BYU’s defense painted a masterpiece in second half against punchless Utes, leading to 22-21 win

BYU’s 22-21 win over Utah in the rivalry game late Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium will be remembered for Jake Retzlaff’s late-game heroics, Will Ferrin’s game-winning 44-yard field goal, and, of course, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan’s postgame rant about the Big 12 officiating.

Somewhat lost in what Retzlaff called “sheer pandemonium” was how BYU’s defense played in the second half, after getting pushed around repeatedly in the first half by Utah’s third-string quarterback, Brandon Rose, and the Utes’ re-energized offensive line.

After scoring touchdowns on their final three possessions of the first half to take a 21-10 lead at the break, Utah had six possessions in the second half, and they ended with five punts and an interception by Crew Wakley — who got a measure of revenge after giving up a first-half touchdown pass to Brant Kuithe.

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Utah averaged 3.2 yards per play in the second half, picking up only 79 yards and four first downs.

“Yeah, those guys were unbelievable. They were flying around in the second half. It was a lot of fun to watch them. I was trying to get on the phone to talk to the guys upstairs and next thing you know it is fourth down (and time to go back on the field),” Retzlaff said. “We had a lot of possessions in the second half, thanks to them.

“It is fun to be able to lean on them when you need to, and we have a lot of times this year, and this week we did, too. So I am just happy we don’t have to face them this year, other than in practice. We don’t have to do it for real. I don’t want to get hit by Jack Kelly. Do you?”

Utah punted on its first possession, then ran an ill-advised gadget play on its second series that was picked off by Jakob Robinson. Rose jumpstarted the U. offense with a 27-yard run the last play of the first quarter, and four plays later found Kuithe for the score.

Kuithe sustained a season-ending injury, according to Utah Kyle Whittingham, in the second half. Whittingham said it appeared Kuithe was tackled from behind when the ball was going to a different receiver, but replays showed that Robinson was trailing the big tight end and Kuithe tripped or stumbled.

Whatever the case, Utah’s offense went stagnant, and really conservative, in the second half, and BYU’s defense was a big reason why.

“Let’s just not spot them so many points next time with some of the mistakes that we made,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake, who got his 70th career win. “But you have to give them credit, especially for those three drives that they scored on. We gotta find a way to get off the field. So not perfect, but we will work on it and see if we can get there.”

In the second half, BYU was as close to perfect, shutting out the Utes and figuring out Rose. He finished 12 of 21 for two touchdowns and one interception. Damien Alford threw the ball that was picked off by Robinson.

“Obviously we didn’t play our best, especially in the first half. We talked about it at halftime; We thought 30 minutes was still enough time for us to come back and get a victory,” Sitake said.

Indeed it was.

“Credit to Jay (Hill) and the defensive staff for doing that,” Sitake said.

Harrison Taggart led BYU with eight tackles, while Kelly and Isaiah Glasker added seven apiece, and John Nelson had five, a high total for an interior defensive lineman.

BYU now has 16 interceptions, tied for second-most nationally with James Madison. Cal leads with 17.

It was Robinson’s third interception of the season, and 11th in his career. He’s second behind Kai Nacua, who had 13 picks, for most at BYU since 2000.

Glasker, who is developing into one of the best defenders in the Big 12, said the Cougars were ready for what the Utes were throwing at them in the first half, but just weren’t executing well.

“Honestly, just staying gap sound (was the key adjustment),” he said. “I feel like we were kind of timid from the jump. They had a few big runs and we just kind of had to lock in.”

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Glasker said the Cougars prepared for both Rose and freshman Isaac Wilson (both played in Utah’s 17-14 loss to Houston two weeks ago) and also for quarterback runs because Oklahoma State used those successfully against BYU last month.

“They got a few yards on us. We knew that was coming. For the most part, we prepared for both quarterbacks, I would say. Mostly for Wilson, but we were ready for both of them,” Glasker said.

Safety Raider Damuni tied his career-high with four tackles, while cornerback Mory Bamba had three takedowns, a career high for him.

“Proud of the players, the leadership. The guys stepped up and found a way to make plays. It wasn’t pretty in a lot of different ways, but you have to give a lot of credit to Utah and the way they played the game,” Sitake said. “It was just nice to flip it over and get the win and hold them to 21 points, shut them out, basically, in the second half.”

Up next for BYU is Kansas, which will be coming off a 45-36 upset of Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Jayhawks (3-6, 2-4) have won two of their last three, and almost upset nationally ranked Kansas State in Manhattan on Oct. 26 before falling 29-27.

BYU is a 3-point favorite in the game that will kick of at 8:15 p.m. MST and be televised by ESPN.

Cougars on the air

Kansas (3-6, 2-4) at No. 7 BYU (6-0, 9-0)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MST

At LaVell Edwards Stadium

Provo, Utah

TV: ESPN

Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM