Allgeier leads BYU to 21-19 win at Washington State

PULLMAN, Wash. — Led by Tyler Allgeier’s 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns, BYU football outlasted Washington State 21-19 at Martin Stadium on Saturday.

In the battle of the Cougars, BYU totaled 385 yards of offense, with 238 of those coming on the ground, a season high. BYU held Washington State to 93 yards rushing, its second lowest performance of the season.

Leading 21-19, and Washington State having all three timeouts left, Allgeier and the offensive line went to work with 4:14 remaining in the game. Allgeier ended up running the ball seven times in a row, picking up three first downs to run out the clock and put the game away. 

With the win, BYU (6-2) became bowl eligible for the 16th time in 17 seasons and earned its fourth victory over a Power 5 team in a single season for the first time in school history (Wins over Arizona, Utah, Arizona State and Washington State). 

Quarterback Jaren Hall finished the game 15 of 20 for 143 yards. He completed passes to eight different BYU wideouts, including Neil Pau’u who recorded six receptions for 70 yards. 

Allgeier’s 191 yards came on a career-best 32 carries. Fellow running back Lopini Katoa also had 3 carries for 15 yards and one touchdown. 

Defensive back Jacob Boren and linebacker Ben Bywater led the BYU defense with five total tackles and four solo tackles each. Boren also added a pass breakup. Defensive back Malik Moore finished with four tackles, three solo, two pass breakups and an interception.

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POSTGAME NOTES

First Quarter

Washington State got the ball first and drove 75 yards in 10 plays, five passing and five rushing, taking a 7-0 lead at the 9:36 mark of the first quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by running back Max Borghi.

A balanced rushing attack led by Allgeier, who hit 2,000 career rushing yards at BYU on the possession, helped BYU answer in a three-yard rushing touchdown by Katoa, his first of the season, to tie it up a 7-7 with 6:04 left in the quarter.

The BYU defense responded with a Moore interception that he returned to the Washington State 23-yard line, but BYU went three-and-out, unable to capitalize on the turnover.

Ryan Rehkow boomed a punt, helping to flip the field, and defensive lineman Pepe Tanuvasa stopped Borghi on 3rd down as the first quarter clock expired. 

Second Quarter

Opening the second quarter, BYU took over near midfield after Washington State’s shanked punt. Two penalties slowed the possession, however, and Jake Oldroyd’s 45-yard field goal was wide left.

The BYU defense forced a third-straight punt, taking over with 2:32 remaining in the half, but Hall was sacked and BYU eventually punted back to Washington State, who knelt to end the half.

Third Quarter

Hall began the second half with four-straight completions to three different wide receivers before Allgeier broke free for a 21-yard gain. Allgeier punched it in six plays later with a four-yard touchdown, giving BYU its first lead of the game at 14-7 at the 9:42 mark of the third quarter.

Washington State answered with Max Borghi’s second rushing touchdown of the game after a 10-play, 69-yard drive, but a miscue on the extra point allowed BYU to remain in front, 14-13, with 5:08 left in the third.

On the next BYU drive, Allgeier, wide receiver Puka Nacua, Hall, Katoa, Pau’u and tight end Dallin Holker each saw touches as BYU drove 79-yards in 10 plays to the Washington State 2-yard line before the third quarter concluded.

Fourth Quarter

Allgeier began the 4th with a two-yard touchdown run, extending the BYU lead 21-13 just a second into the quarter.

Moore just missed on interceptions twice during Washington State’s ensuing possession as BYU forced another Washington State punt, but a BYU three-and-out brought Rehkow out for a punt of its own.

Washington State then put together an 11-play, 76-yard drive capped by Borghi’s third rushing touchdown but its two-point conversion attempt failed, and BYU held a 21-19 advantage with 4:14 remaining in the game.

The Cougars countered with Allgeier, who carried the ball seven times and forced Washington State to call all three of its timeouts. Allgeier picked up three first downs, the last coming on 3rd-and-7, allowing BYU to kneel out its 21-19 victory.

The Cougars will return home to host Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 8:15 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.