and a statement win over Boise State in their back pocket, BYU has their eyes set on the NY6 or maybe, something even bigger.

For an inside look from inside Albertsons Stadium in Boise, follow @kslsports on Instagram. Mitch Harper will be giving you an inside look from Boise for No. 9 BYU vs. Boise State. Find Mitch on Twitter and read his bylines here on sports.ksl.com.