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| The game wasn't BYU's biggest loss on Saturday. Zach Wilson is expected to miss time due to injured thumb (Colter Peterson, Deseret News). |
The BYU Cougars suffered more than one setback against the Toledo Rockets on Saturday.
BYU recovered a fumble at its own 20-yard line with 1:09 to play. The Cougars gave the ball right back on the next play. Zach Wilson's pass was intercepted and returned to the two-yard line. That play, essentially, lost the game for BYU. Toledo broke a 21-21 tie on the next play with a two-yard touchdown run.
Wilson did not come back on the field for BYU's final drive. The thumb on Wilson's throwing hand was injured on the same play he threw the interception. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake has already said back-up quarterback Jaren Hall will start the next game in two weeks at South Florida.
The game started with Toledo receiving the opening kickoff. The Rockets were able to move into BYU territory, but Tyler Allgeier and Zac Dawe comined for a sack on 3rd and 8 to force a punt.
BYU was backed up at its own five-yard line following the punt. The Cougars were able to dig out of the hole, but a false start penalty on 3rd and 1 proved to be a drive killer.
Toledo, again, moved into BYU territory. The Rockets converted a 4th and 2 from the BYU 40-yard line, but it was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty.
Wilson completed a 43-yard pass to Gunner Romney to get the Cougars into Toledo territory. Three straight incomplete passes from the 34-yard line led to BYU giving the ball over on downs.
Two plays later, Peyton Wilgar got interception number two for the season. That gave BYU the ball in great field position, but the Cougars moved backwards seven yards on the drive and punted with 17 seconds left in the first quarter.
Toledo broke the scoreless tie on a 45-yard field goal with 11:02 to play in the second quarter. BYU attempted to tie the game after Wilson was sacked for a nine-yard loss on third down from the Toledo 13-yard line. The 39-yard field goal attempt missed.
The Cougars quickly found themselves in scoring territory again. The BYU defense forced a three and out, Aleva Hifo returned the Toledo punt 45 yards. Three plays later, Emmanuel Esukpa ran the ball into the end zone from 32 yards out.
Following another Toledo punt, BYU had a chance to build on its 7-3 lead. With under a minute to play in the half, BYU missed its second field goal of the game.
The Cougars opened the second half with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Hifo on 3rd and 10. Toledo answered with another field goal to make the score 14-6.
Trading touchdowns for field goals looked good for BYU. However, on the Rockets next possession, it was clear the game had changed.
BYU had contained the Rockets potent rushing attack in the first half. That would not be the case in the second. Using a heavy dose of runs to move down the field, Toledo got into the end zone for the first time with an 18-yard pass on 4th and 3. The two-point conversion was good, which tied the game, 14-14.
The BYU offense was sputtering and had to punt, again. Toledo mishandled the punt, and Dayan Ghanwoloku was there to recover. Esukpa carried the ball for 17 yards to set up another Wilson-to-Hifo touchdown pass from three yards out.
BYU was ahead again, but it wouldn't last long. The Cougar D still had no answer for the Rocket offense. Toledo scored another touchdown to tie the game at 21 three plays into the fourth quarter.
Neither team was able to put a scoring drive together throughout most of the fourth quarter. Toledo was threatening with less than two minutes to play, but Chaz Ah You forced and recovered a fumble with 1:09 to play. Unfortunately, BYU gave it back the very next play on an interception that was returned to the BYU two-yard line. Toledo scored the game-winning touchdown on the next play.
Jaren Hall took the helm at quarterback for the final 51 seconds. He completed three passes for 39 yards to move BYU down to the Toledo 32-yard line. His throw to the end zone on the final play of the game was incomplete.
Toledo wins 28-21.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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