BYU's Defensive Stars Shine in Dramatic Victory: Top 10 Players Rated by Pro Football Focus

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10/11/2024 21h39

**BYU’s Dramatic Comeback Win: Top 10 Players Rated by Pro Football Focus**

In a thrilling finish, BYU remarkably triumphed over its long-time rival Utah with a last-minute field goal by Will Ferrin, securing a 22-21 victory and preserving their unbeaten record for the season. Analyzing the top-performing players in this matchup, as assessed by Pro Football Focus, reveals that defensive stars largely dominated the game, with eight of the ten highest grades coming from the defensive side.

Chase Roberts emerged as the highest-rated player with a grade of 75.6. The wide receiver led BYU with 91 yards on six receptions, including a pivotal catch during the final drive that set up the game-winning field goal. Roberts' performance under pressure cements his place in the storied rivalry between BYU and Utah.

On defense, John Nelson led the charge with a grade of 74.4. The defensive tackle had two quarterback pressures and four stops, tying for the most on the defense. Nelson's unyielding defense played a crucial role in BYU's second-half resurgence.

Jakob Robinson made his presence felt in the secondary, posting a grade of 72.3. The defensive back allowed no receptions during the game and even forced an incompletion with a quarterback hurry on third down. Right tackle Isaiah Jatta, also graded at 72.3, stepped in during the crucial final drive and performed flawlessly, not allowing any quarterback pressures.

Linebacker Jack Kelly, who received a grade of 72.2, was the most productive linebacker in a standout unit. He recorded four stops and had the highest run defense grade, playing a significant part in neutralizing Utah's offense. Defensive lineman Blake Mangelson matched Kelly's impact in the middle, earning a grade of 71.3 with a strong run defense performance.

Defensive back Marque Collins, who earned a grade of 70.5, had one of his best performances yet for BYU. Despite being targeted six times, he allowed only two receptions and made a notable tackle for loss in the second half. Isaiah Glasker, another defensive stalwart with a grade of 70.0, showed his versatility by impacting the run defense and nearly securing a sack before it was nullified by a penalty.

Joshua Singh added depth to the defensive line with a grade of 69.3, delivering 15 productive snaps and excelling against the run. Finally, linebacker Harrison Taggart, with a grade of 65.4, distinguished himself as the highest-graded pass rusher, recording two quarterback hits.

This comprehensive look at the top ten Pro Football Focus-graded players underscores the collective effort and defensive prowess that propelled BYU to an unforgettable victory against their fierce rivals.

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

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