BYU football limps to a road victory over Baylor

By no means a uninteresting second with these Cougars, for higher or for worse. BYU secured their first convention highway win within the Large 12 with a 34-28 win over the Baylor Bears in Waco, nevertheless it was removed from a certainty.

(Are you able to consider this image was taken from an away recreation?)

Opening a soccer recreation with a rating of 21-0 is sort of all the time a optimistic signal, and the Cougars jumped out to this rating with an interception and stout protection paired with an offense that was nonetheless cooking off of final weekend’s upset over Kansas State. Retzlaff was slinging the soccer throughout the sphere and the remainder of his offense adopted his steps, banking 31 factors by the halftime break with some assist from a 51-yard career-best subject objective from Will Ferrin.

However when the clock struck halftime, BYU became a pumpkin.

With defending the lead on the forefront of the gameplan, the protection slid right into a softer “bend, do not break” zone, and the offense lived on a gentle weight loss plan of HB Dive performs. Sadly for the Cougars, Baylor’s protection was very happy to steal momentum as BYU lifted off the fuel pedal and hoped to cruise to a victory.

Dave Aranda’s group had a distinct concept. Assault, assault, assault, with aggressive fourth-down selections and an air raid blitzkrieg technique. Because the momentum swung from Provo to Waco, Aaron Roderick’s offensive scheme could not preserve tempo.

Baylor continued to chip away on the Cougars protection, and that facet could not get off the sphere. As they wore down, and the offense refused to get any rhythm going, this contest slipped out of BYU’s grip.

I will be fully honest–I anticipated BYU to lose this recreation. Because the hole closed, referees’ whistles grew more and more questionable, and the protection seemed about able to give up. Although a Crew Wakely interception sealed the win within the remaining moments of this recreation, it is arduous to consider how unsatisfying the primary highway convention win felt as the ultimate whistle blew.

Like a Ross Geller journey to the tanning salon, the Cougars’ efficiency was half profitable and half disastrous. First half? Brilliance. Second half? Unescapable horror. Although they lined the unfold and escaped with a win (Baylor was truly favored to win right this moment), BYU hasn’t silenced its critics and might want to use this bye-week break to heal up and reevaluate its recreation plan.

The Cougs are 5-0, so savor this second! An influence win is an effective consequence, regardless of the rating or the style during which it was earned. However please, simply do not damage me, fellas.