BYU's defense locked down and stifled Cincinnati's greatest strength

BYU’s defense epitomized the bend-but-don’t-break philosophy for defenses in the sport of football. Cincy would get close to scoring many times and come away with nothing, turned back by BYU. The Cougar defense was in good form in the same places they've been great all season. They were helped by their offense maintaining possession and keeping them fresh. Jay Hill’s plan was good, and his guys went out and made it happen.

Their strengths this year have been on third down, where they ranked 13th in the nation, allowing only a 31.1% conversion rate. They were right at that mark, allowing the Bearcats to convert only 4 of 13, 30.7% of their third downs in the win. Their 25th-ranked total defense gave up a few more yards than usual, with Cincinnati gaining 387 when BYU was allowing only 321.2 per game.

Jay Hill’s defense came into the game 7th in the nation in interceptions with 14 and 17th in the college football in turnovers forced. Tanner Wall’s third-quarter interception and Tayvion Beasley’s fourth-quarter forced fumble added to those, and had BYU finish with two turnovers forced to none given up. BYU’s Red Zone defense, which was 10th in the nation coming into the game (27 of 37 (14 touchdowns, 13 field goals), allowing scores only 73% of the time, stopped Cincinnati from getting points on two of the Bearcats’ three trips into the Red Zone.

Cincinnati would possess the football 10 times, and BYU would prevent them from scoring on eight of those possessions. The BYU defense would bend and not break, just like they’ve been doing all year. They were allowing a 13th-best 17.8 points per game and held UC to only 14 points. They aren’t flashy; they just get stops and keep teams out of the end zone. Jay Hill’s defense does enough for their offense to outscore the opponent. The offense paying off their efforts, like with Martin’s first touchdown after Wall’s interception, is great complementary football. This team is one more solid game away from playing for a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff berth.