Instant Takeaways From No. 12 BYU’s Loss To No. 25 Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. – BYU football dropped its first game of the 2022 season to the No. 25 Oregon Ducks.

The Ducks hosted the Cougars at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, September 17.

Oregon beat BYU, 41-20.

Instant reaction from Autzen Stadium as #BYU 🏈 falls to the Oregon Ducks. @Mitch_Harper and @baiamontematt break down what happened in the Cougars first loss of the season. pic.twitter.com/IXIhSbhUlm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 17, 2022

Complete domination by Oregon

Questions entering Saturday’s Top 25 clash primarily focused on Oregon. Who were the Ducks? What was reasonable to expect after Georgia crushed them and then they annihilated Eastern Washington?

Well, there won’t be any more questions.

After BYU’s first offensive play of the game, a deep ball to Chase Roberts, it was a dominating performance from Oregon.

The athleticism and speed from Oregon was immediately noticed in the first quarter as QB Bo Nix easily led the Ducks to a touchdown drive.

Oregon defensive end Brandon Dorlus, a preseason All-Pac-12 selection, couldn’t be stopped by BYU’s offensive front. He caused havoc all day.

The ease of Oregon’s day against BYU was highlighted by the fact that Nix’s day ended with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter.

The Ducks are flying 🙌@oregonfootball adds on another TD against No. 12 BYU pic.twitter.com/hXgXv9ruGT

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

Missed field goal finished any momentum that BYU had in the first half

BYU kicker Jake Oldroyd missed his third consecutive field goal, dating back to last week.

It was a 38-yard field goal with BYU down 17-7. The previous offensive possession, BYU had scored a touchdown with Isaac Rex. So the offense was gaining a little bit of momentum.

Oldroyd missed the kick. The miss raises questions about Oldroyd’s confidence moving forward.

FG is no good for BYU pic.twitter.com/Ub3y4nFVFx

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

Never underestimate talent

Oregon boasts the 7th most talented roster in college football according to the 247Sports talent composite. By comparison, BYU is 107th.

The claims of Oregon being a team that BYU would show up and defeat with ease were simply inaccurate.

It’s another example of how much improvement BYU has to make before they go into a Power Five league.

Can't get enough of this catch by Troy Franklin 🔥

What a grab to set up the @oregonfootball TD pic.twitter.com/0ifbmJHbN0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

BYU’s young wide receivers continue to show flashes of their potential

With stars Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney out with injury, Chase Roberts and Kody Epps were BYU’s top receivers against Oregon.

Both players continue to show flashes of their high ceilings in their BYU careers.

Roberts had an opening snap 35-yard grab and Epps hauled in his first career touchdown as a BYU Cougar.

On a day that lacked many bright spots, Epps and Roberts are future stars for BYU.

👏 @BYUfootball takes one back!

Jaren Hall finds Kody Epps in the end zone pic.twitter.com/BaoG8Lv2E4

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

Autzen Stadium is still Autzen

During ESPN’s College Gameday, Kirk Herbstreit warned folks to discredit Oregon. Herbstreit said, “Oregon is still Oregon and Autzen is still Autzen.” Those words proved prophetic as the rocking Autzen crowd was loud from the opening kick.

Bo Nix with the DART for another @oregonfootball TD 💪🦆 pic.twitter.com/zeNMhiKUgR

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

BYU had an estimated 10,000 fans wearing royal blue, but they were kept silent throughout the day as the Cougars gave them nothing to cheer about.

Oregon hasn’t lost a non-conference game at home in 14 years and they extended their current home winning streak to 21 games.

BYU’s ground attack was non-existent

Another week against a Power Five team sees BYU’s ground attack as a non-factor.

If BYU was going to pull off the win in Eugene, there were going to need an effective rushing game. Entering the fourth quarter, BYU was averaging 2.5 yards per carry. That’s not going to get it done against quality competition like Oregon.

Oregon was bold to rest Bo Nix when they did

When Oregon was up 38-7 with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter, Bo Nix’s day appeared to be over.

Oregon brought in backup Ty Thompson to finish out the rest of the game.

The Ducks offense collapsed with Thompson in the game, starting with a screen pass that was fumbled for a loss of 26 yards. BYU was unable to scoop up the ball for an easy defensive touchdown.

There's no stopping Bo Nix 😤

His 3rd rushing TD of the day for @oregonfootball 👀💪 pic.twitter.com/9OULFrZvZu

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

But BYU’s defense did stifle the Ducks when Thompson was in the game.

BYU got the deficit down to 18 before Nix returned to action at the 10:39 mark in the fourth quarter.

What gives with day games?

Since the start of the 2021 season, BYU’s four losses have all come in the day. BYU has proven to be an excellent night game winning their last 12 in the evening, but day games seem to be an issue for BYU. It proved to be that way again on Saturday.

BYU missed an opportunity to stay in the national conversation

Coming into this game, the nation was making the case that if BYU won this game, they could be a threat to make the College Football Playoff.

That narrative quickly came to an end.

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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