Playing in front of the largest home crowd since 2009, the BYU Cougars (4-1, 1-1) picked up their first Big 12 win with a 35-27 victory over Cincinnati (2-3, 0-2) Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Despite a pick-6 from Jakob Robinson on Cincinnati’s first offensive series, the Cougar offense couldn’t continue the momentum as the Cougars struggled mightily with just 34 yards with less than 30 seconds to go in the first half. Then, all of a sudden, the offense came alive as the Cougars scored three consecutive touchdowns to take control of the game.
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis completed 13-of-24 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Through five games, the senior has thrown 10 touchdown passes, matching his season output at Pitt in 2022. His favorite target Friday night was Chase Roberts who had a career-high 131 yards on six catches. BYU’s offense had four touchdown drives covering five or fewer plays.
BYU running back LJ Martin ran for a team-high 66 yards and two touchdowns as well to lead the Cougars to victory. The freshman sensation now has four rushing touchdowns through his first five games which is the second most behind Luke Staley’s eight touchdowns through five games in 1999.
With tonight’s win over Cincinnati, Kalani Sitake earned his 60th-career victory in his eighth season as BYU head coach. The legendary LaVell Edwards also earned his 60th-career victory in his eight season at BYU (1979).
Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns and added 94 yards on the ground to lead the Bearcats. As expected — as noted in my preview — Cincinnati outgained BYU (498-295), but turnovers and red zone inefficiency cost the Bearcats once again.
Here’s how the media, fans and players reacted after the win:
What a Scene in Provo❕😮 @byufootball ‘s 1st ever Big 12 Game at home
| 📺 ESPN | pic.twitter.com/iiddDStVuy
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 30, 2023
Everyone…pray for a 8:15 kickoff against Oklahoma
— Brigham Newsfeed (@byu_undefeated) September 30, 2023
Oklahoma against Cincinnati:
425 yards -> 20 points
BYU against Cincinnati:
295 yards -> 35 points pic.twitter.com/NSKMxdq0KG
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) September 30, 2023
. @Kedonslovis dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge ☑️@chase_roberts11 out run everybody ☑️
📺 ESPN: https://t.co/JF3bVPdNe2 pic.twitter.com/3O8ndb2yWJ
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 30, 2023
That’s a HUGE win for BYU over a very good Cincinnati team. 4-1 is an incredible start for BYU.
This is a Cincinnati team that will upset a team or 2 in the Big12.— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) September 30, 2023
BYU’s Oline took a step forward tonight. Backside seal blocks and better combo responsibilities.
I saw promise and improvement. Perfect? Heck no… But some resolve. It’s what the doctor ordered.— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) September 30, 2023
4-1 about as well as could be expected for Cougs. Take it and move on to October
— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) September 30, 2023
1st Big12 conference win… on General Conference weekend.
Classic BYU.
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) September 30, 2023
PERFECT FRIDAY
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) September 30, 2023
BIG COUGS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/EtjR6Qhojq
— Noah Lugo (@thenoahlugo) September 30, 2023
Week 4 Bowl Projections: Bowl Destinations For BYU, Utah, USU
BYU is going to be the most annoying team in the Big12. You out-gain them 2-1 and look up and somehow you are down 2 touchdowns. Love this team and they are just getting started
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) September 30, 2023
All part of our plan pic.twitter.com/w1YlTyutoR
— ︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀︀🆉🅾︎🅾︎🅱︎ (@Jazz_Cougars) September 30, 2023
Let’s Go Cougars!!!!!!!
— ByuMomma (@uclagrad90) September 30, 2023
cougars maul the bearcats pic.twitter.com/WN85pp6Kdl
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) September 30, 2023
Go freaking Cougs! 4-1. 🔥
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) September 30, 2023
Like I said for months….
There was no way BYU was losing to Cincinnati at home.
Too much juice for the home BYU Big 12 opener.
Biggest home crowd since 2009.
Cougs get it done.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) September 30, 2023
YES!!! Big win, Cougs! First Big-12 win. Greg and Hans were impeccable on the call and big shoutout to my wife for driving the last leg so I could follow along.
Also the Utes 👀 I’ll just 🤐 https://t.co/HCksQPdxCD
— Zac (@OchoZaco) September 30, 2023
Cincinnati failed to sack Kedon Slovis tonight. BYU’s run game also showed significant improvement.
Big shoutout to the Cougar offensive line. They took a lot of heat last week and came back with a vengeance tonight. Love that response.
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) September 30, 2023
If you had told fans before the season that we’d be 4-1, I think most would’ve happily taken it. Maybe you’d prefer to beat Kansas instead of Arkansas, but it is what it is.
— Ys Guide (@YsGuide) September 30, 2023
the BYU cougars.🪖
it’s not always pretty. it never makes sense. please don’t check the box score.
timely defense & big turnovers turn a cincinnati win into a BYU rout. this team is good in bad ways. pic.twitter.com/eWwtfudp2d
— locked on big 12, live from BYU (@LOBig12) September 30, 2023
It really was weird, still not sure how BYU won. May Cincy win out!
— Jay Olsen (@jayko96) September 30, 2023
In the first 29 minutes, BYU had 38 yards and 0 offensive points. The next 31 minutes, they had 257 yards and 28 points.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) September 30, 2023
I was just thinking that as well. This feels like last week’s game with the reversed role.
— Andrew Streeter (@andrewstreeter_) September 30, 2023
This feels so much like the Arkansas game. Major underperformance but a good job taking advantage of good situations and Cincy continually making massive mistakes.
— Scott Taylor (@Scotty_T_21) September 30, 2023
if you watch nothing else today, please block out 46 seconds for this.
it’s the single most underrated tradition, albeit new, in college football. this is how BYU opens the fourth quarter.
keep in mind, the opposing team is huddled on the field just yards away. pic.twitter.com/O41L3s3x9H
— drake c. toll, weekdays on ESPN central texas (@drakectoll) September 30, 2023
This was the Cincinnati’s mascot’s reaction! pic.twitter.com/1zOHcHQLAZ
— Adrian Porter (@APinSLC) September 30, 2023
If BYU played Utah this year it would be an absolute punt-fest. Let’s put our differences aside and bond over absolutely TERRIBLE offenses 🤝 pic.twitter.com/KwjICtGaIj
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) September 30, 2023
byu offense should just play like they only have 38 seconds every possession pic.twitter.com/C95ebGmeoq
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) September 30, 2023
I met a lot of great people today at the BYU pre-game festivities! It was an amazing experience for all ages. The BYU vibe is one that is very rare! I love the family oriented fun as well as warm and welcoming morale. 🫡🙏🏽#GoCougs#BYU
— Joey Braxton (@JoeyBraxton_) September 30, 2023
Coach & Pops are in the building👊 pic.twitter.com/7S8RTUMus0
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 30, 2023
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Week 4 Bowl Projections: Bowl Destinations For BYU, Utah, USU
