Not quite enough: Costly miscues too much for BYU football to overcome in close loss to No. 14 Oklahoma
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff throws a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- Oklahoma defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd (80) dives on a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to the officials during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU defenders make a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins celebrates making a big run during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU sophomore wide receiver Kody Epps runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU fans cheer on their team during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU sophomore wide receiver Chase Roberts scores a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU senior linebacker Max Tooley makes a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior Hobbs Nyberg catches a punt during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior cornerback Jakob Robinson defends against a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff runs the ball during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff throws a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU senior linebacker Max Tooley attempts to make a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU defenders make a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins fights for extra yards during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU sophomore Bruce Mitchell tries to deflect a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU players run onto the field before the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- Performers entertain BYU fans during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU sophomore Talan Allfrey attempts to make a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake walks onto the field after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- Oklahoma wide receiver Jayden Gibson (1) catches a pass over BYU safety Crew Wakley (38) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah.
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- BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah.
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- BYU seniors walk across the field after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff prepares to run a play during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior running back Aidan Robbins runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU players celebrate with junior tight end Isaac Rex after he scored a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU senior running back Deion Smith carries the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff scores a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
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- BYU players run onto the field before the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
It was the play everyone was talking about after Saturday’s Big 12 game between BYU and No. 14 Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo that the Sooners won 31-24.
The Cougars had not only stood up to the favored Sooners but were tied at 17-17 midway through the third quarter and a 22-yard run by junior running back Aidan Robbins had given BYU a first-and-goal at the Oklahoma 2-yard line.
It was the moment the Cougars had been waiting for, a chance to go in front and amp up the pressure on the visiting Sooners.
What happened next was a catastrophe of epic proportions for BYU as junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff fired a pass that was intercepted by Oklahoma junior defensive back Billy Bowman.
Despite Retzlaff’s best efforts, Bowman won the race to the opposite end zone, scoring a game-changing 100-yard pick-6 and putting the visitors back in front.
Cougar fans everywhere were frustrated and many expressed anger at the play call on deciding to go for the pass instead of continuing to run the ball, something BYU did well for much of the game.
It’s hard to blame them. Even Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake was disappointed.
“The play call was an RPO (run-pass option) which means run first,” Sitake said. “We went fast but you don’t throw the pass unless there’s nobody covering him. This was one of those moments where you’ve just got to hand the ball off.”
Sitake’s initial impression from the sideline was that Retzlaff made the wrong read.
“I believe they had two guys out on coverage,” Sitake said. “The read on that was to give the running back the ball. Instead, they made the play and we made a mistake. It was a costly one because you’re about to go up by seven points but instead you go down by seven, so there’s a 14-point swing. It was a horrible to go through.”
But Retzlaff’s pass was intended for BYU sophomore wide receiver Kody Epps, who had a very different point of view. To him, the problem wasn’t due to the decision-making but due to the timing.
“It was one of our get-on-the-ball plays and they (the Oklahoma defense) having some miscommunication,” Epps said. “Right when Jake snapped the ball, someone came out of the pack they had in the middle of the field and came over to pick it off. He (Bowman) made a really good play. For a split second, it was open but they made a late call and got a guy over there super-quick.”
It was a case of the opposing defense making the better play when the Cougar offense tried to go fast and catch them off guard, something that has happened numerous times in 2023.
The big interception return for a touchdown was one of three devastating turnovers BYU coughed up, all three of which turned into TDs for the Sooners. Although the Cougars showed greatly improved resiliency compared to prior losses, that proved to be too much to overcome as Oklahoma held on for the win.
“I’m proud of the guys, although that was obviously not the outcome I was feeling like we would get,” Sitake said. “We felt like we had a shot at this but we made too many mistakes. It came down to the wire and I’m proud of the guys’ fight. We know we can play with people and I’m glad we could show that on the field.”
Unlike in the losses in four of the past five weeks, BYU never trailed in this contest by more than a touchdown — although the Cougars never led either.
BYU actually had the ball seven times with chances to go in front, only to have these outcomes:
- Punt (after a dropped pass that would’ve got the first down on the first Cougar possession).
- Fumbled handoff (after a great punt return by freshman Parker Kingston gave BYU great field position).
- Field goal (the 49-yard kick by Cougar sophomore kicker Will Ferrin tied the game at 17-17 at halftime).
- Punt (on the first possession of the second half).
- Punt (after a false start put BYU in a first-and-long situation).
- Interception for a touchdown (see above).
- Fumble (after an unblocked Sooner linebacker hit Retzlaff from the blind side and knocked the ball free).
But even with all the Cougar miscues, Oklahoma couldn’t pull away.
The Sooners lost senior starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel at halftime but got key plays from the Sooner run game, particularly when the outcome was in doubt.
After the pick-6, BYU responded with an 8-play, 75-yard drive with Retzlaff lunging into the end zone after a 10-yard run to tie the game again at 24-24.
“Giving up a play like that can be a little frustrating, but at the same time you’ve got to move past it just because that’s way that football works,” Epps said. “They have to kick the ball back to us and we have to go back out there and play offense. The biggest thing is just staying together. You let it sting a little bit just so that we can use that as something to keep us going and keep us motivated to keep wanting to push the ball down the field and make plays.”
The Cougar defense bent but ended up forcing Oklahoma to try a 27-yard field goal that sailed wide, giving BYU’s offense another chance to go in front.
But after four Robbins runs gained 17 yards, the Cougars had third-and-4 that turned into another disaster. The initial pass wasn’t open and that gave Sooner junior linebacker Danny Stutsman time to get around the end and force a fumble that Oklahoma recovered at the Cougar 25-yard line.
Three running plays later, Sooner freshman running back Gavin Sawchuk broke a couple of tackles and rumbled into the end zone for a 16-yard score that put the visitors up for good.
Hampered by a pair of false start penalties, BYU couldn’t get a first down on its next possession and was forced to punt. Oklahoma picked up two first downs to run out the clock.
“Credit to Oklahoma,” Sitake said. “Coach (Brett) Venables has done a great job with this team. They’re resilient. They fight back and caused turnovers, stuff that I wish we could have done. I liked the way they won the game with the offense in victory formation, and so credit to them.”
The Cougars actually outgained the Sooners in total yards (390-368) led by a huge effort by Robbins (22 carries for 185 yards).
“I credit my offensive line for providing me an opportunity to do those things and (offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick) for making the play calls and then trusting the ball in my hands,” Robbins said. “I also credit Jake (Retzlaff) for opening the run game. I commend everybody. We tried to execute at a high level, but it just wasn’t enough at the end of the day.”
Although the Cougars wanted to send the seniors off with one final big win at LaVell Edwards Stadium, there was a sense of pride in having played more to the level BYU feels it is capable of playing.
“We prepared like no other for this game,” Cougar senior defensive back Eddie Heckard said. “We knew what we had on our hands. I feel like we’ve had that in us all year, so I knew we could do it. I knew we could compete with them, just like we competed with Texas and all those other schools. We had a bad few weeks. This week we showed how we supposed to play all year.”
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