Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) looks to pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Backup kicker Justen Smith made a field goal early in the fourth quarter to stretch BYU’s lead to 11. Arizona still had chances and a glimmer of hope when Lucas Havrisik made a field goal with 49 seconds to go, but the Cougars held on.
3rd quarter
BYU 21, Arizona 13
After scoring a touchdown midway through the quarter to make the score 21-3, it appeared BYU was starting to take control of the contest. Arizona then had to punt, but the Wildcats pinned the Cougars at their 1 yard line and got a safety. They then scored a touchdown just three plays later and converted on a 2-point try.
BYU then had to punt on its next drive.
1 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) scores a touchdown past Arizona Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman (23) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
2 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) yells after coming off the field during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
3 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) celebrates a sack on Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
4 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona Wildcats during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
5 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) dives for a touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
6 of 50
BYU players pause during warmups in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
7 of 50
BYU football players warm up in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
8 of 50
Arizona Wildcats and Brigham Young Cougars play during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
9 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars take the field during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
10 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Blake Mangelson (93) tackles Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
11 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) scores on an two point conversion during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
12 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Jakob Robinson (0) and Brigham Young Cougars defensive back D'Angelo Mandell (5) celebrate a defensive stand during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
13 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars placekicker Justen Smith (37) kicks off during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
14 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake talks with the referee during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
15 of 50
Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson attends the game during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
16 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs after receiving a reverse pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
17 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars runner Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrates his touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
18 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) looks to pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
19 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) takes a snap during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
20 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) grabs a pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
21 of 50
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Will Plummer (15) is sacked by the BYU defense during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
22 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (33) calls a play after a tackle during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
23 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) rushes during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
24 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) pushes down Arizona Wildcats safety Jaxen Turner (21) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
25 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Keenan Ellis (2) is injured during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
26 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Keenan Ellis (2) is injured during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
27 of 50
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) is sacked by the BYU defense during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
28 of 50
Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson attends the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
29 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) scores a touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
30 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) scores a touchdown past Arizona Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman (23) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
31 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Micah Harper cheers on the sideline during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
32 of 50
A BYU fan dressed as Elvis cheers during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
33 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrate his touchdown with Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua (58) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
34 of 50
BYU fans take photos outside the Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
35 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall warms up in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
36 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars sing the fight song during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
37 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars athletic director Tom Holmoe watches the game during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
38 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) pitches the ball during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
39 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Hayden Livingston (28) celebrates his interception during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
40 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Justen Smith (37) makes a field goal during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
41 of 50
The Brigham Young Cougars defense celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona Wildcats during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
42 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Isaiah Herron (11) is called for interference on Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham (11) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
43 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Morgan Pyper (10) dives for Arizona Wildcats Stanley Berryhill during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
44 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dallin Holker (32) has the ball batted away by Arizona Wildcats cornerback Treydan Stukes (20) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
45 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake shows how Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) scored during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
46 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Hayden Livingston (28) upends Arizona Wildcats tight end Alex Lines (88) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
47 of 50
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
48 of 50
BYU fans cheer during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
49 of 50
BYU fans attend the game at the Allegiant Stadium during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
50 of 50
BYU and Arizona face off at Allegiant Stadium during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Halftime
BYU 14, Arizona 3
After not doing much in the first quarter, BYU quarterback Jaren Hall got in a rhythm early in the second, completing 6 of 7 passes on a drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown run by Tyler Allgeier (extra point missed) to give the Cougars the lead.
Arizona responded with a solid drive of its own before it stalled and Lucas Havrisik came on for a 31-yard field goal try that he missed.
On the ensuing drive, BYU had a few short plays before Hall stepped up under pressure and delivered a beautiful ball to Neil Pau’u, who was open and took it to the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown. Minus a point after the missed extra, the Cougars tried a 2-point conversion and Lopini Katoa punched it home.
Inside of two minutes to go before halftime, Arizona put together another good drive before once again getting stalled. This time, however, Havrisik made a 28-yard field goal to get the Wildcats on the board just before intermission.
At halftime, BYU has 235 yards of offense to 172 for Arizona. Hall is 10 of 16 for 148 yards with the touchdown. Allgeier has 55 rushing yards on nine carries with the score and Lopini Katoa has 23 yards on seven carries. Pau’u has 106 receiving yards on five receptions.
In a first quarter that had little flow to it, neither team got going much offensively. BYU finished the frame with 69 yards of offense — 58 via the run game — while Arizona had just 39.
Injury delay
The game has been delayed with 10:12 remaining in the first quarter and the score at 0-0 after BYU defensive back Keenan Ellis went down with an injury. He is being attended to by BYU’s training staff.
Pregame prep
Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game:
