BYU Vs. Boise State: Live Updates, Analysis, And More From Rivalry Matchup

PROVO, Utah – The 12th meeting featured BYU vs Boise State kicks off today at LaVell Edwards Stadium here in Provo. This season marks the tenth consecutive year that BYU and Boise State have met on the gridiron.

#BYU's perfect season is over.

Boise State upsets the Cougars.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OF7tMPRZD2

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2021

Boise State leads the all-time series 7-4, but BYU has won the last two meetings including last year’s contest in Boise. The first win on the Blue Turf for BYU in the series.

BYU is 3-2 all-time against Boise State in Provo with the only loss during the Independent era coming in 2017.

The Cougars enter the game with a 5-0 record and ranked No. 10 in both the AP and Coaches Top 25 polls. Head coach Kalani Sitake and his team have already won two games against their biggest rivals (Utah, Utah State), now they are looking for the hat trick with a victory over Boise State.

Boise State comes into this game with a 2-3 record. The Broncos have played a difficult schedule with losses coming against UCF, Oklahoma State, and Nevada. First year head coach Andy Avalos is one of the 30 greatest Broncos players in the history of Boise football. He has a deep respect for the BYU-Boise State matchup as he played in the game when he was a linebacker for Boise back in 2003 and 2004.

Today’s game will be a sellout at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It’s the second game during BYU’s home schedule that has sold out this season. LES holds 63,470 seats. It’s the first day game of the home schedule so far this season.

Another week, another game-time decision looms at quarterback for BYU. With Baylor Romney suffering a head injury last week against Utah State, he’s not expected to play today against the Broncos. So it now comes down to starting QB Jaren Hall and freshman Jacob Conover.

Hall has been out the past two games after suffering an injury in a win against Arizona State. He has been practicing this week and he told KSL’s UnRivaled that he is “pretty confident” he will be able to go this week against Boise State.

Jacob Conover is a former four-star recruit who turned down Nick Saban and Alabama to sign with his dream school in BYU.

No. 10 BYU vs Boise State is always a rivalry game that lives up to the hype. Keep checking back here on sports.ksl.com throughout the day for updates, analysis, and more from the KSL Sports team on this matchup.

We are live on location at LaVell Edwards Stadium for today’s game.

4th Quarter

#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

Jaren Hall took a hard hit in the midsection on the final pass he will throw today. Results in an interception. #BYU #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Jackson McChesney is in the ball game.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

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

BYU is going to have to go onsides kick no matter what happens points-wise on this series (if they even do score). No chance to kick off & get the ball back#BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

BYU regretting not kicking that field goal earlier in the half?#BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

Absolutely phenomenal catch by Shakir. Holy smokes. That is a dagger by BSU.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

The Independence Bowl is Dec. 18

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 9, 2021

#BYU defense jumped in the neutral zone. Offsides on the Cougars. Negates a fumble recovery by LB Payton Wilgar. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Sellout crowd is being heard right now. Will they rattle Boise State into mistakes like they did Arizona State and Utah?

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

#BYU offense with a huge response. Staying aggressive paying off here in the clutch. Pressure on Boise State now. They've had struggles maintaining leads this season. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Not done yet! @tylerallgeier17 find the end zone. @BYUfootball trails Boise State 23-17 with 7:27 remaining.#BSUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/lUokvPvYqP

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2021

Clutch throw by Jaren Hall to Gunner Romney for 59 yards. #BYU now in the red zone. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Another turnover on downs. Boise State can sense the upset is coming.

Two TOD for #BYU today. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

3rd Quarter

Can #BYU pull off the 4th quarter comeback?#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/iaEs5OVvuu

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2021

#BYU defense comes up with a stop. It's do-or-die for the offense on this drive.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

BYU has gone to four down linemen on defense in this second half FWIW.

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

Turnovers are killing #BYU today.#BSUvsBYU pic.twitter.com/l2gjEkZaOm

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 9, 2021

Not that it matters when your team keeps fumbling the ball away

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 9, 2021

Another fumble. Another mistake. Guys trying to do much and it’s costing them. #BYU https://t.co/Ha26s66Y5P

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

Lopini Katoa broke free for a run that had scoring potential then he fumbled the football. His second fumble today. As a team #BYU has given up three fumbles. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Massive 4th & 8 pickup for #BYU. Jaren Hall connects with Neil Pau'u for a gain of 15 yards.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

4th and 8 at midfield, Kalani Sitake goes for it and BYU gets it. All brass

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 9, 2021

Costly mistake from Javelle Brown to return the kick three yards deep in the endzone. #BYU then gets called for a hold. Going to start the drive inside their own 10. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Self inflicted mistakes are really hurting #BYU.

Brown shouldn’t have returned that kick. He brings it out and there’s a holding penalty.

He takes a knee and the Cougars start at the 25.

There’s no margin for error now.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

Pepe Tanuvasa has been a legit pass rusher for #BYU this season. They dial up some heat and he gets to Bachmeier. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

That's a win for #BYU's defense holding Boise State to a field goal. Cougars had no answer for the ground attack from the Broncos.

Nearly half the time in the third quarter was drained from that drive.#BYU trails 23-10.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Boise State opening the 3rd quarter dominating on the ground with Andrew Van Buren. #BYU defense has to find away to force a turnover.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

2nd Quarter

Cough up the football, you'll find yourself down.#BYU trails at the half.#BSUvsBYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/NeAcYepObE

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2021

Boise State + 26 on the ground. I’m still in awe of the rushing struggle for the Cougars. #BYU pic.twitter.com/QN4vTMNmxZ

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

First real adversity for BYU this season. Let's see how the team responds. If they are a Top 10 team, they'll prove it here in the 2nd half. #BSUvsBYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball

— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) October 9, 2021

Kalani Sitake's assessment of the first half to Mitch Juergens on the #BYU Sports Network (@kslnewsradio): "We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and start taking care of the football."#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Can't overstate how bad those two fumbles were. Ruined all the offensive momentum and gave the Broncos a short field. BYU's defense needs to be able to stop the run in the 2nd half. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs

— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) October 9, 2021

BYU went up 10-0, the rains & turnovers came. Boise then scored 20 unanswered. Wild first half & the Cougars are left scrambling for answers heading to the locker room#BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

#BYU entered this game a perfect 100% on 4th down conversions. Couldn't pick it up there in their own territory near midfield. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Not a lot any QB can do when you can’t run the football. It’s stunning the struggle at the line of scrimmage. https://t.co/nc02dhzRVe

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

That’s tough for #BYU.

Your top 2 running backs fumble on consecutive touches.

Cougars will be facing their first deficit of the season as BSU is in business near the red zone.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

Javelle Brown gets his first opportunity at kick returner this season. Not a bad return.#BSUvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Boise State has been running the football much better than #BYU so far after they tie it up at 10.

Shocking that the Cougars were able to hold USU to 22 yards rushing and now the Broncos are closing in on 100 yards in the 1st half.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

Oregon State transfer Kaleb Hayes keeps getting better each week. Gets the start this week and comes up with a big 3rd down PBU.

Earned DPOW honors in win over Utah State last week. #BYU #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Revamped Boise O-line & reserve RB Cyrus Habibi-Likio running the ball on BYU some here#BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

1st Quarter Updates

After one quarter, @BYUfootball is holding down a touchdown lead.#BSUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Zof0Btha03

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 9, 2021

It is LOUD inside Lavell Edwards Stadium. Shout out to Cougar nation. Another phenomenal atmosphere! #BYU @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

The Nacua brothers bring so much swagger to this #BYU team.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

BYU's crowd is becoming a factor once again. Forced Boise to call timeout there#BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

Jacob Boren and Javelle Brown are emerging as solid "Gunners" for #BYU on special teams. Hard hitting players on kick team. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Jaren Hall through two drives: 8-9, 123 yards, 1 TD for a QBR of 240.4.#BYU #BYUFootball #BSUvsBYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Samson Nacua hauls in what appeared to be a throwaway ball from Hall. 10-0 BYU just like that #BYUfootball #BYU #BSUvsBYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

👀 fantastic catch by Samson Nacua to go get that football! What a play for the TD. #BYU @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 9, 2021

Samson Nacua just said, give me that!#BYU #BYUFootball #BSUvsBYU @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Gunner Romney is on the sideline standing near Fesi Sitake. Doesn't appear to need additional medical attention. #BYU #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Maybe make sure you’re right before railing on replay

— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) October 9, 2021

Jaren Hall to Puka Nacua…whoa

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

#BYU catches a break. Cyrus Habibi-Likio's elbow was down. Cougar defense forces a three & out.#BYU Nickel Jakob Robinson knocked Habibi-Likio enough to get him off balance. #BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

Jaren Hall comes out firing. #BSUvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU

— Jake Hatch – #LLAL & #LLTJ (@JacobCHatch) October 9, 2021

An impressive opening drive stalled in the red zone after a false start. But #BYU still comes away with a Jake Oldroyd field goal.#BYU assumes their role of being in the lead once again.#BSUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 9, 2021

BYU vs Boise State Pregame Notes

–Jaren Hall will get the start at QB for BYU. He joins Jacob Conover, Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters, and Rhett Reilly for the rest of the QB room.

–No Lorenzo Fauatea today. He got banged up against Utah State last week.

–BYU FB/TE Masen Wake had a boot on his left foot. He will not play.

–CB Jacques Wilson is dressed and available.

–BYU center James Empey is back into the starting lineup.

–Look for RB Jackson McChesney to receive his first game action today.

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 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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