The Cougs played a solid game in response to the UCF loss.
BYU’s defense was more than solid in their game against Arizona State. They bounced back big from the UCF defeat. BYU’s run defense, which was allowing 98.1 yards per game at the start of this one allowed 113 to the ASU rushing attack. The pass defense was even better than average. They had been giving up 203.4 yards per game and held ASU to 166 yards. The total defense was ahead of their curve as well. They were averaging 301.5 yards allowed per game but held the Sun Devils to 279 total yards. Their scoring defense was as strong as usual, holding Arizona State to 20 points when averaging 18.6 per game this year.
Kelly Poppinga’s defense has been good this year. They’re the 20th-best rushing defense in the FBS, allowing 100 yards per game. They’re the 48th-best pass defense, allowing 198.8 yards per game. Poppinga’s total and scoring defense are both top 25. Their 18.8 points per game is 25th in the FBS, and their 298.8 total yards allowed is 19th. BYU made one big improvement from the UCF game, too, but more on that in a bit.
What the Defense Needs to Improve On
They need to continue to maintain their composure. This was a special teams play, but it was done by a star BYU defender. ASU had the ball trailing BYU and got it into the BYU red zone. BYU forced a field goal try and got a roughing penalty attempting to block it. They were fortunate to make another stand, force another field goal attempt, and maintain a 7-3 lead. Most times, when you give an opponent a free first and goal at the four, they’re going to punch it in. They did well to stand tall, but need to avoid those kinds of mistakes in the future, especially against top teams like Utah.
What the Defense Did Right
BYU improved from the UCF loss in a huge, important way. They finished better on defense. The defenders swarmed to the ball, and unlike against UCF, they made tackles and sacks. They got to the quarterback. BYU swarmed to the ball carrier. That’s how they stuffed ASU. They sacked the quarterback six times and made eight tackles for a loss.
Defensive Play of the Game
The strip sack on Arizona State’s opening possession by Nusi Taumoepeau. It showed that BYU was going to do a much better job of finishing in this game and getting to the quarterback. It would lead to a touchdown, and BYU would take a 7-0 lead.
What a hit by Nusi Taumoepeau. pic.twitter.com/0IkoLEC4Ty
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 31, 2026
Defensive Player of the Game
Jayven Williams. Williams came into one of the two corner spots for an injured Evan Johnson. Arizona State knew it, and went after him, too. The Mississippi State transfer wasn’t perfect, but he settled in and played a fantastic game while being a focal point of ASU’s attack. Williams would have seven tackles, six of them solo, and would break up three passes in the BYU victory.
Defensive Stats of the Game
BYU has a couple of huge defensive winning streaks going on right now. They have 19 consecutive wins allowing 24 points or fewer, and have 21 consecutive wins when leading at halftime. If BYU reaches these marks against Utah, they’ll be extended to 20 and 25, respectively.
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