Playing in primetime with Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit on the call, BYU put on a show as the Cougars went on the road and crushed Navy, 55-3, in the season opener for both teams.
It was the worst loss ever at Navy for head coach Ken Niumatalolo. In fact, BYU had seven touchdowns in the game, while Navy finished with just seven first downs. It was complete domination by the Cougars who came out fired up and ready to show the nation just how good and deep the team is this year.
Despite playing a little more than half of the game, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson still managed to throw for 232 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 dual threat quarterback didn’t have to do much as he got plenty of help from running backs Tyler Allgeier and Lopini Katoa. Allgeier finished the night with a season high in carries (14), yards (132) and touchdowns (2). Katoa added 10 carries for 80 yards and also ran for two touchdowns.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, Scott Van Pelt Praise BYU In Win Over Navy
BYU gave Navy a taste of its own medicine as the Cougars racked up 580 total yards, including 301 on the ground. Last year, Navy led the nation in rushing offense at 360 yards per game and finished the year with a school-record 4,687 rushing yards. But the stifling Cougar defense made sure to not let that happen as the Midshipmen finished with just 149 total yards and 119 rushing yards.
The victory was icing on the cake for Cougar fans as Niumatalolo turned down an offer to become the head coach at BYU after Bronco Mendenhall left for Viginia.
Here’s how the media, fans, coaches and players reacted after the win:
BYU's running backs right now: pic.twitter.com/QUfD8iVJYJ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 8, 2020
Whelp @BYUfootball is REALLY good!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 8, 2020
BYU (@BYUfootball) is giving Navy a taste of its own medicine. Cougars on track to rush for more than 400 yards tonight. #BYUFootball #GoCougs #NavyFB @byuROC pic.twitter.com/NJdVeyIEhr
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) September 8, 2020
Feels great to be back ?
— Khyiris Tonga ?? (@khyiristonga) September 8, 2020
The win didn’t feel the same without cougar nation in the crowd, but extremely grateful to be able to play this year! #GoCougs ?? https://t.co/TMBsmQfqRU
— Lorenzo Fauatea (@ZFauatea) September 8, 2020
My ball security was suspect…Good thing the backs do as I say and not as I did ??♂️ ? proud of these guys and all glory goes to the Hogs up front!!! ?? ?? https://t.co/OEO1eTGIxi
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) September 8, 2020
What a GREAT victory! An honor to share the field with an amazing group of men in the Naval Academy. Congrats to our boys who’ve worked so hard to have a season! So blessed to be able to play! Go Cougs! ??
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) September 8, 2020
That BYU defense tho!!! ? #Tuff??
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) September 8, 2020
The stands have emptied completely at Navy.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) September 8, 2020
Just outclassed in the first half. BYU played great, we didn’t. But man, I do love BYU fans. Polite and can talk some great trash talk. But really nice to talk to. Better than the domers
— Blue and Gold Report (@bluengoldreport) September 8, 2020
BYU deserves so much credit for fighting to play a season.
Building a new schedule, practicing not knowing if they'll play, following protocol, preparing for anything and now kicking of on prime time ESPN.
I've never been more proud of my former University. Great work boys!— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) September 7, 2020
Now it makes sense why Bama bailed.
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) September 8, 2020
"I don't think anyone is going to want to schedule them after tonight … this is a good football team." — @KirkHerbstreit on BYU
— Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) September 8, 2020
We want BYU
— Barstool Clemson (@BarstoolClemson) September 8, 2020
This #BYU team was originally set to face Michigan State, Arizona State, Missouri, Stanford, Boise State and San Diego State. All games wiped out. Cougars still get Army and Houston, but would have been fun to see them against the Power 5.https://t.co/pxOhKrbB9w
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 8, 2020
BYU has as many red zone possessions as Navy does first downs.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 8, 2020
I just flipped over to see the halftime BYU/Navy score and HOOOOOOOOO BOY
— Adam Amin (@adamamin) September 8, 2020
If the College Football Playoff started today…
1. BYU
2. Army
3. Marshall
4. Memphis— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 8, 2020
For me at least, this is the first night that feels like it’s really college football season. Labor Day night is a tradition at this point, and this is a great matchup of history-rich programs.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 7, 2020
Navy's entire defense must have been in quarantine all of preseason camp.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 8, 2020
BYU was originally going to play Utah, Michigan State, ASU, Minnesota, Missouri, Boise State and Stanford this year.
As it is now, best remaining opponent is either Army or Houston.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 8, 2020
Just tuned in to see @BYUfootball up 48-3 over Navy at the start of the 4th quarter. Not sure what’s more impressive, scoring 48 points in a season-opener or allowing 3 points against Navy’s triple-option offense.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 8, 2020
BYU’s offense = ???#BYUFootball #GoCougs #NavyFB #BYUvsNAVY pic.twitter.com/649RWhqtq7
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) September 8, 2020
Navy run game BYU run game pic.twitter.com/ZkME4m85Rs
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) September 8, 2020
This game is me playing NCAA on Freshman mode as a kid
— Dave Huckvale (@DaveHuck) September 8, 2020
… all you people that gave me hell for my decision to cheer for the #Cougs this season are fools. Stop taking the rivalry so seriously. https://t.co/38V7VXdAw2
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) September 8, 2020
The College Football Empires Map is back for 2020, and looks just a little different this fall: pic.twitter.com/SRf9egjCHc
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 8, 2020
CFB 150th Anniversary: Former BYU Star Ziggy Ansah Named One Of The Greatest Walk-Ons Ever
So many emotions right now. I am so pumped for this @BYUfootball team to dominate! And sad that @Bushman1Matt is here with us recovering from Achilles surgery. The biggest emotion I feel is gratitude. God. Family. Country. Football. ??? pic.twitter.com/Er3iK9UrPk
— Chad Lewis (@Chadlewis89) September 8, 2020
That BYU O-LINE is BIG and STRONG! Have to give credit to the strength staff, Coach Nu’u, Coach Justin, and Coach AJ for getting those guys ready! ????
— Tejan Koroma (@tejankoroma56) September 8, 2020
If they stay in, Psycho T goes 200+ Rushing and Pini goes 200+ All purpose https://t.co/OwxF8mOBi9
— Dylan Collie (@23Collie) September 8, 2020
My brother @unga45 has done a great job preparing these RBs! These guys are playing hard and making plays! Absolute clinic tonight! Much love and respect toko! ??
— AJ Steward (@Coach_Steward) September 8, 2020
BYU leads Navy 48-0 on primetime, while ESPN shows highlights from the 1984 National Championship season.
Life is good.
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) September 8, 2020
Bill Belichick speaking highly about the BYU Cougars during the BYU vs Navy game. pic.twitter.com/ZCrYUkUuEh
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) September 8, 2020
Been doing fantasy draft, but have duly noted that BYU-Navy resembles that Alabama-Notre Dame title game. What a colossal mismatch at the line of scrimmage.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 8, 2020
BYU is gaining eleventy billion yards every time it runs the stretch play.
Oh. Different game. https://t.co/SYZKfAbCDI
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) September 8, 2020
Taking Navy on a mission for real ! https://t.co/PbO12SW7fv
— Will Blackmon ? (@WillBlackmon) September 8, 2020
CFB 150th Anniversary: BYU’s 1984 National Championship Team Recognized
Navy 1st Downs: 4
BYU Touchdowns: 6(? @BYUfootball) pic.twitter.com/KfW9XdDWpJ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 8, 2020
The Big 12 Refs are calling today's game between BYU and Navy. Winner gets a conference invite?
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 8, 2020
BYU’s 250 lb fullback masquerading as a tight end just tried to sky over a tackler, this game is over
— BUM CHILLUPS, NPR CLASS PUNDIT (@edsbs) September 8, 2020
Kalani coaching like he wanted to be the one on "meet the mormons"
— ??TleavittYfan?? (@TLeav4Yfan) September 8, 2020
Hey @NavyFB… pic.twitter.com/IkIbtZxgCK
— Nate Dowdle (@NateDowdle) September 8, 2020
Let me be the first to say, BYU would’ve beat Utah by 28 this year.
— Devin (Sporty) (@SportyMcSports) September 8, 2020
Army watching Navy lose, but then realizing they play BYU next. pic.twitter.com/RM8Qx5hehv
— Tommy ?? (@Irieska) September 8, 2020
What BYU is doing to Navy right is far more disrespectful to our nation’s military than taking a knee during the national anthem. https://t.co/7rly2z1Y2L
— Pablo Escobarner (blue check) (@PabloEscobarner) September 8, 2020
LETS GO COUGARS!!! @BYUfootball
— Isaac Asiata (@AsiataFive4) September 8, 2020
ALL SMILES!! Don’t miss “After Further Review” tomorrow night at 7 East 5 MT on the BYUtv app and https://t.co/ByTjZSzsJv and Saturday morning on BYUtv! Lots to talk about! #BYUvsNAVY #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/cK6lEhwtj2
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannKSL) September 8, 2020
BYU is going to wreck the 52.5 O/U by themselves
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) September 8, 2020
BYU has dominated this game with perfecting the simple & solid
Their lack of focus on the simple things & making losing plays is why they have been 7-11 the last 3 yrs vs G5 conference opps
Being dominant vs their own weight class is their 1st step towards being great again
— Tony Parks (@tonyparks801) September 8, 2020
BYU making the most of the big spotlight. Beast mode. #BYU
— Mikel Minor (@minor_mikel) September 8, 2020
Coach Grimes got that BYU offense rolling! ?
— Breiden Fehoko (@breidenfehoko4) September 8, 2020
2020 Dreams vs 2020 Reality pic.twitter.com/NrKNQ2PUbi
— Ellie (@kelli_BYUFan) September 8, 2020
When you play your younger sibling in Madden pic.twitter.com/L7MZO9g8Tw
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 8, 2020
Once a Coug, always a Coug! I am pumpeddddd to watch some football tonight! Let’s go boys! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/uxKZ1sZ7J3
— Dan Sorensen (@DannySorensen49) September 8, 2020
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BYU-Navy Ratings Down Big On Labor Day; Clay Travis To Get BYU T-Shirt
