Boise State quarterback Cade Fennegan (8) looks for a receiver as the BYU defense closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Boise, Idaho • Revenge is best served cold. While the upcoming cold front isn’t expected to make its way into Idaho and Utah until Saturday into Sunday, No. 9 BYU iced out No. 21 Boise State 51-17 at Albertsons Stadium on Friday.
And BYU quarterback Zach Wilson got redemption.
Most importantly, the Cougars made a statement. It was the first time in program history BYU dropped 50-plus points on a ranked opponent.
“People still doubted us, and I don’t blame them for that," Wilson said. “It’s hard to tell with how our season has been switched up, but really each week is another opportunity to keep proving ourselves. Tonight was a big one for us. These guys don’t like to lose at home, and to come out with a win like that was huge. So, I think that statement continues. It means nothing unless we keep winning.”
Storylines
• No. 9 BYU dominates No. 21 Boise State 51-17 to improve to 8-0 for just the fourth time.
• Zach Wilson throws for 359 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing.
• Tyler Allgeier leads the rushing attack with 123 yards and two touchdowns; Gunner Romney leads the receivers with 133 yards.
Two years ago, Wilson got sacked on the final play of the game against Boise State and BYU’s comeback fell short as the Cougars lost to the Broncos 21-16. Last season, out with a fractured right (throwing) thumb, Wilson was unable to face Boise State himself. Instead, BYU’s then-third-string quarterback, Baylor Romney, led the Cougars to a 28-25 upset over then-No. 14 Boise State.
This time around, the Broncos found themselves heavily relying on their own third-string quarterback.
Boise State season starter Hank Bachmeier was still out going into Friday’s game, so Jack Sears got the start. On the Broncos' second drive of the game, Sears left the game after a hard tackle and in came third-stringer Cade Fennegan.
Boise State made yet another change, putting in fourth-string quarterback Andy Peters midway through the third quarter, but Fennegan went back in after two offensive drives.
Fennegan seemed to finally settle in to his role in the fourth quarter, as the true freshman threw a 52-yard touchdown pass. The Broncos then went with an onside kick — and it paid off.
After recovering possession, Boise State scored its second touchdown of the night 10 seconds after the first.
But BYU quickly responded by scoring its seventh touchdown of the night three plays later.
“We knew they had a great quarterback and just a great offense, and we couldn’t get down on ourselves if they were going to make plays,” defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga said. “And play after play, we just made sure that we just continued to come out and try to stop him. We were able to do that.”
Friday night’s matchup had high expectations. And the Cougars delivered.
Not only did Friday’s win improve BYU to a 8-0 start for just the fourth time in program history, it was the first win against a ranked opponent this season and the first win at Albertsons Stadium.
The rivalry between BYU and Boise State may be young, but it’s become one of the Cougars' biggest rivalry games. And Boise State leads the series 7-4. With BYU claiming the last two consecutive games, the Cougars may be changing the tides.
“It’s hard to say,” Wilson said. “They’re a great team and every year they’ve got a new team and we’ve got a new team. ... It’s great to come out with a win two years in a row, but we even had a different team last year — different guys playing last year. Really, we’re just focusing on right now and it was a great win for us right now because that’s a great football team.”
Follow @normacatalina12