There are plenty of interesting subplots, though, as the Cougars moved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12. One of those is a defense that may have to survive for a while without playmaking linebacker Jack Kelly, who went out of the game in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury.

The BYU offense, which hadn’t turned the ball over the first four games, coughed it up three times, two of which led directly to West Virginia touchdowns. The offense was not only loose with the ball but sloppy in terms of penalties and managed only 3.5 yards per carry, though LJ Martin broke away on a 32-yard run late in the game.

Chase Roberts (161 receiving yards) and Parker Kingston (111) gave BYU some offensive punch and Martin scored two touchdowns on the ground.

Still, the Cougars held West Virginia to 156 rushing yards (3.3 yards per carry) and two of the visitors touchdowns came directly after BYU turnovers deep in its own territory.

The Cougars held a 38-17 lead and pulled off goal-line stand in the fourth quarter but the backups allowed a long West Virginia touchdown pass with 1:14 to play for the final margin.

BYU will be at Arizona in Tucson next Saturday.

Return to heraldextra.com for more on this game.