No. 9 BYU (8-0) led from start to finish as the Cougars cruised to a 51-17 road victory over No. 21 Boise State.
Coming into Friday’s showdown, BYU had never beaten Boise State on the “Smurf Turf” (0-5), losing several games by one point.
The undefeated Cougars took out years of frustration in the blowout victory and made a bigger case to be included in the College Football Playoff. The team already has a bunch of national writers and college football analysts praising the performance so far this season, including ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.
The BYU offense racked up 573 yards of total offense and had touchdown drives of 96, 95 and 86 yards. After lighting up the scoreboard once again, the Cougar offense has now scored 40+ points seven times in the first eight games — a program record.
Zach Wilson had another outstanding performance as the junior threw completed 21 of 27 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown as well.
Running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including an 86-yard run on the Cougars’ first possession of the game. Lopini Katoa also averaged more than eight yards per carry as the junior running back rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown.
With the win, BYU is off to its best start since 2001, when the Cougars started 12-0. For Boise State, the Broncos suffered its worst loss since a 64-19 rout by Idaho in 1996.
Well… so much for the concerns about playing on a short week. With BYU unable to practice on Sunday (religious beliefs), as well as the NCAA not granting its waiver to be able to practice on Tuesday (Election Day), the Cougars had just two days to practice before Friday’s game. Not only did the team gets its first win on the Smurf Turf, but the 51 points scored were the most against a ranked team in program history.
Here’s a look at how the media, fans and players reacted after the win:
Hold up, pose. ? pic.twitter.com/sNdqLU9Cb3
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 7, 2020
https://t.co/mJNN0hnHwK pic.twitter.com/cLgBBY7CEJ
— micah (@micahsimon_) November 7, 2020
That was for you cougar nation! #GoCougsss ?
— Khyiris Tonga ?? (@khyiristonga) November 7, 2020
Yeah, I don’t wanna hear any excuses. We dominated!! That’s the bottom line. This team is special. Go cougs! ? https://t.co/gD4WVafBbT
— Isaiah Kaufusi (@isaiah_kaufusi) November 7, 2020
If BYU wins by 14+ tonight on the blue turf, I’ll go on a mission trip
— sydney fife (@moneylinechad) November 6, 2020
Said early In the year CFB playoff should expand in a year of uncertainty. Makes even more sense now as season has progressed. @BYUfootball is outstanding and should deserve to be in the conversation for the Top 4.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 7, 2020
we the people demand Coastal Carolina vs. Bama & BYU vs. Clemson.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 7, 2020
1) Don't know if any good teams want to or can add BYU to the schedule.
2) If I'm BYU, I think I just sit on this and take the NY6 spot that's all but guaranteed (if they beat SDSU).
3) Win the NY6 game and claim a national title
— Chris Vannini ? (@ChrisVannini) November 7, 2020
Since Arizona’s gear is in SLC, maybe BYU wants to play the Wildcats tomorrow when they get home? Starters should be rested in the 4th…
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 7, 2020
Is this when I am allowed to bring this back? #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/YIQ3o5Uuxp
— Dylan Collie (@23Collie) November 7, 2020
If you didn't know, now you know. @BYUfootball QB @zachkapono is the real deal ?? pic.twitter.com/D6odjHvqLW
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 7, 2020
What’s the excuse now? ??? https://t.co/jPEgSqzLCe
— Chris Wilcox (@SuperCFlash) November 7, 2020
WE REALLY LIKE THAT ‼️
— Troy Warner ® (@TroWarner) November 7, 2020
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?!? That’s real American domination. #BlueGrit pic.twitter.com/cgKrpsHSKT
— Eric Mateos (@CoachMateos) November 7, 2020
AHHHHHHHHH!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! This team IS special!! #GoCougs ??
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) November 7, 2020
Words can’t express how thankful I am for the young men on this team!! We’ve got a lot to improve on but I’ll enjoy this W on the smurf turf anyday!!! ??????? #GoCougs #BuiltNotBorn #BoB pic.twitter.com/RSntUp7Xsc
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) November 7, 2020
Legit I do not see what BYU is missing. Whine about their schedule if you want. They have an NFL QB, multiple NFL linemen, multiple NFL receivers, even an obvious NFL kicker. If you watch them play, you get it
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 7, 2020
I have nothing against the Utes, nor the Utah fans.
But man, I can’t help myself when it comes to saying Zach Wilson is the best QB in college football.
And that he’d smash the Utes this year, the year of our Lord Sitake, 2020 ??
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 7, 2020
Zach Wilson. I’m in.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) November 7, 2020
Welcome to the first-round conversation, Zach Wilson. #BYUvsBSU
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) November 7, 2020
We want BYU
— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) September 8, 2020
Wrote this week about the teams in the mix for the fourth playoff spot, including the winner of BYU-Boise. We know who that will be now: https://t.co/JB0UYoTVW3
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 7, 2020
Full list of 8-0 FBS teams: pic.twitter.com/DrL2A0LyR9
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 7, 2020
Going to be fascinating how BYU is treated in the polls over the next month. BYU has two games left and doesn’t play an FBS opponent (San Diego State) until Dec. 12.
Where will BYU be ranked when that game happens?
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) November 7, 2020
BYU is legit. Complete team with a first-rate QB.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) November 7, 2020
How much should we read into 9th ranked #BYU dismantling #21 Boise State? Feeling that more respect is deserved. #BYUvsBSU
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) November 7, 2020
Zach Wilson is ELITE!!!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) November 7, 2020
BSU's DC yelling in the headset of head coach Harsin. pic.twitter.com/nef0D60p2B
— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) November 7, 2020
BSU is sick and tired of trying to block BYU DT Khyiris Tonga. The interior Oline for BSU is watching the clock.
He's whooped their arses all over the field.
It's been a great game for the big man.— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) November 7, 2020
Many Boise State fans are bringing up the fact that they’re on their fourth-string QB.
Yes, it might be a closer game if they had their starter, but I don’t think it matters who’s playing QB when their defense is getting torched like this.
— tanner mangum (@tannermangum) November 7, 2020
From someone who played with (and yes — was benched for) Zach, I can say he is really, really good. He makes difficult things look easy and plays with a swagger and confidence that you don’t see often.
— tanner mangum (@tannermangum) November 7, 2020
I Left for the same reason! Dude is a baller! https://t.co/K9ar8NWxN5
— Kody Wilstead (@Wilstead13) November 7, 2020
When I grow up I want to be @zachkapono
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) November 7, 2020
Zach Wilson has entered @jimmerfredette territory pic.twitter.com/FSira2iX3Y
— Carson Crosby (@carson_crosby) November 7, 2020
It's a ranked v. ranked matchup but at some point BYU is just beating a dead Horse. pic.twitter.com/D1UaMgEkbz
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 7, 2020
If #BYUvsBSU was a title fight in Las Vegas the referee would stop it. #GoCougs
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannKSL) November 7, 2020
BYU scoring points faster than Nevada counts votes.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) November 7, 2020
Time to hit the sack. Gotta get up early to hear all the love Herbie is gonna give the Cougs on GameDay
— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) November 7, 2020
disappointing that BYU and Boise has turned out to be a dud. Very 2020.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 7, 2020
BYU now has 4 byes in the next 6 weeks…
If a Pac-12 team is sitting idle due to an opponent cancelation — MAKE IT HAPPEN
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 7, 2020
BYU OC Jeff Grimes absolutely should be a Broyles Award candidate. Absolute wizardry this season with Zach Wilson and tonight against Boise.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 7, 2020
Quite a statement by BYU. I'd love to see them have a shot. Zach Wilson and an athletic defense would give them a chance. But the schedule … Don't blame Tom Holmoe who deserves AD of the year for putting it together amid a pandemic.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 7, 2020
If any of Cincinnati's remaining opponents has to cancel, it should call BYU immediately.
Both teams could really use that game. https://t.co/qvtQglBt0Q
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 7, 2020
An absolutely dominant BYU performance in its biggest game of the year.
About to move to 8-0, but only two games left (North Alabama & SDSU)
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 7, 2020
Zero. Played the hand they were dealt and put up top 10 efficiency metrics. Couldnt do any more with what was given.
— Dave Bartoo (@CFBMatrix) November 7, 2020
I’m telling ya. 5 for BYU is my dude. He shows up every damn week
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 7, 2020
Heck of a drive for Wilson. https://t.co/qRxEHdkr1G
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 7, 2020
Trailing 16-3, Boise State is facing its largest halftime deficit since the MPC Computers Bowl in 2005 when the Broncos trailed Boston College 24-0 at halftime.
— Ron Counts (@Ron_BroncoBeat) November 7, 2020
Zach out here like: pic.twitter.com/GrNumCbqPB
— Norma Gonzalez (@sltribbyu) November 7, 2020
Payback for not letting families come https://t.co/bTdFmBqN1F
— Kesni Tausinga (@kesni94) November 7, 2020
BYU's had the following scoring streaks this year:
49-0 vs Texas State
48-0 vs Navy
38-0 vs Boise St (and counting?)
38-0 vs LA Tech
29-0 vs Houston
28-0 vs W Kentucky
27-0 vs Troy— CougarStats (@CougarStats) November 7, 2020
He's actually fourth string.
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) November 7, 2020
I love that the Boise St beat writer is here arguing that having the 2nd string QB in this game makes up a 38-3 difference ??
— Brian Ipson (@BrianIpson) November 7, 2020
And about a backup RB? Sione Finau was 4th string last year. In a win.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) November 7, 2020
Love watching this @BYUfootball team. Every week with a little bit more swagger, confidence and their play shows. This is real.
— Brady Poppinga (@BradyPoppinga) November 7, 2020
Hard to believe it’s the same BYU program that went 4-9 in 2017. I get that the schedule is what it is but Kalani Sitake has done a great job rebuilding the program and there’s no question he deserves more credit than he’s getting for turning things around. #BYUFOOTBALL
— Tyson Whiting (@TysonOnSports) November 7, 2020
#31 blocking a punt on the smurf turf. @maxtooley23 AVENGED ME in the best way possible. pic.twitter.com/17iQhZylaH
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 7, 2020
Final: 51-17 pic.twitter.com/rHFQWjJOuv
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) November 7, 2020
