Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s 27-23 loss to South Florida
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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
Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.
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TAMPA, Fla. — BYU’s struggles continued to mount Saturday, as the Cougars fell 27-23 to South Florida at Raymond James Stadium.
Down to its third-string quarterback, Baylor Romney, the Cougars fell to 2-4 on their third straight loss as Romney’s pass on the final play was knocked to the ground in the end zone.
The Bulls took their first lead of the game with 7:37 to play on a Jordan Cronkrite 3-yard run to cap a 78-yard touchdown drive.
BYU was then forced to play Romney to try to complete the comeback, as Romney entered for an injured Jaren Hall following USF’s go-ahead score. Hall, who completed 15 of 23 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to go with a team-high 83 yards rushing and another score, was making his first start in relief of original starter Zach Wilson.
Romney got the Cougars down inside the USF 10, but BYU failed to convert on a fourth down, though the Cougars — with three timeouts — got the ball back with 1:09 to play.
BYU reached the USF 12 before a sack forced the Cougars into a fourth down at the Bulls 20. Romney’s last-gasp pass was then knocked away, giving USF (3-3) the win.
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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
Here are three takeaways that defined this game.
Rushing defense struggles again
BYU’s much-maligned defense again gave up chunks of yardage on the ground, this time to the tune of 243 rushing on 44 carries for USF.
The Bulls were led by Jordan Cronkrite, who had 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. His two touchdowns came in the second half, including the game-winning 3-yard run with 7:37 to play.
🚨 @USFFootball take the lead on Jordan Cronkrite's 2nd rushing TOUCHDOWN! 🚨
The go-ahead drive for South Florida was nine plays — all runs — and covered 78 yards, including a 41-yard run from Cronkrite.
Hall shows off his rushing skills
The dual-threat BYU quarterback Hall made several plays with his legs, highlighted by his 29-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to build the Cougars’ lead to 23-14.
The redshirt freshman taking it to the HOUSE for @BYUfootball!
That was set up by a 32-yard Hall run earlier in the drive that got BYU into USF territory. Hall’s 83 rushing yards came on 16 carries, a 5.2 per-carry average.
Failing to finish
Even with some of the offensive successes — BYU was 7 of 7 on third-and-short situations — the Cougars struggled to finish. On eight drives inside the USF 35-yard line, the Cougars came away with just two touchdowns.
On those eight drives, BYU also had three first-half field goals and a missed field goal in the fourth quarter, as well as Romney’s two late drives with the Cougars trailing that both ended with a turnover on downs.
