The 25th ranked Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 host the 12th ranked BYU Cougars on Saturday. The Ducks come in with a record of 1-1 while the Cougars, an independent, are 2-0 on the season. These two teams haven't played since the Las Vegas Bowl in 2006 when BYU rolled to an easy 38-18 win. Oregon is favored by 3.5 points at home in this one.
The BYU Cougars are off to a 2-0 start and have moved up to a No. 12 ranking in the country after last weekend's 26-20 win over Baylor in double overtime. This followed a 50-21 win over South Florida in the opener as an 11 point favorite. In the win over Baylor last Saturday, the Cougars were 2.5 point favorites, but Baylor was ranked in the top 10, so it was impressive. The Cougars won it on a three yard touchdown run by Lipini Katoa in overtime. “That’s a tough defense right there,” said Katoa, reported ESPN. “They pride themselves on stopping the run. They do a great job at it. Me and Chris (Brooks) both knew we were going to have to scratch and claw for every yard.”
BYU wins it. Fans are storming the field in Provo.
BYU downs No. 9 Baylor 26-20 pic.twitter.com/AFI7z1EliL
— Kevin Reynolds (@Kevinreynolds 30) September 11, 2022
The place kind of erupted after the score, as fans stormed the field. BYU showed they had a pretty t0ugh defense, too, holding the then 9th ranked Cougars to just 289 yards in total offense. BYU, which has long been known as Quarterback U, rolled up 283 yards in the air in this game, as quarterback Jaren Hall was 23 for 39 for 261 yards and 1 touchdown with o interceptions. He also had 28 yards rushing. Chase Roberts had himself a game with 8 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Keanu Hill had 4 catches for 57 yards. Brooks led the rushing attack with 31 yards while Katoa only had 26 yards on 9 carries — but those last 3 yards were the game winners.