BYU (2-0) remains unbeaten against SMU (2-1) as the Cougars improved to 5-0 in the series with another win Friday night.
Despite the low-scoring game, it was a thrilling finish as BYU’s Will Ferrin nailed a 26-yard field goal with 1:58 remaining to lift BYU over SMU 18-15, snapping the Mustangs’ impressive nine-game home winning streak.
The game-winning kick came thanks to a gutsy call on 4th down by BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. With the ball at midfield, and with 4 minutes left to go in the game, BYU running back Miles Davis took an option pitch down the sideline for a 37-yard gain to set up the winning score.
SMU (2-1) had not lost a home game since October 22, 2022, when they fell to Cincinnati. During their home streak, the Mustangs averaged nearly 54 points per game. Their lowest-scoring game in that stretch was 34 points.
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. Here’s a look at the good and the bad, as well as the biggest takeaways from the game.
BYU defense
Every defensive player deserves a shoutout tonight in which the Cougars didn’t allow a single touchdown all night. With their backs constantly up against the wall thanks to a turnover-prone offense that could barely move the ball, the defense kept rising to the occasion making big stop after big stop, including forcing several turnovers in the red zone.
Another big impression through the first two games from the defense is how well the team is tackling. Guys are getting off blocks, making open-field tackles, and actually sacking the quarterback. I know that has been missing the last few years, but yes, that’s allowed Cougar fans. It’s been a long time since a BYU defense has looked like this and it’s a breath of fresh air for Cougar fans. If the BYU offense can get it together, this team could be very scary and a dark horse for the Big 12 title.
Blake Mangelson — The defensive end was dominant throughout the entire game as the senior lived in the backfield and got constant pressure. Mangelson finished the night with seven tackles — the second most on the team — including 2.5 tackles for loss.
Jack Kelly — The transfer from Weber State has more than lived up to the hype as the junior had five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and several quarterback hurries. With SMU opting to go with Kevin Jennings for the rest of the game, Kelly was used as a spy to contain the elusive dual-threat quarterback.
Isaiah Glasker — The sophomore was everywhere on the field as he tallied six tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and a tackle for loss.
Marque Collins — The Weber State graduate transfer had another big outing and came up with one of the biggest plays of the night as he came off his receiver and stepped in front of a pass for an interception inside the 10-yard line.
Jakob Robinson — Not to be outdone, Jakob Robinson was solid like he always is as the senior came up with a huge fumble recovery to keep BYU’s lead at 15-12 midway through the fourth quarter. He has also had 2 timely tackles for loss for the Cougars.
Harrison Taggart — The sophomore sensation led the Cougars in tackles as the Oregon transfer finished the night with 8 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, and several QB hurries. The sophomore was everywhere and was key in keeping SMU out of the end zone all night.
BYU offense
As terrific as the defense was, the offense was the complete opposite for much of the game. The Cougars finished with 15 possessions and scored on just three of them. The offense had 3 turnovers and a game-high nine 3-and-outs. Yes, BYU had 336 yards of total offense on the night, but outside of a couple of big plays (Miles Davis’ 37-yard run, Ta’ase a 26-yard catch, and Darius Lassiter with a 57-yard catch), the Cougars could barely move the ball.
While many praised Retzlaff for picking up his first win last week and that he ‘turned the corner’, I wasn’t sold. It was against an FCS program. We won’t know if Retzlaff is any better until he faces tougher competition. And based on the performance Friday night, Retzlaff isn’t any different from where he was last year. One game doesn’t make a trend, so it will be interesting to see if he bounces back next week against Wyoming. If not, the Cougars are going to have a big QB controversy going on heading into Big 12 play.
Lastly, short-yardage situations continue to plague BYU. There were several 4th and 1 or 4th and 2 situations where the Cougars lined up in shotgun. Just line up under center and use the QB sneak to get the first down. Don’t overcomplicate things! If anything else, have a wildcat package and add an extra blocker on the line. Last year, an NFL study showed that lining up under center was far more successful than in shotgun (76% vs. 59%). Take note coaches!
Jake Retzlaff — I want to be a big fan, I really do, however, I’m not sold on Retzlaff. To me, he’s still the same guy he was last year. He’s prone to turnovers and he can’t sustain drives. He’s gotten better with his touch, however, there were a number of times when he threw a dart to a running back running a wheel route when he needed to throw an easier and more catchable pass.
Mata’ava Ta’ase — With all the talk about BYU’s tight ends, nobody has talked about Ta’ase as the senior hauled in two big catches — including the first touchdown of the game in which he knocked the wind out of himself, yet managed to hold onto the ball. He was also part of the trick play that set up the second touchdown on the night.
Miles Davis — I was yelling at the TV when BYU was throwing wheel routes and other passes to Hinckley Ropati out in the flat. No offense to Ropati, but Davis has better hands and is a lot quicker too. Aaron Roderick took way too long to insert Davis into the game and it nearly cost BYU. Thankfully, Miles made the most of it down the stretch as the junior converted a huge 4th down which set up the game-winning field goal.
Notable: BYU offensive lineman Brayden Keim made one of the most underrated plays of the game as the redshirt senior stopped a would-be touchdown off a Retzlaff interception. After SMU’s Jared Harrison-Hunte picked off Retzlaff, it looked as though the senior was going to rumble into the end zone for a pick-six. However, Keim was able to shed a block and stop him on the 5-yard line. The defense then held and only gave up a field goal, which proved to be the difference.
BYU 2-0
A win is a win. The Cougars are 2-0 when many thought they would be 1-1 at this point of the season. In fact, BYU was nearly a two-touchdown underdog coming into the game against the Mustangs. Vegas isn’t usually wrong, so the fact that the Cougars went on the road and won is a great sign, no matter how ugly it looked.
As a side note, I fully expected the Cougars to win tonight as I outlined in my BYU game-by-game predictions last week. I still think the Cougars will make it to a bowl game this year, but they are going to need some better QB play to make that happen.
SMU kicker (Collin Rogers)
How do I pick him up on my fantasy team?
Collin Rogers made history for SMU on Friday night by setting a new single-game record with five field goals. Among his impressive kicks was a 45-yarder with 6:17 remaining that evened the score. Rogers also nailed field goals from 53, 52, 38, and 28 yards, bringing his career total to 44 and tying him for the most field goals in Mustangs history.
