BYU vs Colorado: A Gritty Comeback Keeps Cougars Unbeaten

In a thrilling Saturday night showdown that tested their resilience, the 25th-ranked BYU Cougars mounted a second-half comeback to defeat the Colorado Buffaloes 24-21. This victory marks BYU’s second consecutive 4-0 start, a feat achieved only one other time in program history. The game, a rematch of last season’s Alamo Bowl, proved far more challenging than the previous meeting, showcasing a dramatic battle in their Big 12 conference opener.

Game Recap: Overcoming Early Adversity

The match started perfectly for the home team. Colorado stormed out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on their first two drives. Kaidon Salter, Colorado’s dual-threat quarterback, scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive. After a BYU turnover on downs, the Buffaloes quickly powered into the end zone again, leaving the Cougars in an early hole.

BYU settled for a Will Ferrin field goal late in the first quarter to get on the board. The Cougars’ defense, which had looked uncharacteristically vulnerable early, then began to stiffen. They limited Colorado to just 50 yards in the second quarter and kept them off the scoreboard. Just before halftime, BYU freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier connected with star receiver Chase Roberts for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-10 at the break.

The Cougars carried that momentum into the second half. Bachmeier found Roberts again in the third quarter, this time on a fourth-down play, giving BYU its first lead of the night at 17-14. Colorado responded with a touchdown pass from Salter to reclaim the lead at 21-17. However, the fourth quarter belonged to BYU.

Early in the final period, a brilliantly executed “tornado” reverse play saw receiver Cody Hagen sprint 32 yards untouched into the end zone, putting the Cougars back in front 24-21. From there, BYU’s defense sealed the victory. A critical sack by Isaiah Glasker stalled one Colorado drive, and Glasker later sealed the win with a game-clinching interception with just 50 seconds remaining.

Key Game Statistics

*Table Note: Bachmeier’s 98 rushing yards were the second-most for a BYU freshman quarterback in a single game.*

Standout Performers and Key Players

BYU’s Offensive Leaders
The Cougars’ success was fueled by several key players who stepped up in critical moments:

• Bear Bachmeier, QB: The true freshman displayed remarkable poise, completing 19 of 27 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 98 yards, proving to be a dynamic dual-threat. Notably, Bachmeier has now recorded 10 total touchdowns without a single turnover this season.
• Chase Roberts, WR: Roberts was Bachmeier’s primary target in the red zone, catching two short touchdown passes. During the game, he also surpassed the prestigious 2,000-yard mark for career receiving yards, becoming the 15th player in BYU history to do so.
• Cody Hagen, WR: His 32-yard touchdown run on the reverse play in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score.

BYU’s Defensive Stars
The defense made crucial adjustments after a tough first quarter:

• Isaiah Glasker, LB: He was the hero of the night, not only recording a sack but also coming up with the game-sealing interception in the final minute.
• Jack Kelly, LB: A constant disruptive force, Kelly finished with six solo tackles and a sack.

Colorado’s Key Contributors
Despite the loss, several Buffaloes had strong performances:

• Kaidon Salter, QB: Salter showcased his dual-threat abilities, throwing for 119 yards and one touchdown while adding 49 rushing yards and another score on the ground.
• Dre’lon Miller, RB/WR: Miller, who was moved to running back due to team injuries, both rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass.

Crucial Turning Points and Takeaways

Several pivotal moments shifted the game’s momentum and ultimately decided the outcome.

• The Halftime Score: BYU’s touchdown just before halftime was critical. Instead of trailing by two scores, the Cougars went into the locker room down only four points, fueling their belief for the second half.
• Colorado’s Costly Penalties: The Buffaloes were hampered by six penalties for 67 yards . A key holding penalty on Omarion Miller nullified a 45-yard run by Salter in the fourth quarter that would have placed Colorado in BYU territory.
• BYU’s Fourth-Quarter Defense: With the game on the line, BYU’s defense held Colorado’s offense to just 19 total yards in the fourth quarter . The Buffaloes’ final three drives resulted in a total of nine yards and an interception.

For Colorado, the loss raises questions about their ability to close out tight games. As Coach Deion Sanders stated post-game, “Sometimes, it felt like the moment was just too big for some of our athletes, and they’ve got to do something about that.”. The defeat leaves them with a 2-3 overall record and an 0-2 start in the Big 12, severely damaging their conference title hopes.

Conversely, BYU demonstrated the maturity of a ranked team. They faced adversity for the first time this season and responded with character. “Just settling down a little bit and playing football the way we know we can play,” Coach Kalani Sitake said of overcoming the early deficit.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The victory sets BYU up for a significant home matchup against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Friday, October 3. The Cougars will look to protect their undefeated record and national ranking in front of their home crowd.

Colorado, meanwhile, faces another tough challenge as they hit the road to take on the 24th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs. The Buffaloes will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling further in the conference standings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the final score of the BYU vs. Colorado game?
   The final score was 24-21, with the BYU Cougars defeating the Colorado Buffaloes.
2. Who scored the game-winning touchdown for BYU?
   Wide receiver Cody Hagen scored the game-winning touchdown on a 32-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
3. How did BYU’s quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, perform?
   True freshman Bear Bachmeier played exceptionally well, throwing for 179 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 98 yards.
4. What crucial play sealed the victory for BYU?
   Linebacker Isaiah Glasker sealed the victory by intercepting a pass from Colorado’s Kaidon Salter with just 50 seconds left in the game.
5. What does this loss mean for Colorado’s season?
   The loss drops Colorado to 0-2 in Big 12 conference play, making their path to a conference championship game very difficult.

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