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BYU quarterback Jaren Hall consoles kicker after missed field goals vs. Baylor

The junior missed a pair of field goals to win the game at the end of regulation and in overtime.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) celebrates a touchdown, after catching a touchdown pass, in football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Baylor Bears at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

As thousands of overjoyed BYU fans stormed the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall found one person in particular.

Kicker Jake Oldroyd.

“I don’t know if I can do it justice to say what his leadership means,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of the moment.

Oldroyd had missed not one, but two game-winning field goal attempts.

The junior has been a Lou Groza Award Finalist for the nation’s top placekicker. He went 9-for-13 a season ago, made 42 of 43 extra points, and set a school record for consecutive field goals (16 between the start of the 2020 season and his first miss of 2021).

But on Saturday night Oldroyd missed a 35-yarder near the end of regulation and a straightaway 37-yarder in the first overtime.

Those misses might have cost the Cougars a chance to beat the No. 9 Baylor Bears if not for Hall, who rallied his team and threw a key completion in the second OT that would set up the game-winning touchdown.

After the Cougars had successfully defended their lead and completed the upset victory, Hall made sure to find his kicker on the sideline. The two men embraced and Hall spoke to an emotional Oldroyd.