October thriller: Darius Lassiter scores in final seconds to give No. 13 BYU football thrilling win over Oklahoma State
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- BYU players celebrate with senior Darius Lassiter (5) after he scored the game-winning touchdown during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU senior wide receiver Darius Lassiter jumps into the end zone to score the game-winning touchdown during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU players celebrate with senior Darius Lassiter (5) in the locker room after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff celebrates after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU players celebrate with the fans after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior wide receiver Chase Roberts catches a pass to convert on fourth down during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) runs the ball in for a touchdown in the final seconds of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)
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- BYU defenders make a tackle during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake directs his team during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff looks to pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU senior running back Hinckley Ropati runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff throws a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU senior Tyler Batty chases Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU defenders try to tackle Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior safety Tanner Wall (28) runs the ball up the field after intercepting a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU freshman wide receiver Jojo Phillips attempts to make a catch during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU senior defensive back Marque Collins defends a pass BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU freshman safety Faletau Satuala tackles Oklahoma State sophomore Talyn Shettron BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior safety Tanner Wall runs the ball up the field after intercepting a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- A BYU ball carrier runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior safety Micah Harper tries to make a tackle BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II runs the ball up the field BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU freshman safety Faletau Satuala tried to stop Oklahoma State quarterback Garret Rangel BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU safety Raider Damuni tries to stop Oklahoma State quarterback Garret Rangel BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin runs the ball during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU fans watch anxiously during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- Fire knife dancers entertain the BYU crowd during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff throws a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff runs the ball up the field during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- Cheerleaders wave the BYU flags during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
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- A BYU ball carrier looks for an opening during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
How does it feel to score a stunning game-winning touchdown in the final seconds in front of almost 63,000 fans?
“My emotions are all over the place right now,” BYU senior wide receiver Darius Lassiter said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or be happy, you know? But I’m just glad that we were able to get the job done.”
How does it feel to throw that game-winning touchdown pass to keep your team undefeated on the season?
“It’s magical, spiritual,” Cougar junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff said. “How can you not be romantic about this game with something like that? Weylin Lapuaho was in tears on the sideline. Connor Pay was scooting around in tears. It’s a special experience, man. And doing it at home makes it even more fun. It was just unbelievable. Man, that’s something that’s going to be talked about for a long time, especially in my household.”
Down by four points, No. 13-ranked BYU faced a second-and-10 from the Oklahoma State 35-yard line with just 19 seconds left to play in Friday night’s heart-stopping Big 12 game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Retzlaff dropped back, scanned the field, had plenty of time thanks to good blocking by the Cougar offensive line, then rifled the ball to where Lassiter was coming open at about the 15-yard line.
“I just saw him coming open and threw the ball,” Retzlaff said. “There’s a certain point, especially a two-minute drill, where you’ve just got to see the field. The defense is playing zone coverage-ish, although in the back it kind of mans up. Darius made an incredible play. And that’s Darius. That’s No. 5 for you.”
Lassiter explained that he wasn’t the first option in the pattern but found an opening.
“Originally it was a play to get (freshman receiver JoJo Phillips) open,” Lassiter said. “We were just looking to get us in closer field position.
“But once I ran my seam, I looked back and nobody was in my spot. I just saw Jake looking this way. I was like, I don’t know who he’s throwing this to, but I’m going to go make a play.”
Lassiter snatched the ball cleanly out of the air with room to maneuver — and he’s proven before that he can be dangerous in the open field.
“I made the first guy miss, and then after that made another one miss and got into the end zone,” Lassiter said. “It was just a great feeling, just especially doing it in front of the ROC (the BYU student section). After I did my celebration, I just kind of blacked out.”
Lassiter’s TD gave the Cougars the lead with just 11 seconds to play and BYU finally was able to put away a determined Oklahoma State squad who played a great game and nearly pulled off the upset.
But it was the Cougars who escaped with the 38-35 win and stayed undefeated in 2024.
“Obviously I’m just really happy about the win and really proud of the way the guys played,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. “Man, this wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of the fight and the belief that the guys have in each other and the leadership on our team. It was an exciting win.
“The coach in me wants us to get better, obviously, but felt like we had some good moments. I want us to be more consistent, but you have to give Oklahoma state a lot of credit. They came in ready to play. They had a plan. We are going to have to battle that every week.”
Sitake said he actually didn’t see the end of Lassiter’s climactic play because he was trying to make sure he gave his team every chance to win.
“I saw the catch, but I was more concerned about the time so I was looking up at the clock to see if we needed to clock it (spike the ball to stop the clock) or use a timeout,” Sitake said. “I knew that we probably had time to clock it, but then I kind of got shocked, because he broke some tackles and got the score. That made it easy.”
But his attention immediately went from scoring to regain the lead to making it as hard as possible for the Cowboys to come up with a miracle.
“My concern went to getting everybody off the field so we didn’t get penalized for it,” Sitake said. “Then it was about getting the defense ready for the last 10 seconds of the game.”
It was understandable that one more miracle might be possible, since it had been that type of game.
Neither team led by more than seven points as both BYU and OSU fought back and forth, with both offenses having a lot of success.
With the game tied at 28-28 in the fourth quarter, the Cougars drove into Cowboy territory but a third down pass was just out of the reach of Lassiter in the end zone and BYU had to settle for a successful 41-yard field goal from junior kicker Will Ferrin.
But then it was Oklahoma State’s turn and the visitors made the most of it.
The Cowboys methodically marched down the field in 17 plays, converting on two short fourth-down plays and using a screen pass to get 21 yards on a third-and-13.
OSU moved in front on third-and-2 from the 6-yard line when Cowboy senior quarterback Alan Bowman got the ball to senior receiver Brennan Presley on a swing pass. Presley made a BYU defender miss and walked into the end zone to make the score 35-31 and quiet the Cougar crowd.
“Props to them, obviously, for having a great game plan,” BYU junior safety Tanner Wall said. “They came out and executed. They’re a tough team. Their offensive line has all five returning starters from last year, so they’re a veteran team. I thought that they handled themselves well in that crazy atmosphere that is LaVell Edwards Stadium in a night game here.”
But the Cougars still had 1:13 on the clock and two timeouts to work with, so there was time to flip the script again.
“Everybody believed (we were going to score),” Retzlaff said. “I love the two-minute drill. That’s my thing. Every time we did it in camp, every time we did it in spring ball, I was always excited, ready to go, getting the guys going. And we are really good at it.”
BYU sophomore linebacker Isaiah Glasker said he focused on encouraging the offensive line before the biggest drive of the game.
“I usually like to talk to the O line because it starts up front,” Glasker said. “I always tell them that in the locker room and that if they do a great job, it gives chances to make catches and have big runs. I always tap them on the helmet and say just go get it.”
After the first three plays gained just three yards, though, the Cougars faced a fourth-and-7 with their chances of winning on the line.
Retzlaff, though, stayed calm and fired a pass on target to junior wide receiver Chase Roberts for an 8-yard gain to keep the drive alive.
Two plays later, Retzlaff got flushed from the pocket but spotted an opening.
“I remember seeing a lot of space in front of me, and then I saw the linebackers trying to cut me off before I got to the sideline,” Retzlaff said. “But there was nobody behind him. The safety was way back there. I was like, OK, he’s going give me the inside. I’ll just take the yards, knowing we had a timeout. I also knew I was going to get the first down, so I knew the clock was going to stop.”
BYU rushed to the line and spiked the ball, setting up the drama and euphoria of Lassiter’s big play.
The Cougars ended up gaining a few more yards than Oklahoma State (473-421), although the Cowboys churned out 269 yards on the ground (BYU had 255).
Retzlaff finished with 218 yards passing and 81 rushing with three total touchdowns and two interceptions, while Lassiter ended up with 129 yards on six receptions and the game-winning score.
The Cougars improved to 7-0 overall (4-0 in the Big 12), which is their best start to a season since 2020. Only the 2020, 2001, 1984 and 1979 BYU teams have ever started a season with seven consecutive victories.
The Cougars will try to make it eight when they head to Orlando to face UCF on Oct. 26.
