Tyler Allgeier Record Performance Among Observations In BYU Win Over Virginia

PROVO, Utah – The No. 25 ranked BYU football team outlasted Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers 66-49 in one of the wildest games played in Lavell Edwards stadium.

BYU running back Tyler Allgeier stole the show with another impressive performance running for 266 yards on 29 carries while setting a new program record with five rushing touchdowns.

More on his performance below in my three observations.

THAT’S A DUB. pic.twitter.com/tZBsGaQFLF

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 31, 2021

One of the big stories going into the game was the return of Bronco Mendenhall who made his return to Lavell Edwards stadium after coaching at BYU for 13 seasons.

He won 99 games as the head coach for the Cougars during his tenure.

There were plenty of hugs afterwards between two teams and programs who are so intertwined.

The Virginia Cavaliers head back to the locker room in preparation for opening kick in the return of Bronco Mendenhall to #BYU. #UVAvsBYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/nuIXAXlYqO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 31, 2021

What a season it’s been under BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, who continues to get wins against good programs in what was viewed as a rebuilding year after losing so many key players from last years team.

1. Tyler Allgeier record setting day

Just when you think Tyler Allgeier has reached his peak as a BYU running back, he goes out and sets a new BYU record for rushing touchdowns in a single game while setting a new career high in yards gained on the ground.

If he wanted to stay at BYU through his senior season, I think he’d become the programs leading rusher.

It’s incredible what he’s accomplished at that position in less than two full seasons. He’s already surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards.

https://twitter.com/mitch_harper/status/1454684672462450691?s=21

The most impressive attribute I saw tonight was his breakaway speed in space.

Virginia is a talented football team with athletic guys on both sides of the ball. Allgeier was able to run past them in the open field.

His third touchdown run of the night was the best run of the game. After getting to the second level, he turned on the jets while sprinting down the BYU sideline.

He’s clearly an NFL running back. The question now becomes, how high will he get drafted?

2. Puka Nacua playmaker

Puka Nacua was viewed as one of the more impactful transfers in college football in the offseason at the wide receiver position.

After a slow start to the season, he has become a major weapon for Jaren Hall and the BYU offense.

He finished the game with eight receptions for 107 yards and one sweet touchdown grab that came in first quarter.

Hall targeted him 12 times.

Nacua is the complete package. He runs great routes and he’s strong when making contested catches.

Both Nacuas are over 100 yards receiving (Samson 107, Puka 110), the first time two brothers at BYU have had 100-yards in the same game #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 31, 2021

I’ve said it before, but there is no doubt in my mind this is the most talented wide receiver group in the history of BYU football.

Roderick is making good use of Nacua in the jet sweet game as well. He’s been successful on that play in large part because he runs north and south after getting around the edge.

There’s multiple NFL caliber players on the Cougar offense, and Puka Nacua is one of them.

3. Craziest BYU football game I’ve witnessed

I’ve attended many football games in my life at Lavell Edwards Stadium. However, I’ve never witnessed anything like what we saw in the return of Bronco Mendenhall.

There were 1,322 yards of combined offense. 115 points scored. 64 combined first downs.

BYU led by 21 points twice in the first half before an avalanche of Virginia scoring helped the Cavaliers take a 42-38 lead at halftime.

Robert Anae’s offense scored 35 points in the second quarter alone and none of those drives took longer than two minutes.

The Cougar defense made adjustments in the second half and forced key turnovers that allowed Jaren Hall and the offense to create some separation.

Holding the Cavaliers to seven points in the second half is pretty impressive after the scoring barrage in the second quarter.

10 wins is firmly in reach now for this football team. The only challenge left on the schedule is USC to finish the season.

Back-to-back 10 win seasons would be remarkable considering all the challenges this program has faced since the beginning of the pandemic.

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.