BYU fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the Cougars (5-4) held on for a 31-24 victory over Liberty (6-4) Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Despite going up by two touchdowns in the second half on two different occasions, Liberty wouldn’t go away as the Flames answered right back with scores to make it a one possession game.
After stopping the Cougars on a fake field goal on 4th-and-two with under two minutes to go, the Flames couldn’t convert on 4th-and-21 as Antonio Gandy-Golden dropped the ball with 30 seconds left in the game in BYU territory.
Making his second career start, BYU quarterback Baylor Romney completed 23-of-33 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to victory. With the win, the Cougars recorded its first three-game winning streak since winning six in a row during the 2016-17 season.
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Freshman running back Sione Finau rushed for 69 yards on 10 carries and Lopini Katoa added 49 yards on the ground as the Cougars racked up 165 yards rushing for an average of 4.6 yards per carry.
Despite racking up 471 yards of total offense, penalties and turnovers killed a number of drives for BYU — which kept Liberty in the game. It didn’t help that BYU’s three-man rush gave Liberty quarterback Stephen Calvert all the time in the world to throw as the senior completed 27-of-45 passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Calvert’s performance was arguably the best of the season against BYU — which has gone up against some of the top quarterback’s in the country.
BYU’s bend-but-don’t break defense had another dismal showing as the team gave up 431 yards of total offense and did not force any turnovers. The Cougars have now given up more than 950 yards of total offense in back-to-back weeks.
BYU opposing QB stats…
Tyler Huntley: 106 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INT
Jarret Guarantano: 176 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Kedon Slovis: 281 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT
Jacob Eason: 290 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Buckshot Calvert: 293 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTBYU 31 | Liberty 24#BYU #BYUFOOTBALL #ESPN960
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) November 10, 2019
Baylor Romney is now 2-0 as BYU’s starting QB.
Tonight, Romney set season/career highs in: attempts, completions, completion percentage, TD passes, rushing yardage, total offense.
Pass efficiency rating in his two starts: 154.5 (Boise State), 160.3 (Liberty).
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) November 10, 2019
The game should hopefully serve as a wake up call for the Cougars as they are still looking at becoming bowl eligible at 5-4. BYU came in as a 17-point favorite against the Flames, but didn’t look like it for much of the game.
Known for several trick plays in each game, BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes did not disappoint as the Cougars got several big plays, including a 44-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Micah Simon to tight end Matt Bushman.
With his pass last week against Utah State, Simon joked in his post game comments that “he might be the starting quarterback next week” with his passer rating at 504.4. The 6-foot-1 senior also added seven catches for 91 yards and a score in the win.
Here’s how fans, players and coaches reacted after the game:
BYU’s trick plays this season have been ???
Micah Simon’s (@micahsimon_) QB rating is 504.4 this season (2-2, 57 yards, 1 TD). #BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs #BYU @byuROC @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/cbXF8Wc40z
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) November 10, 2019
Alabama loses.
Vols win.
Cougs win.What a day!!! #GoVols #GoCougs
— I’m A Vol Coug Aight ? (@Im_A_Vol_Aight) November 10, 2019
Brigham wins! 3 in a row time to take it up another notch?
— micah (@micahsimon_) November 10, 2019
Yesssssiirrr!! @micahsimon_
— Fred Warner (@fred_warner) November 10, 2019
Hey…. #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/MOdZiu6xZ2
— Ben Parker (@Parker12Ben) November 10, 2019
#byufootball pic.twitter.com/o244bMU1hY
— br'Y'an (@49erCoug) November 10, 2019
The playoff committee isn't going to like having a close game against Liberty, but a win is a win.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball #LIBvsBYU
— ?They So Moo-Moo? (@JalenooperDogg) November 10, 2019
Okay Grimey, let's save something for Idaho State. ?
— Ryan Hancock (@rhancoug17) November 10, 2019
That was a terrible win, feels almost as bad as the loses to Toledo and USF #BYUFOOTBALL
— Brandon Robbins (@SirBRobb) November 10, 2019
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Nervous energy here at Lavell Edwards Stadium as the Flames make it a one possession game… I don't think many BYU fans expected this game to come down to the final minutes.
BYU 31 | Liberty 24#BYU #BYUFOOTBALL #GOCOUGS #ESPN960
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) November 10, 2019
It's ridiculous that this game is as close as it is. #BYUFootball
— Dave Harris (@heresy64) November 10, 2019
4th down… no problem!
BYU’s Aleva Hifo (@AHifo7) with the 41-yard TD catch to give BYU a 24-10 lead.#BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs #BYU @byuROC @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/EIjEd2ByYn
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) November 10, 2019
Watching our secondary try to defend #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/zFNIXCVWxI
— Jason Thomsen (@JTizzyTizzle) November 10, 2019
You can count on that BYU D to keep the game close #BYUFOOTBALL
— Anthony Merrill (@LastBYUJedi) November 10, 2019
It’s ridiculous how we can’t get to the QB. Ever! All the time in the world to throw and make a play. #BYUFOOTBALL
— ?????? (@HectoriousPerez) November 10, 2019
Wins can be pretty and wins can be a bit ugly. But a win is a win and we will take it!!! Much respect to a very good Liberty team. I Love this team! #GoCougs ??
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) November 10, 2019
A win is a win. All the respect to Liberty.
— Preston A Hadley (@CoachPHadley) November 10, 2019
Football ??
— Eric Mateos (@CoachMateos) November 10, 2019
BYU is quantum football, simultaneously all things and nothing pic.twitter.com/XgYycxI7ZV
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 10, 2019
Not a great win in regards style points, but…
A win is a win is a win..
Holy Toledo! That was a Flaming Bull Pucky of a performance tonight.. #BYU #Liberty #GoCougs #BYUFootball
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) November 10, 2019
Heck of an effort tonight for @LibertyFootball! Thanks to the hospitality from @BYUfootball and @BYUCougars staff! See you again in Lynchburg in 2022! pic.twitter.com/cNX7Xa1SFW
— Alan York ????? (@LUFlamesVoice) November 10, 2019
BYU has now won 15 straight games when scoring 30+ pts.
BYU has now won 10 straight games when scoring in every qtr (7-10-7-7 tonight).
BYU has won 15 straight games with the advantage in average starting field position margin (+9 yards tonight).
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) November 10, 2019
Good to see MLP get a TD catch after all he's been through with injuries past few seasons; Cougars get a much-needed score in the fourth quarter, which has been a problem this year.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) November 10, 2019
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