BYU just keeps winning.
The 14th ranked Cougars totaled 398 yards of offense and forced four turnovers on defense as BYU cruised to a 41-19 victory over Arizona in front of a sellout crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
It was a game to remember as Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” was in town as well as the No. 1 basketball recruit in the nation (AJ Dybantsa). The Cougars made sure to make the most of it with a dominating win Saturday afternoon.
Jake Retzlaff — who has made national headlines for his faith at BYU — passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 28 yards. The Cougar offense had a number of short fields to work with thanks to a stifling defense which had a pick-6 and probably should have had two more in the game. The defense also missed out on a scoop and score as linebacker Harrison Taggart fell on the ball instead of picking it up. The drive ended with a field goal.
Darius Lassiter was Retzlaff’s favorite target with five catches for 86 yards. Sophomore receiver Parker Kingston caught a touchdown pass and also threw for a score as well on a beautiful trick play in the second quarter.
With the win, the Cougars improved to 6-0 and 3-0 in Big 12 play. BYU is off to its best start since 2020 when the team won nine in a row en route to an 11-1 season.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 275 yards and a touchdown to lead Arizona. However, the sophomore threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. His favorite target was Tetairoa McMillan — no surprise there — as the duo are one of the best combos in all of college football. McMillan couldn’t get going as the sophomore had just 78 yards on five catches for the Wildcats.
After going into halftime with a 14-7 lead, the floodgates opened to start the quarter as Arizona turned the ball over twice in its first three plays. For Cougar fans, it was a reminiscent of the Kansas State game where the Cougars scored four touchdowns in six minutes.
So many BYU legends came out for the game, including Steve Young, Fred Warner and Puka Nacua. All of them made sure to talk to Dybantsa as the Cougars look to land their first-ever No. 1 recruit.
Here’s all the reactions in BYU’s win over Arizona:
Something special is brewing in Provo 🔥@BYUfootball takes down Arizona and improves to 6-0 on the season 💯 pic.twitter.com/qDVkDtMGCo
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 12, 2024
There's nothing more enjoyable than Gus Johnson calling your game. What a blast this week with Big Noon Kickoff.
LES + Gus Johnson = Best combo 🙌#BYU #BYUFootball #GoCougs #Big12FB https://t.co/aIWhE1CvEy
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 13, 2024
Cosmo was doing THE MOST 💥@byu_cosmo x @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/rLEUhi9EBD
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) October 12, 2024
Best fans in the country. @BNKonFOX @NCAAFootball Go Cougs!!! https://t.co/APRHUeNPl2
— Jay Hill (@CoachJayHill) October 13, 2024
Cosmo stealing the show on Big Noon Kickoff
📹 @BNKonFOX pic.twitter.com/u6G8J1Y5es— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 12, 2024
Thank you BYU for hosting. You all did not disappoint. Place was incredible this morning 🤝🔥@BYUfootball
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) October 12, 2024
BYU has the best fans in the world and it’s not even close… pic.twitter.com/44SepHILm3
— Moroni Laulu-Pututau (@moroni_lp) October 13, 2024
Steve Sarkisian has a message for BYU fans. pic.twitter.com/0ZkjxhmO8F
— 🍍Andy Splatz🍍 (@AndySplatz) October 12, 2024
The whole broadcast was awesome this week!
— Rock (@rockmonster1232) October 13, 2024
THIS BYU TRICK PLAY TD 🔥 😮💨
(via @CFBONFOX)
pic.twitter.com/lITKTsYScq— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 12, 2024
BYU is bowl eligible. Statement win. Big Noon Kickoff. #1 Basketball recruit in the nation in attendance. Gus Johnson on the call. 6-0. Our defense is scoring TD’s. ENJOY IT COUGAR FANS!! What a fun season, what a time to be alive
— Brax (@byu_homer) October 12, 2024
BYU fans chanting “we want AJ”
The Cougars are the current favorite to land the No. 1 prospect 👀
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) October 12, 2024
@SteveYoungQB doing what @BYUalumni do!! #BYUFootball #byumbb #goCougs. Come to BYU #AJDybantsa pic.twitter.com/EGy3kkddqU
— Lorin Smith (@Lorin_J_Smith) October 12, 2024
Me, jumping to the conclusion that byu is going to win the national championship pic.twitter.com/1dK2QnJxRq
— Hype Train Podcast (@thehypetrainpod) October 12, 2024
This is a painfully elite tweet
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) October 13, 2024
Happy for our guys! We are not done yet! See you all Friday night! #GoCougs #BeatTheCowboys https://t.co/wxIzc6zesR
— coachkellypoppinga (@Coach_Popp) October 13, 2024
How bout them Cougs?!?! On to the next! #GoCougs 🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) October 12, 2024
🎳🎳🎳 #GOCOUGS
— Raider Damuni 🇫🇯 (@raiderdamuni) October 13, 2024
RISE AND SHOUT 🤙 pic.twitter.com/XIz9SGUYGG
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 13, 2024
— Kingsley Suamataia (@KingSuamataia) October 13, 2024
What an incredible turnaround by Kalani, the staff, and team.
They just quietly went to work all off-season and came back this year ready to play ball.
So fun to watch.
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) October 12, 2024
Coach Edwards’ impact on modern football isn’t talked about enough.
World-class human too.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/4G5xeAXmO4
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) October 12, 2024
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) October 13, 2024
Gus Johnson's open to #BYU-Arizona: "Welcome to where a wise man once said, 'This is the place,' Provo, Utah."#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2024
Whenever you make the team in red do this it’s a great day!!! #GoCougs #BYUFootball #AZvsBYU @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/K1AYgnO98C
— Greg (@gbm4byu) October 12, 2024
6-0. 🎳
This team is SPECIAL!!!! Wow. @BYUfootball #GoCougs 🤙
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) October 12, 2024
This is good.
BYU you were awesome in your hospitality. Thank You! https://t.co/fND3buegDT
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) October 13, 2024
Through 3 games this BYU defense is only giving up an average of 19 points a game! Jay Hill has done wonders in year 2!
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) October 13, 2024
👀👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/5eYjoM1Zfh
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) October 12, 2024