BYU Triumphs Over Baylor: Top Performers and Key Highlights from the Big 12 Victory

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29/09/2024 19h56

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In an exciting match on Saturday, 22nd-ranked BYU secured its first road victory in the Big 12, defeating Baylor with a score of 34-28. This win has made BYU the only team with a perfect 5-0 record in the Big 12.

Leading BYU’s charge was quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who once again showcased his dominance. Retzlaff was instrumental in driving BYU’s offense, leading the team to four touchdowns in its first four possessions. He finished the game with two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, achieving an impressive passing grade of 87.3. Retzlaff was BYU's top performer for the third time in five games, marking a significant contribution with notable throws and minimal errors.

On the defensive end, Tyler Batty proved to be a key player. The senior defensive end from Payson recorded his first sack of the season and led the team with six total pressures. Batty’s performance was well-rounded, earning him the best grades in both pass-rushing and run defense.

Wide receiver Darius Lassiter also made a significant impact, setting a career-high with 120 receiving yards on eight receptions. Despite a couple of drops, Lassiter’s chemistry with Retzlaff seemed to have hit its stride, contributing crucial yards for BYU’s offense.

Brayden Keim, BYU’s right tackle, stood out among the offensive linemen with balanced and effective play in both run and pass blocking. Keim kept the pressure off Retzlaff, allowing no quarterback pressures throughout the game.

In the face of injuries to key interior linemen, Austin Leausa stepped up with the highest pass-blocking grade, proving to be a reliable asset in relieving the pressure.

Linebacker Aisea Moa, who also saw additional playtime due to injuries, put forth a solid performance with a key defensive stop and strong grades in run defense and tackling.

Jakob Robinson, BYU’s defensive back, was tested extensively but held his own, allowing only three receptions on six targets and contributing effectively in blitz packages.

Tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase was pivotal in the run game, excelling as BYU’s highest-graded run blocker with an outstanding blocking ratio on his snaps played.

Safety Crew Wakley delivered a game-changing performance with a sack, a tackle for loss, and the game-sealing interception, proving to be the difference in closing out the game.

Lastly, defensive tackle John Taumoepeau made his mark despite limited playtime, contributing a crucial quarterback pressure that led to an intentional grounding penalty against Baylor.

These standout performances underscore BYU’s balanced team effort and resilient play, marking a significant milestone in their Big 12 journey.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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