The BYU Cougars opened their 2021 season with a 24-16 win over the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Here are three takeaways from the Cougars’ win.
Defense brought pressure when it mattered
There were questions about how good Arizona’s offense would be with a new coaching staff after an 0-5 2020 season and uncertainty at quarterback.
The Cougars were able to stymie that offense much of the night by pressuring the line of scrimmage, and they ultimately came up with four sacks, with Keenan Pili, Payton Wilgar, Tyler Batty and Uriah Leiataua getting one apiece.
More specifically, there were a couple of occasions when Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz took big yardage losses when pressured that got the Wildcats out of an opportunity to score.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) scores a touchdown past Arizona Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman (23) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) yells after coming off the field during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) celebrates a sack on Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona Wildcats during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) dives for a touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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BYU players pause during warmups in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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BYU football players warm up in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Arizona Wildcats and Brigham Young Cougars play during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars take the field during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Blake Mangelson (93) tackles Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) scores on an two point conversion during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Jakob Robinson (0) and Brigham Young Cougars defensive back D’Angelo Mandell (5) celebrate a defensive stand during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars placekicker Justen Smith (37) kicks off during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake talks with the referee during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson attends the game during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs after receiving a reverse pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars runner Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrates his touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) looks to pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) takes a snap during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) grabs a pass during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Will Plummer (15) is sacked by the BYU defense during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (33) calls a play after a tackle during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) rushes during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) pushes down Arizona Wildcats safety Jaxen Turner (21) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Keenan Ellis (2) is injured during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Keenan Ellis (2) is injured during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) is sacked by the BYU defense during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson attends the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) scores a touchdown during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) scores a touchdown past Arizona Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman (23) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Micah Harper cheers on the sideline during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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A BYU fan dressed as Elvis cheers during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrate his touchdown with Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua (58) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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BYU fans take photos outside the Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall warms up in Allegiant Stadium prior to the Vegas Kickoff Classic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Brigham Young Cougars sing the fight song during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars athletic director Tom Holmoe watches the game during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) pitches the ball during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Hayden Livingston (28) celebrates his interception during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Justen Smith (37) makes a field goal during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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The Brigham Young Cougars defense celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona Wildcats during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Isaiah Herron (11) is called for interference on Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham (11) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Morgan Pyper (10) dives for Arizona Wildcats Stanley Berryhill during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Dallin Holker (32) has the ball batted away by Arizona Wildcats cornerback Treydan Stukes (20) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake shows how Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) scored during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Hayden Livingston (28) upends Arizona Wildcats tight end Alex Lines (88) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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BYU fans cheer during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
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BYU fans attend the game at the Allegiant Stadium during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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BYU and Arizona face off at Allegiant Stadium during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
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Offense was solid
In the first game of the Jaren Hall era as BYU’s undisputed starting quarterback, he was very solid, going 18 of 28 for 198 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed five times for 36 yards and was not sacked once until the fourth quarter.
A big storyline coming into the season was how many weapons at receiver Hall would have, but he wound up being rather limited, as neither Puka nor Samson Nacua played, and Gunner Romney got hurt.
Enter Neil Pau’u, who finished with eight receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, including a 67-yarder.
Tyler Allgeier was very good in the run game, finishing with 94 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, and Lopini Katoa added 33 yards on nine carries.
Special teams was a sneaky big factor
On the surface, not a ton happened in the special teams department, but some of what made it important is what didn’t happen.
For BYU, backup kicker Justen Smith made a field goal in the fourth quarter in place of star Jake Oldroyd that largely put the game out of reach, and Ryan Rehkow averaged 48 yards on five punts, with three inside the 20-yard line.
Arizona’s Lucas Havrisik, on the other hand, only made two of four field goals. That said, the brightest spot of the game for the Wildcats was a stretch of just over a minute in which it scored 10 points, and it was started by a punt that landed at the 1-yard line.
