BYU needs to get selfish against Bearcats

Turnovers were the Cougars’ undoing against the Jayhawks. BYU will need to be much less giving when facing Cincinnati in its Big 12 home opener Friday

Published: Sept 25, 2023, 11:30 a.m. MDT

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis passes the ball during a game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. The BYU quarterback was picked off twice agains the Jayhawks, once of which was returned for a touchdown. Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+.

The scriptures teach “charity never faileth” but in football, sometimes it does. The Cougars took a giving spirit into Kansas and were punished for it. A fumble return, a pick-six and another interception led to 21 points in an 11-point defeat, 38-27.

BYU ran more plays for more yards than the Jayhawks. It also had fewer punts and fewer penalties, but what the Cougars couldn’t do, and likely won’t do against any Big 12 foe, is win a game when losing the turnover battle. Turnovers are that critical, especially for an underdog who is finding its way in a brand-new conference.

Cougars on the air

Cincinnati (2-2)
at BYU (3-1)
Friday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
LaVell Edwards Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: 102.7 FM/1160 AM

It doesn’t matter how turnovers happen, but it certainly matters when and where they happen.

Kansas defensive back Cobee Bryant separated the ball from Parker Kingston with a hit so hard that it knocked Kingston out of the game on BYU’s second play. Bryant then scooped up the ball and ran 22 yards for the touchdown.

The third quarter began with a tipped pass off the hands of Isaac Rex and into the waiting arms of Kenny Logan. He pulled it in and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Two plays — 14 points. Instead of a 17-7 BYU lead, which the Cougar defense had categorically earned, the Jayhawks celebrated a 21-17 advantage and never looked back.

The fact that Kansas collected a pair of touchdowns, while its highly touted tandem of quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal rested on the sidelines, spelled BYU’s eventual doom. Once the Cougars wore out in the second half, the Jayhawks ran wild, picking up 172 of their 221 rushing yards without a single turnover.

Slovis’ second interception late in the third quarter on a fourth down triggered a seven-play, 64-yard scoring drive to give Kansas an unsurmountable 35-20 lead.

Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (20) is tackled by BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold waits to run onto the field with his team before an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) reaches for but is unable to grab a pass meant for BYU wide receiver Keanu Hill, left, as Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs (5) also defends during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) attempts to get past BYU's Kamden Garrett (7) and Raider Damuni (33) as he scrambles for a first down during the third quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

Kansas tight end Trevor Kardell (45) celebrates with Kansas tight end Mason Fairchild (89) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) rushes for a first down as BYU safety Ethan Slade (26) defends during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Brigham Young running back LJ Martin (27) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Brigham Young running back LJ Martin (27) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU running back LJ Martin (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) catches a pass under pressure from Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU wide receiver Keanu Hill is tackled by Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

CORRECTS RECEIVER TO BYU'S DARIUS LASSITER, INSTEAD OF KANSAS' DOUG EMILIEN - BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is tackled by Kansas cornerback Kwinton Lassiter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is tripped up by Kansas linebacker Jayson Gilliom (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas running back Devin Neal, center, runs the ball between BYU cornerback Kamden Garrett (7) and BYU linebacker AJ Vongphachanh, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) passes the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas wide receivers Luke Grimm (11) and Quentin Skinner (0) celebrate after Grimm scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU tight end Isaac Rex, center, is tackled by Kansas linebacker Donovan Gaines (20) and safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU tight end Isaac Rex, center, is tackled by Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1), linebacker JB Brown (28) and cornerback Kwinton Lassiter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) after intercepting a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

Kansas players warm up on the field before an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) catches a 37-yard pass as Kansas cornerback Kalon Gervin (18) defends during the third quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) reacts with wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) as he adjusts a play at the line during an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

To their credit, the Jayhawks did all the taking and BYU did all the giving — and that included the Cougar ground attack, which the Jayhawks took away all together and allowed only 9 yards on 22 carries.

A week earlier at Arkansas, it was BYU doing the taking in the form of a Max Tooley interception and a Tyler Batty fumble recovery. The Razorbacks forced a Chase Roberts fumble earlier in the game, but the 2-1 turnover margin gave BYU just enough of an edge to win, 38-31.

Injury-riddled Cougars’ depth will be tested in a big way when Cincinnati visits for Big 12 home opener

Analysis: BYU’s one-dimensional attack exposed in first Big 12 football game, Kansas rolls to 38-27 win

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A victory Friday night against Cincinnati (2-2) will require the Cougars (3-1) to embrace selfishness and all its synonyms. They need to be greedy with field possession, stingy at the line of scrimmage, egocentric in the secondary, self-indulgent in running and passing, self-centered in scoring, and ungenerous when it comes to turnovers.

Basically, they must save charity for the postgame handshakes because when it shows up in the game, the team that does the most giving is often the one who fails to win.

The preseason idea that BYU could finish September with a 4-1 record was dismissed by many as a form of blue-goggledness. Despite Saturday’s effort at Kansas, such a start is there for the taking. But to get it, the Cougars must do a lot less giving.

Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Austin Booker after intercepting a pass for a touchdown during against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press

Dave McCann is a contributor to the Deseret News and is the studio host for “BYU Sports Nation Game Day,” “The Post Game Show,” “After Further Review,” and play-by-play announcer for BYUtv. He is also co-host of “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com.

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