No. 22 BYU leads early, holds off Baylor

Field Level Media|published: Sat 28th September, 16:17 2024

Sep 28, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

No. 22 BYU took an early three-touchdown lead before holding off Baylor to win 34-28 and achieve its first road victory in the Big 12 in its second year in the conference.

The Cougars (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) withstood a comeback attempt by Baylor (2-3, 0-2) after taking a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Baylor's Sawyer Robertson completed all six of his passes, including a 23-yard touchdown connection with Josh Cameron, in a drive that cut BYU's lead to 34-28 with 10:07 left.

With 4:01 remaining, BYU's Jake Retzlaff threw an interception that was tipped by Treven Ma'ae and caught by Elinus Noel III then returned 2 yards to the BYU 45.

Baylor converted on four fourth-down attempts before it was stopped on a fourth-and-6 play at the BYU 24 with an incomplete pass with 1:47 remaining.

BYU was then forced to punt following a three-and-out that included a personal foul penalty on the Cougars.

Baylor took possession at its 39 with 1:24 left. Robertson then threw an interception that was caught by Crew Wakley that ended the threat.

Robertson completed 27 of 48 pass attempts for 324 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Cameron finished with seven receptions for 125 yards with two touchdowns.

Retzlaff was 17 of 31 for 216 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Retzlaff's top target, Darius Lassiter, had eight receptions for 120 yards with a touchdown.

BYU scored on its first four possessions of the game to build a 28-7 lead with 9:32 left in the second quarter.

The Cougars took advantage of an interception thrown by Robertson and a turnover on downs by Baylor to build a 21-0 lead with 3:39 left in the first quarter.

Baylor put together an 80-yard drive that took eight plays to score its first touchdown -- a 20-yard run by Robertson with three seconds left in the first quarter.

BYU took a 31-14 lead into halftime after Will Ferrin made a 54-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half.

Baylor had two fourth-down conversions during the opening possession of the second half, finishing with Robertson's 15-yard touchdown pass to Ashtyn Hawkins.

Ferrin's 37-yard field goal with 3:33 left in the third quarter gave BYU a 34-21 lead.

--Field Level Media

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