Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s season-opening win over Sam Houston
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) and quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrate after Slovis scored a touchdown, putting BYU up 7-0 after the PAT, during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
It wasn’t pretty, but the BYU Cougars came away with a win in its 2023 season opener Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium, beating the Sam Houston Bearkats 14-0.
The Cougars started well but played poorly on offense for most of the night before finally getting a second touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and the defense did its job against a visibly overmatched Sam Houston offense.
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates with players after a touchdown during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars linebacker AJ Vongphachanh (10) and quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrate after their 14-0 win over the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) and quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrate after Slovis scored a touchdown, putting BYU up 7-0 after the PAT, during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars cornerback Jakob Robinson (0) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) looks for an open receiver during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) runs the ball in for a touchdown, putting BYU up 7-0 after the PAT, during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Students fill the stands before the game between the BYU Cougars and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterbacks take the field before the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) warms up before the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) warms up before the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Dom Henry (86) warms up before the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) hypes up the quarterbacks before taking the field against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) warms up before the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sam Houston Bearkats quarterback Keegan Shoemaker (5) passes during the game against the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Da'Veawn Armstead (2) almost intercepts a pass intended for BYU Cougars tight end Isaac Rex (83) during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars fans cheer during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Deion Smith (20) runs the ball during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Aidan Robbins (3) moves the ball during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) runs during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Donovan Adkins (12) tackles BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake and Sam Houston Bearkats head coach K.C. Keeler embrace after the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) fights his way from the 1-yard-line to score, putting the Cougars up 14-0 after the PAT, during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) is tackled by Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Elias Escobar (36) during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sam Houston Bearkats head coach K.C. Keeler reacts after referees confirmed a BYU interception after reviewing a play during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) makes a catch during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars players celebrate after their 14-0 win over the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars players enter the field before the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars players enter the field before the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Sam Houston Bearkats head coach K.C. Keeler walks on the field during a time out in the game against the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) drops back during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) passes during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
4th quarter
BYU 14, Sam Houston 0
14:49 — At the 1-yard line to begin the fourth quarter, BYU finally got its second touchdown of the game as Kedon Slovis fought forward toward the end zone.
Once again, no points were scored in the third quarter, although BYU has just a yard to go for a touchdown heading into the fourth after a wild sequence of events that saw the Cougars be on the right side of a controversial interception, followed by getting a second chance after Sam Houston was called for a penalty on a blocked field goal attempt.
No points were scored by either side in the second quarter as BYU clings to the lead heading into halftime. The Cougar offense has been inept after scoring a touchdown on its first drive of the game. The defense has pitched a shutout so far, although Sam Houston’s offense got going a little bit more as the second quarter progressed.
1st quarter
BYU 7, Sam Houston 0
10:39 — After getting a three and out on the first drive of the game, BYU got the ball at midfield thanks to a nice punt return from Hobbs Nyberg and methodically moved down the field in eight plays, capped by Kedon Slovis’ first rushing touchdown of his career from five yards out.
Cougs score their first TD of the season on a 5YD @Kedonslovis run.
