There is something about late-game winners that makes college football exciting. Last night was no exception. BYU had an incredible game-winning drive, this time against Oklahoma State, avenging last year's overtime loss. BYU improves to 7-0, a complete flip from last year.
The game finished 38-35, with the Cougars relying on the two-minute drill to earn their seventh win and remain undefeated. It was not the Cougar's best performance, and it leaves some concerns for BYU fans. Three turnovers mixed with a poor run defense is a cause for concern among Cougar Nation.
BYU vs Oklahoma State Game Recap
BYU started the game with the ball on the Cowboy 25. Jake Retzlaff found Darius Lassiter for a 50-yard gain right out of the gate. BYU would then put together a short drive to open the scoring. Oklahoma State would then put together a quick drive, running the ball straight through the BYU defense to even the score at seven.
Both teams would then trade punts before Oklahoma State would intercept a pass on a double pass trick play. BYU would then take the ball right back two plays later after Oklahoma State quarterback c overthrew his receiver and Tanner Wall found himself in the right place at the right time. BYU would then take advantage of the short field and score a one-yard touchdown on an LJ Martin run.
Oklahoma State would then put together a 10-play drive and level the score with a 1-yard pass to Ollie Gordon. BYU would turn it over again and Oklahoma State would find the end zone with an Ollie Gordon touchdown run. After another interception and a near pick-six right before halftime, BYU trailed 21-14.
Oklahoma State started the second half with the ball, driving down the field. The drive would stall and end with a missed field goal. BYU would then run the ball down the field for a touchdown. The score was now 21-21. Backup quarterback Alan Bowman would start the next Cowboy possession by overthrowing a receiver and Tommy Prassas would intercept the pass. BYU would then turn it into six points to make it 28-21.
The Cowboys would then drive down the field to tie it at 28. BYU would answer with a 41-yard field goal. The Cowboys then put together an 8-minute and 26-second drive to take the lead 35-31. LaVell Edwards Stadium was stunned. BYU needed to put together a touchdown drive in one minute. After a few short plays, BYU would start to gain momentum. After a fourth down conversion, Jake Retzlaff would run for 27 yards before finding Darrius Lassiter two plays later for the go-ahead touchdown from 35 yards out. Oklahoma State would then fail to complete a pass on first down before a failed lateral play gave BYU a 38-35 victory at home.
Post-Game notes for the Cougars
BYU struggled on both sides of the ball. Jake Retzlaff threw three interceptions that led to 14 points for the Cowboys. BYU struggled to find momentum and missed some opportunities to put separation between them and Oklahoma State. BYU still has not figured out their run game and the pass game was struggling, causing BYU to have a very frustrating night on offense.
The Cougar defense also struggled, allowing Cowboy running back Ollie Gordon to break loose several times, causing damage and scoring more points than BYU should have allowed. BYU still cannot contain mobile quarterbacks, allowing big plays from both Alan Bowman and Garret Randel to get loose and slice right through the Cougar defense.
Overall, it was a rough game for the BYU Cougars. Despite the win, it felt like their was much to be improved. BYU needs to tighten up the run defense and avoid careless mistakes such as turnovers. BYU lost the turnover battle, but in the end the Cougars were able to execute when it mattered most, putting together another miracle to win. Kalani Sitake will have a lot to talk about in practice next week and hopefully the Cougars can clean up some of their mistakes and right the ship next week at UCF.