So it stands to reason the Buffaloes were intent to turn the tables come Saturday’s rematch at Folsom Field.

And the tables were turned, significantly, at least throughout the initial phases of BYU’s 24-21 win at Folsom Field in what was the Cougar’s first Big 12 Conference game of the season.

What played out was nothing short of stunning from the outset, considering just how dominant the Cougars had proved defensive in the first three games played this season. Colorado gashed the Cougar front up and down the field to the tune of touchdown drives of 75 and 62 yards, which culminated into a 14-0 lead and perhaps an ominous feeling that Cougar fans and players haven’t felt for some time.

“They were probably circling this game on their schedule,” Glasker said regarding Colorado’s tremendous surge at the outset which involved entirely different looks and checks, along with a renewed physicality to put the Cougar defense on figurative roller skates.

“I don’t know if we expected them just to bow down to us in the run game, but they played really physical and got after us,” added BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake. “I don’t know if we responded the right way when we got hit in the mouth. It took us a few plays to just settle down and do your part.”

Indeed the remainder of the contest saw Colorado add just a single touchdown to its scoring ledger and a relatively paltry 154 yards of total offense. Eventually the Cougar defense regained its form of initiating timely sacks, proving stout along the front seven while providing solid backend coverage.

So what flipped the switch?

“It was really about just settling down,” explained BYU linebacker Jack Kelly, who finished with a team-leading six tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack. “I think we came out trying to make plays instead of letting the plays come to us. We were antsy to play and excited to play, and I think that’s a good thing, but you have to have a sense of calmness as well. Once we settled down and let the plays come to us, that’s when it turned around.”

Sitake saw much of the same thing Kelly did and helped administer BYU’s defensive resurgence on Saturday, which ironically came about by easing a bit on the gas pedal.

“Once they started gaining some yards, everyone started to press a little bit more,” Sitake said. “Maybe things were too easy for them in those first three games, and when things started getting tight, guys were trying to do too much and step outside their (responsibilities), and that’s never going to work. Once we did the simple things the guys started to play better.”

Yet again it was outside linebackers Kelly and Isaiah Glasker leading the charge in tracking down Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter in the backfield to providing solid coverage in the flat and downfield.

“When Isaiah and Jack are flying around, good things happen for our defense,” Sitake said. “We just need to find ways for them to be at their fastest and in spots to make plays.”

BYU coach’s confidence in the defense resurfaced eventually and in no doubt prompted the big decision to allow the unit to put the finishing touches on the game.

With just 1:49 remaining the Cougar offense was forced into a fourth-down situation at Colorado’s 34 yard line. It’s a spot where kicker Will Ferrin is more than capable of booting through a field goal, but instead the coaches opted to pin the Buffaloes deep, confident in punter Sam Vander Haar’s ability to do as much. Vander Haar summarily cooperated, placing a punt inside the five yard line and a very long field ahead of Colorado in its hopes for a comeback win.

Just four plays later saw Glasker pick off a pass that effectively ended the game, which was a play Sitake has come to expect from one of his defensive leaders.

“When Glasker is out there in coverage, you’re not going to be able to throw against him very often,” Sitake said. “He’s so instinctive and I think he should have had a pick-6 (in the first half), but we’ll take the one at the end.”

Overall coaches and players believe the initial blow dealt by Colorado will be a positive development moving forward to even tougher Big 12 Conference competition.

“I’ll look at the film and see where we can improve, but I’m just really excited about the fight and the ability to get a victory in a really cool environment,” Sitake concluded.