Playing its final tune-up game before taking on Boise State in a Top 25 showdown next week, No. 11 BYU made quick work of Western Kentucky with a 41-10 victory Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson had a great game going in the first half, but a shaky second half performance left his numbers lower than what the quarterback is used to putting up. Wilson finished the game with a rating of 139.7, his lowest of the season. He came in with a quarterback rating of 211.2 through the first six games this year.
BYU defeats Western Kentucky 41-10 to remain unbeaten ? pic.twitter.com/DVcrWI0wQE
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 1, 2020
Still, the dual-threat quarterback threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns in just three quarters of play. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior also added 35 yards rushing to go with a touchdown on the ground. Wilson also set a record for most passing attempts without an interception (184), however, as soon as he broke the record, he threw an interception a couple plays later. It was his first interception since throwing a pick in the first game of the season against Navy.
Once again, the Cougar offense put up a lot of points as the Cougars racked up 40 points for the sixth time this season. It’s the first time in program history that BYU has done so through the first seven games of a season.
With the win, the Cougars are 7-0 for just the fourth time in program history. The last three times BYU started 7-0 was back in 1979, 1984 and 2001. The teams finished 11-1, 13-0 and 12-2 on the season.
Here’s a look at how the media, fans and players reacted after the win:
First Half Reactions
The Playoff door just opened a bit more for an Undefeated Pac-12 Champion and/or BYU
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 1, 2020
Zach Wilson – surgical precision pic.twitter.com/hn2bXSBrc2
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 1, 2020
Another milestone for @zachkapono in 2020 pic.twitter.com/Jh7GmwW177
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 1, 2020
#BYU offense a perfect 5/5 in the first half.#WKUvsBYU #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/JfZ7beqjEN
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 1, 2020
Ghosted. #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/KqrHBrbWYE
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannKSL) November 1, 2020
What a ball by Zach Wilson #BYU pic.twitter.com/O8cm6euf6Y
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) November 1, 2020
More fun next week: #MACtion returns midweek and then the #Pac12 joins the action. Until then, go watch #BYU and Zach Wilson score every time they touch the ball.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 1, 2020
Zach Wilson this year is everything we wanted Jordan Love to be last year
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) November 1, 2020
He's really something else. Zach Wilson is the QB all needy NFL teams that can't get Lawrence or Fields are developing a crush on. I mean, that throw…. https://t.co/Latcee2Ai5 https://t.co/gpnFrC5hfm
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 1, 2020
In a year where there isn't a clear cut fourth best team, the Big 12 stinks and the Pac-12 plays like three games, I hope we give a real shot to Cincinnati or BYU at the playoff if either goes undefeated. Don't think it will happen, but man would it be nice.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 1, 2020
Right now, the list of teams I would pick to beat BYU head to head on a neutral field is:
Bama
Ohio State
Clemson
Georgia
Notre DameAnd that might be it. Oklahoma, Florida, and Cincinnati would be in the "maybe" camp
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 1, 2020
I don’t care what people say about BYU playing an “easy schedule”, because “good teams” get beat by “bad teams” all the time or the “good team” only wins narrowly. But BYU has showed up every week. And dominated every opponent. They deserve all the praise they’re getting.
— Tejan Koroma (@tejankoroma56) November 1, 2020
Us: please be easy with us
BYU: pic.twitter.com/m7pbNeRvU4
— Barstool Western (@BarstoolWestern) November 1, 2020
Elmo's really packed on some pounds. pic.twitter.com/1viqeZvKUj
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) November 1, 2020
Solid but not great win for #BYUFOOTBALL. Awesome first half but really took the foot off the gas in the second half. Props to WKU for long drives that kept the ball out of Wilson’s hands. Good enough to get into the top 10. Let’s get Boise next week!!
— Matthew Roberts (@mcroberts91) November 1, 2020
Second Half Reactions
I was fortunate to catch this priceless scene between @isaiah_kaufusi and @kgee42 giving this player from Western Kentucky a Book of Mormon after the game and sharing their testimonies of the gospel.
I love our boys, they’re great examples to the world.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/lp7h2Bw1CR— Jack Damuni (@JackDamuni) November 1, 2020
My top 4 after WEEK 9
1-@AlabamaFTBL
2-@OhioStateFB
3-@ClemsonFB
4-@GeorgiaFootball
Next 2@NDFootball @BYUfootball— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 1, 2020
My CFB Top 10 (10/31)
1) @AlabamaFTBL @OhioStateFB @ClemsonFB
.
.
4) @NDFootball
5) @AggieFootball
6) @GeorgiaFootball
7) @BYUfootball
8) @GoBearcatsFB
9) @GatorsFB
10) @BadgerFootballAlmost: @CanesFootball @OU_Football @HerdFB @CowboyFB @IndianaFootball
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 1, 2020
I mean if we're just going to toss out a sacrificial lamb for the 1 seed, like last year, make it BYU, who might have the third-best QB in the country, or Cincinnati, who might win a conference that's about as good as the Big 12 and non-Clemson ACC.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 1, 2020
Here's where the list of undefeated teams in 2020 stands after Week 9:
• 7-0: Clemson, BYU
• 6-0: Bama, ND, Coastal Carolina, Liberty
• 5-0: Cincinnati, Marshall
• 2-0: OSU, Indiana, Boise, Purdue, Northwestern, SDSU, Nevada, SJSU
• 1-0: Wisconsin
• 0-0: MAC, Pac-12, NMSU— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 1, 2020
Nationally-ranked BYU (7-0) at nationally-ranked Boise State (2-0) is the most important football game for BYU since the 1984 Holiday Bowl.
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) November 1, 2020
Wilson already has as many incompletions in the first half (11) as he had in the first 3 games combined.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) November 1, 2020
If by chance anyone turned on this game in the second half, no way you believe Byu is a top 15 team.
Really surprised the Cougs didn't look sharp when they needed the style points.#BYUFOOTBALL
— BDay311 (@bday311) November 1, 2020
The offense failing to score in the second half is not style points. ??♂️
A win is a win but that was so sloppy and painful to watch. But congratulations on win 7! #BYUFootball #WKUvsBYU— Maximus (@BYUMaximus) November 1, 2020
I think Wilson needs one of those marathon trips back down to see Beck #BYUFOOTBALL
— Michael Smith (@mikesgoY) November 1, 2020
Only six points (two FGs) in the entire second half for BYU Football. No touchdowns. To me, that’s a little concerning going into a hype Boise State game only six days from now.#BYUFootball #GoCougs
— Daniel Evans (@DanielRyanEvans) November 1, 2020
Not enough style points to keep the Cinderella story and Heisman hype rolling. We needed to crush these guys. The back up center needs snap reps. Injuries could be costly. Can’t give up a score on our first defensive series next week!
— “George Q” Cannon (@GeoQCannon) November 1, 2020
Gotta do more BYU to build a case. Second half looked tired and lazy. #BYUFootball
— John (@haws42) November 1, 2020
No pressure, but the Boise State game next week may be the biggest game for BYU since the 1996 Cotton Bowl.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) November 1, 2020
Sione Finau starting to look like his old self after his ACL reconstruction about a year ago. pic.twitter.com/gPPRDJocXj
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) November 1, 2020
Sione Finau is BYU's third-string RB. There's a lot of talent in that position group.#BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsWKU
— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) November 1, 2020
If BYU plays and they don’t punt, did BYU actually play? pic.twitter.com/cjHw8pDPh2
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 1, 2020
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 1, 2020
BYU is a 30.5 favorite. The Cougars lead by 28 with 12:36 to go.
The O/U is 52.5. The total is 48 at the moment.
Compelling and rich fourth quarter commentary.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) November 1, 2020
Wow! BYU kicking it! For the cover! What a gambling moment!!!!!
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) November 1, 2020
OOooOOoo tell em quit tip toein‼️ @TroWarner https://t.co/ZpcBsxOTjX
— Fred Warner (@fred_warner) November 1, 2020
Halloween dance party got pretty hype with @BYUCougarettes ?? pic.twitter.com/rZbhsrn4Za
— Cosmo Cougar (@byu_cosmo) November 1, 2020
You know I love a good dance off ? @WKUBigRed pic.twitter.com/89Q3IRCe6B
— Cosmo Cougar (@byu_cosmo) November 1, 2020
Did we just become best friends @byu_cosmo? Yes we did. #GoTops pic.twitter.com/rqHeYOso22
— Big Red (@WKUBigRed) November 1, 2020
Western Kentucky Targeting
I've never seen an offense frustrate another team as bad as I've seen #BYU's offense frustrate Western Kentucky. Five personal fouls and constant frustration play around and away from the ball is very visible.
— Total Blue Sports (@TotalBlueSports) November 1, 2020
OH IMA FIGHT EVERYBODY AT WKU
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 1, 2020
When getting handled, they consider it necessary. https://t.co/39G7v2r5SL
— Tony Parks (@tonyparks801) November 1, 2020
What’s with all the targeting from Western Kentucky against BYU? Geeeeesh
— Sarah (@Jazzbug20) November 1, 2020
Western Kentucky has targeting ejections than touchdowns tonight
— Propaganda Due Ex Machina??? (@screenclutter) November 1, 2020
Two targeting calls and a blatant FaceMask. Eight penalties with a lot of time to go. Western Kentucky is not a well-disciplined team. #GoCougs
— Todd Weiler (@gopTODD) November 1, 2020
This is absolutely WKU pic.twitter.com/eR3BbUsfoJ
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 1, 2020
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