Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 13 BYU’s 34-20 victory over Utah State

The Deseret News is providing live coverage from tonight’s game between Utah State and No. 13 BYU. Follow along for updates throughout the night.

Final

BYU 34, Utah State 20

BYU found a way to gut out a victory over Utah State at Maverik Stadium, even with a handful of key players out with injuries.

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Utah State made it a one-score game by marching 90 yards in 14 plays after BYU tacked on a field goal to start the fourth quarter. Logan Bonner led a gutsy drive that ended with Bonner hitting Deven Thompkins for a 28-yard touchdown to make it 27-20 with 9:52 to play.

That’s when Tyler Allgeier took over for BYU. On the ensuing drive, Allgeier ran 67 yards on the first play of the drive to the Utah State 1 — the play was initially called a touchdown before it was ruled he came up short — and Allgeier punched it in two plays later to make it a 34-20 game.

Bonner was hurt on the Aggies’ next drive and was replaced by Andrew Peasley. USU’s drive stalled, and Allgeier had a handful of key runs on BYU’s next drive that, while it didn’t end up in points, ran the clock down to under three minutes.

BYU’s Jakob Robinson picked off Peasley on the ensuing drive, and the Cougars ran out the clock.

Allgeier rushed for a career-high 218 yards and three touchdowns as BYU improved to 5-0 on the season.

QB change for Utah State

The Aggies now have their own change at quarterback, with Andrew Peasley coming in after Logan Bonner left the game. Bonner was hurt after throwing an incomplete pass on the drive after the Cougars extended their lead to 34-20, and Peasley entered the contest. Utah State punted the ball six plays later.

End of 3rd quarter

BYU 24, Utah State 13

The dynamic of this game changed with Jacob Conover coming in at quarterback for BYU for an injured Baylor Romney to start the second half. As such, this has turned into a defensive struggle.

The Cougars have punted the ball the first three drives with Conover at quarterback, after putting up just 6 yards on 10 plays. BYU finally got a drive going and is deep into Utah State territory as we head into the fourth quarter.

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The Aggies had their chance to capitalize on BYU’s offensive struggles, but the Cougars defense came up with a big fourth-down stop. USU had driven to BYU’s 33-yard line on its seccond drive of the half, but John Gentry was stopped by Chaz Ah You for no gain on a fourth-and-1 to end the threat.

QB change for BYU

Freshman Jacob Conover started the third quarter for BYU in his first college game action. The Cougars’ third-string quarterback became the backup against USU when Jaren Hall wasn’t available for the second straight game, and Baylor Romney got the start against the Aggies. Just before halftime, Romney hit his head on the turf, though he finished out that drive. CBS Sports Network reported Romney is out for the rest of the game.

Halftime

BYU 24, Utah State 13

Both teams were moving the ball in the second quarter, as the Cougars and Aggies scored on two possessions in the quarter.

BYU scored first in the quarter when Baylor Romney hit Isaac Rex for a 15-yard touchdown pass. That capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that started late in the first quarter.

Utah State responded with an impressive 18-play, 75-yard drive where the Aggies converted four third downs (one on a penalty) and a fourth down before Bonner scrambled and hit Justin McGriff for a 21-yard touchdown on a third-and-15 to make it 17-10.

But BYU had a quick answer to that score, when Tyler Allgeier ran 59 yards for a touchdown on a third-and-2. It was Allgeier’s second touchdown of the first half. He has 97 rushing yards at the half.

Utah State then had a promising drive that ended with a Connor Coles 45-yard field goal to make it an 11-point game, and BYU’s Jake Oldroyd missed a 45-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half.

Both teams are having little trouble moving the ball through the air. Romney has completed 15 of 19 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown, while Bonner has completed 12 of 21 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.

End of 1st Quarter

BYU 10, Utah State 3

There is plenty of offense, particularly for BYU, in the early going of this game.

The Cougars moved quickly on their first drive, going 74 yards in three plays to go up 7-0 on a Tyler Allgeier 22-yard touchdown run. That was set up by a 42-yard reception by Puka Nacua from Baylor Romney, who is starting for Jaren Hall at quarterback.

Utah State got the ball first, but its opening drive came to an end when BYU cornerback Malik Moore made an impressive one-handed interception at the Cougar 26.

Both teams added field goals later in the quarter — Jake Oldroyd hit a 49-yarder, and Connor Coles made a 52-yarder — thought BYU missed a chance to get a second touchdown. Its second drive reached the USU 1 before the Aggies pushed them back.

The Cougars have 146 yards of total offense, compared to 59 for Utah State.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game: