BYU's sideline erupts in hard-charging win over Arkansas. (Photo by BYU Athletics)
BYU Cougars by the Numbers: 81 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for a loss, and two forced turnovers.
The Cougars defense was playing at an elite level. They were forced to defend 17 more plays than Arkansas’ defense (74 to 57) and were on the field over ten minutes longer of playing time (35:10 to 24:50). BYU was playing tired, yet they were resilient, kept at it, giving their offense chances and keeping the game winnable. Jay Hill is making a difference already and allowing Kalani Sitake to spread his efforts everywhere like a good head coach should.
Andrew George-Jonny Harline Game Winning Play: Chase Roberts’ touchdown catch.
You had to know this was going to the one. It was the go-ahead score that proved to be the final margin. It was the best play of the weekend. Chase Roberts’ touchdown catch was the game-winning play and was one that will be remembered forever in BYU football lore. Roberts did this after an ugly early fumble. Him overcoming this was the BYU Bounce Back and it was in the biggest of ways in the most crucial of moments.
Jaren Hall Offensive Player of the Game: Parker Kingston
Kingston had two huge touchdowns for BYU. His pass to Deion Smith kept BYU in the game and started the scoring for them and made the game 14-7 after the Cougars were down 14. His second half touchdown catch and run tied the game 31-31. Kingston is BYU’s Zach Wilson Newcomer of the Game as well. He had three yards rushing, 37 yards passing, 46 yards receiving, and 56 yards kick returning to go with his two touchdowns for the Cougars.
Kyle Van Noy Defensive Player of the Game: Tyler Batty.
Easily the Cougars best defensive lineman, Batty had nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered. Big 12 quarterbacks will have to know where he is before every passing play starting with Kansas. Having talent at all three levels is a big reason the BYU defense is thriving early this year, and Tyler Batty is their man on the defensive line.
Royal Blue-Collar Player of the Game: L.J. Martin
The true freshman is on track to be the next BYU star running back. Early in the season Martin is following in the footsteps of Tyler Allgeier and Jamaal Williams. His big touchdown run tied BYU with Arkansas after being down 14-0. Thanks to a huge block by Kingsley Suamataia, Martin was sprung for the big gain and touchdown. L.J. Martin would finish the day with 88 total yards on 25 total touches and two big touchdowns for BYU.
Dax Milne Quietly Doing Your Job Award: Kedon Slovis.
The big plays for BYU were abundant and most of the stars on said plays were guys other than the quarterback. Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts stole the show in the passing game but credit Slovis for getting them the ball for two big touchdowns. Slovis was 13 of 25 for 167 yards but his zero interceptions were almost as big as his two touchdowns.
Big Shoes to Fill: The Wide Receivers.
Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts did a great job filling in for budding NFL star Puka Nacua who did it all for BYU in 2022. It is a big help to Slovis and the offense to know that Roberts, Kingston, Epps, Hill, Lassiter, and Rex are all out there making the passing game a powerful force in the game.
Payne Family Special Teams Players of the Game: Ryan Rehkow and Will Ferrin. The untested Ferrin was one of two field goals but his one was a big one. Often times games like this on the road against a tough opponent can come down to special teams and BYU’s played good enough for the win.
Loyal, Strong, and True: Class and Historical Moment: BYU honored Arkansas Razorback legends Alex Collins and Ryan Mallet.
Collins and Mallet both passed away unexpectedly and far too soon this year. The Cougars showed their respect by running out with a flag that paid tribute to these Arkansas legends who are mourned by their families and across the country. Showing love for your opponent like this goes beyond sports and I’m thankful BYU did it.
LaVell Edwards Coaching Moments of the Game: Parker Kingston’s touchdown pass to get the Cougars started.
It sparked the largest comeback of Coach Kalani’s career. That was a brilliant call on the road, and down early. This play gave BYU the spark and confidence it needed to not panic, settle in, fight and ultimately win the game.
1984 National Champion Moment of the Game: The win itself. I had thought of focusing on the improvement the BYU defense showed on third down. They had given up 12 of 15 last year to Razorbacks in Provo and gave up only two of 13 this year at Arkansas. While this stat is important to the victory, this win had an energy to it.
It felt like the kind of win that a team can use to their advantage for the rest of the season. A win that they can point to when things are tough and say; “Hey. We did that. We can do this.” Depending on how well the Cougars do this year, a lot of the success will be able to be traced back directly to this win and the never say die attitude BYU had in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
