The Brigham Young Cougars turned four Boise State Broncos turnovers into 10 points Friday night, more than enough to give the Cougars a 37-20 win at home. It extended BYU's win streak to five since losing to the rival Utah Utes, and it was Boise State's third loss. In Chris Petersen's eight seasons as head coach, this is only the second time the Broncos have lost three games.
Boise State vs. BYU reaction: Turnovers doom Broncos
BYU and Boise State had the spotlight to themselves Friday night, and the Broncos were flat.
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The Cougars dominated the first half, forcing Boise to turn it over on downs on the first drive of the game. The Cougars responded with a missed field goal, but they took a 10-0 lead after forcing three-and-outs on the Broncos’ next two drives.
By the end of the first half, the Cougars had built a 21-3 lead. Boise had made a field goal, committed two turnovers on downs, punted twice and fumbled once.
The Broncos weren’t down and out, and they proved as much with their second-half defense, forcing three-and-outs on five of eight total drives after halftime. But while BYU couldn’t move the ball, Boise kept giving it back. Two fumbles and an interception proved too much to overcome.
Jordan Guy Edwards at Vanquish the Foe was pleased with the home team’s results:
The third quarter once again started out slow and dragged on as predictive play calling and a lack of execution stymied the Cougar offense. This was the second week in a row that the Cougars came out slower in the second half. There were multiple three and outs and after a Boise State touchdown it seemed that there could be a window of opportunity for the Broncos to get back into the game. The stage was set for a comeback, but it never materialized.
Jeremy Mauss at the Mountain West Connection argued that Boise State’s most basic problem was on the defensive side of the ball, despite the four turnovers (not including the three turnovers on downs).
This was a two possession game in the fourth quarter, but the issues were turnovers and poor tackling. “We did not tackle well enough, ” Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said. “They’re a physical team, starting with the quarterback. The receivers were big and created a little space. We had chances to hang on, but we were running by them and whiffing.”
There were plenty of times where a BYU player just shoved a Boise State defender to the side for a few a few more yards and kept the chains moving, and it happened enough to be a really issue.
After the game, BYU was invited to play in the Fight Hunger Bowl, a bowl bid the Cougars will accept it the BCS doesn't come calling.
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