BYU Turnovers Among Observations In Loss To Boise State

PROVO, Utah – The 10th ranked BYU Cougars undefeated season came crashing down after losing to the Boise State Broncos 26 -17.

BYU turned the ball over four times. Boise State was turnover free. That was the difference in the ball game.

Jaren Hall made his return to the starting quarterback position after missing the previous two games due to injury.

#BYU's perfect season is over. Boise State takes down the 10th ranked Cougars 26-17.

First loss in Provo since the Washington game in September 2019.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

He was solid in his return passing for over 300 yards. It was his first 300 yard passing game in his career. His final pass of the game resulted in a big hit near the sideline. Health will remain a question mark for Hall heading into the next game.

Here are my three observations from a rainy afternoon in Provo, Utah resulting in a tough loss.

1. BYU Turnovers

The turnover margin has been such a positive through the first five games of the season for the Cougars.

BYU was plus eight in the turnover margin, with no fumbles lost heading into the rivalry game against Boise State.

Rainy weather in the second quarter changed the football game with BYU leading 10-0.

Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick turned to the run game with slick conditions and the Cougar running backs didn’t secure the football.

𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙨‼️

Our first top-ten win since 2014 😤#BleedBlue | #WhatsNext pic.twitter.com/Fjz1ZINmm9

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) October 9, 2021

Fumbles lost by Tyler Allgeier led to the first Boise State touchdown and then Lopini Katoa fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return giving Boise State all the momentum.

Slick conditions are no excuse as the Cougars coughed up the football three times.

The third fumble was the most impactful turnover of the game.

Jaren Hall was leading the BYU offense down the field when Lopini Katoa put the ball on the grass while trying to make a final cut upfield to score a much needed touchdown.

Katoa didn’t see the field after that second fumble.

Third string running back Jackson McChesney made his first appearance on the season on the final drive of the game.

It will be interesting to see if there is any shakeup in running back reps next week against Baylor.

McChesney has been climbing up the depth chart as the season as gone along.

2. 4th down struggles vs Boise State

Kalani Sitake is an aggressive coach. He loves to go for it on 4th down.

Prior to the Boise State game, BYU was perfect on the year converting all five of their 4th down conversions.

That streak is now over after converting one of the three attempts on 4th down.

Early in the 4th quarter, BYU was in the red zone with an opportunity to cut the lead to single digits with a touchdown.

The Cougars couldn’t punch the ball in the end zone resulting in a 4th down incompletion intended for Neil Pau’u.

Hindsight is always 20/20 but man it would nice right now for #BYU to have an extra 3 points from Jake Oldroyd instead of losing the ball on downs at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

I’m a big believer in getting points when you can. If BYU had kicked a field goal in that situation, the final Boise State field goal would not have pushed the lead to nine points.

3. An emerging pass rusher for BYU

Coming into the season, all the talk on the defensive line centered around freshman Tyler Batty.

He’s been solid for BYU this season, and he has a bright future.

One guy that’s really turning heads and making a case for more playing time is edge rusher Pepe Tanuvasa.

I thought he was the best pass rusher against a really stout Boise State offensive line.

BIG STOP BY THE DEFENSE!! 🛑 pic.twitter.com/mBKGpsriii

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 9, 2021

His speed and agility was on display several times as he was able to track down Hank Bachmeier when he escaped the pocket.

Tanuvasa forced a critical intentional grounding penalty in the 4th quarter that helped get BYU back in the football game.

Don’t be surprised if you see number 45 on the field more. He’s earned it.

The Cougars have yet to play a complete game this season. Too many turnovers and mental mistakes cost them a chance to move to 6-0.

It only gets more difficult from here as BYU plays consecutive road games followed by the return of Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.