Bear Bachmeier threw for one score and ran for another, and BYU forced two turnovers to win its third straight over Utah and seventh overall, earning a 24-21 win over the Utes in Provo.
The Cougars (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) got outgained 470-368 by the visitors, but discipline helped make the difference. BYU committed just five penalties to Utah’s 12, and the interception and fumble recovery led to 10 Cougar points. Additionally, Utah got stopped on fourth down on four occasions.
Devon Dampier threw two touchdown passes, but the Utes couldn’t get out of their own way. Dampier’s interception allowed BYU to run five minutes off the clock before scoring a touchdown to go up 10, forcing Utah to scramble. The Utes managed to cut into the lead with a quick touchdown drive, but could not get another possession.
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BYU is currently leading the conference, along with Cincinnati. The Cougars will visit Iowa State on Saturday. Utah will host another rival when it faces Colorado.
Frogs Force Four Turnovers, Hold Off Bears
Josh Hoover threw three touchdown passes and TCU intercepted Sawyer Robertson three times, as TCU hung on for a 42-36 win over Baylor in Fort Worth.
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The last interception proved crucial for the Horned Frogs (5-2, 2-2 Big 12), as Baylor (4-3, 2-2) nearly came up with a comeback for the ages. TCU had a 35-21 lead after lightning delayed the game for two hours, which quickly became 42-21 and saw Robertson throw his second pick after the delay.
But TCU then let Baylor back into the game with a fumble that went for one score and a three-and-out on the next possession. When Baylor recovered an onside kick with 30 seconds left, it appeared TCU might find a way to lose a lead that seemed insurmountable.
However, Namdi Obiazor picked off Robertson for the third time, sealing the survival for the Frogs. TCU comes to West Virginia this week on Saturday, while Baylor will travel to Cincinnati.
Sun Devils Withstand Red Raiders
Raleek Brown scored from a yard out, and Arizona State defeated previously unbeaten Texas Tech, winning 26-22 in Tempe.
Arizona State (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) had controlled the game up until the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, holding the powerful Texas Tech offense to just seven points. However, a blocked punt set Texas Tech up on the Arizona State 48 for one touchdown, and the Red Raiders returned the Sun Devils’ next punt to the ASU 12.
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But the Sun Devils came up with a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped off with Brown’s run from a yard out. Arizona State held the ball for 37 minutes, keeping the Texas Tech offense from getting into much rhythm.
Texas Tech will host Oklahoma State this week, while Arizona State will host Houston.
Bearcats Crush Cowboys
Brendan Sorsby tossed four touchdown passes and Cincinnati rolled past Oklahoma State, beating the Cowboys 49-17 in Stillwater.
Cincinnati (6-1, 4-0 Big 12) has now won six in a row since losing on opening night to Nebraska in Kansas City. The Bearcats scored on all four of their first-half possessions, never letting the Cowboys (1-6, 0-4) come anywhere close to thinking of an upset.
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Oklahoma State did get 163 rushing yards and a score out of Rodney Fields Jr. But the Cowboys struggled through the air, and they remain winless against FBS competition. Only Tulsa has allowed the Cowboys to stay within 18 points of them.
The Cowboys will try to snap a 13-game Big 12 losing streak in Lubbock against Texas Tech. Cincinnati will host Baylor.
Sanchez Drills Winner for Houston
Ethan Sanchez hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired, and the host Cougars held off Arizona for a 31-28 win on Saturday in Houston.
Connor Weigman had a pedestrian night yardage wise, but made up for it by throwing three touchdown passes for the Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Big 12). Noah Fifita threw just two incompletions and two touchdowns, but the Wildcats’ lack of a running game proved to be their undoing.
Arizona has the week off before traveling to Colorado next week. Houston will head to Arizona State.
