After a tremendous 2020 season in which they went 11-1, the BYU Cougars opened officially what could be considered a new era on Saturday night.
In their 24-16 win over the Arizona Wildcats at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Cougars were very good in some areas but, like always and especially after a season opener, they have some things they need to get better at in order to be successful the rest of the season.
Here are the grades from the Cougars’ win.
Offense
This was the area of most intrigue for BYU heading into the season, as it had the task of replacing the second pick in the 2021 NFL draft, quarterback Zach Wilson.
All in all, Jaren Hall was very good in that role on Saturday night. He started out rather shaky, going just 2 of 7 early, but then he definitely settled into a groove as the first half went on.
At halftime, Hall was 10 of 16 for 148 yards with a touchdown. He slowed down in the second half but still finished a solid 18 of 28 for 198 yards with two touchdowns. Important context to that is the fact that he was without receivers Puka and Samson Nacua, and Gunner Romney left early with an injury.
Hall found an especially good connection with Neil Pau’u, who finished with eight catches for 126 yards with two touchdowns.
In the run game, Tyler Allgeier was also solid with 94 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, and the offensive line was good.
The Cougars will surely have to get more explosive if they want to have success this season, but that should happen if they can get their top receivers back. For now, it was a good start.
Grade: B
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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.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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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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Defense
Look, Arizona’s offense is probably not going to be very good this season, so it should be taken with a little grain of salt that BYU allowed just 16 points. Helping that was also the fact that Arizona missed two field goal attempts.
That being said, the Cougars were successful at getting pressure on Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz, and that often came at crucial times. Total stats are one thing, but making plays when they need to be made is another, and the BYU defense did that for the most part.
That being said, the Cougars ultimately gave up 426 yards of offense, including 345 passing yards. There were coverage issues and a bunch of missed tackles. Additionally, Arizona went 3 for 3 on fourth down.
In essence, BYU bended at times but didn’t break, although the group will have to be better moving forward, especially after a second half in which it surrendered 254 yards of offense.
Grade: C+
Special teams
In a game that saw special teams be a pretty significant factor, The Cougars were good for the most part.
Most notably, Justen Smith filled in for star Jake Oldroyd and made an important 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. On punts, Ryan Rehkow averaged 48 yards on five boots. On returns, BYU didn’t allow much in the punt variety but did on kickoffs.
An Arizona punt that went to the 1 yard-line is a play that changed the complexion of the contest in the second half before the Cougars closed things out.
Grade: A-
