As time expires, backup quarterback Baylor Romney’s end zone pass falls incomplete, and BYU loses to the USF Bulls 27-23 on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
Dick Harmon
By Dick Harmon
Dick Harmon is a sports columnist for the Deseret News in his fourth decade reporting on college athletics.

TAMPA, Fla. — Redshirt freshman Baylor Romney found himself trying to beat South Florida on a last-gasp, game-winning drive Saturday in an NFL stadium and his dramatic effort fell short when defenders batted down his desperation pass in the end zone in a 27-23 BYU loss.

It was the same situation redshirt freshman Jaren Hall found himself in two weeks ago in a loss at Toledo when he replaced starting sophomore QB Zach Wilson.

“I was proud of him and I could see it in his eyes that he believed he could drive us down there and score,” BYU running back Lopini Katoa, on Baylor Romney

“I was proud of him and I could see it in his eyes that he believed he could drive us down there and score,” said running back Lopini Katoa.

Romney’s attempt at heroism died on the knocked-down last-second pass to where tight end Matt Bushman and receiver Dax Milne were positioned with two USF defenders.

Romney was put in this position when Hall, in his first career start, left the game late in the fourth quarter with the Cougars trying to mount a comeback drive to win. Hall left the game with a concussion and could not return after being evaluated to pass the concussion protocol.

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BYU running back Lopini Katoa is stopped after making a first down in second-half action against the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Linebacker Chaz Ah You intercepts a pass in BYU's loss to USF at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake looks up at the scoreboard as time winds down in BYU's defeat against USF at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Third-string quarterback Baylor Romney rushes for a first down after he enters the game against USF following Jaren Hall's injury, in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Third-string BYU quarterback Baylor Romney enters the game after Jaren Hall is injured in the fourth quarter against USF, in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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University of South Florida fans celebrate a rushing touchdown in the Bulls victory over BYU in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU wide receiver Talon Shumway is upended after making a big gain at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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USF's Jordan McCloud celebrates after scoring a touchdown as the Bull beat the BYU Cougars in Tampa, Fla. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake lead his team in singing the Cougar Fight Song to a large crowd of BYU fans gathered at the end of the game against USF in Tampa, Fla. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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As time expires, backup quarterback Baylor Romney's end zone pass falls incomplete, and BYU loses to the USF Bulls 27-23. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and running backs coach AJ Steward react to a touchdown in the first half against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU's Zach Wilson sits on the sidelines with th thumb of his throwing hand in a cast, prior to BYU's game at USF | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU starting quarterback Jaren Hall scrambles during the first half against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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The BYU Football team warms up in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Florida. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU's Aleva Hifo tiptoes down the sideline for extra yardage, in the first half against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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The BYU Football team arrives at Raymond James Stadium for their matchup with the University of South Florida. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU's Isaiah Kaufusi recovers a fumble in first-half action against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Lincoln Mills (left) and his mom Cassidy Mills of Provo, Ut, walk to Raymond James stadium for BYU's game against the University of South Florida. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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KLyle Petersen of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. tailgates prior to the BYU game with USF in Tampa. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Fans file into Raymond James Stadium before the game between BYU and the University of South Florida in Tampa. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU's Khyiris Tonga warms up before a game with the University of South Florida in Tampa. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU wide receiver Gunner Romney grabs a reception in double coverage in a game against USF at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Cougar fans react to BYU's defeat as game time winds down against USF in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Cougar fans react to BYU's defeat as game time winds down against USF in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU tight end Matt Bushman runs for additional yards after making a catch against USF in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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BYU cheerleaders cheer to Cougar fans in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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USF players celebrate after stopping BYU's offense on fourth down in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Quarterback Jaren Hall rushes for a first down in the second half of BYU's defeat against USF in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News
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Starting quarterback Jaren Hall escapes pressure from the USF defense in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Robert W. Grover, For the Deseret News

Hall finished with 15 of 23 passing for 148 yards and one touchdown. He did not have a turnover and rushed for 83 yards, including a dramatic 29-yard touchdown run. His lone TD pass came to Dax Milne, a second-quarter play that put the Cougars up 10-0.

Romney ran on the field after BYU relinquished leads of 13-0 and 23-14 at the end of the third quarter and then failed to score at all in the final quarter as the Bulls scored two touchdowns, the latest coming with 7:37 left in the game.

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Far too much in BYU’s loss to South Florida looked familiar
BYU lets another close game get away with another second-half collapse on the road, falls 27-23 to South Florida

Romney got two drives, and his first ended up dying on a five-yard pass to his brother Gunner Romney after 13 plays to USF’s five, short of a first down on fourth-and-7.

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His second began on USF’s 26 with 1:09 left in the game. He hit Gunner for 22, ran for 8, hit Talon Shumway for a gain of 17 and an interference call gave him a first and 10 at USF’s 12.  But after two incompletions and sack, his attempt at a fourth-down game-winner with 4 seconds to play didn’t have a chance.

“He got a lot of reps and played really great in practice. I felt when he came in he did exactly what he needed to do. We had a chance down there when time expired,” said offensive lineman James Empey.

Head coach Kalani Sitake said Hall will be evaluated Monday to determine when he can return. Wilson was at the game, his throwing hand in a cast, and said he was not allowed to be interviewed.

If Hall cannot pass protocol, BYU will prepare on Monday with Romney as the starter and Joe Critchlow his backup against Boise State.

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