BYU 41, Southern Utah 16
BYU, as expected, moved to 2-0 on the young season after the Cougars offense bounced back from a rough Week 1 with 394 yards of total offense. Kedon Slovis threw for 348 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while also rushing for another score.
The BYU defense bent more this week than the season-opening win over Sam Houston, but the Cougars held the SUU offense down through much of the first half before the T-Birds got some things offensively in the second half.
BYU 41, Southern Utah 16
5:17 — Targhee Lambson scored on a 2-yard run to give SUU its second touchdown of the half, punctuating an impressive 75-yard drive for the visiting T-Birds. BYU 41, Southern Utah 16.
9:39 — BYU capitalized on a special teams miscue, scoring on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Kedon Slovis to Chase Roberts. That came one play after true freshman Marcus McKenzie, who's having a stellar special teams day, recovered a muffed punt by Southern Utah. BYU 41, Southern Utah 10.
BYU 34, Southern Utah 10
0:36 — Kedon Slovis scored his third rushing touchdown of the season, running it in from 6 yards out as BYU finally got its offense going in the second half. The Cougars converted a fourth-and-3 in SUU territory to extend the drive. BYU 34, Southern Utah 10.
11:00 — Southern Utah found the end zone for the first time this afternoon, scoring on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Justin Miller to Isaiah Wooden. That came after a 27-yard wide receiver pass and a long run, as SUU drove 75 yards for the score to open the second half. BYU 27, Southern Utah 10.
BYU 27, Southern Utah 3
BYU overcame a sluggish start and is in charge in this one. Kedon Slovis had an early interception, but now the offense is rolling behind the quarterback, who has completed 16 of 24 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Isaac Rex (four catches, 112 yards, one touchdown) and Darius Lassiter (four catches, 61 yards, one touchdown) have been his main targets.
The Cougar defense, meanwhile, has been strong again. BYU gave up a field goal to start the game but followed that with four straight three-and-outs and an interception from Kamden Garrett.
The Brigham Young Cougars defense bring down Southern Utah Thunderbirds running back Targhee Lambson (32) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Isaiah Wooden celebrates a punt return during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds tackle Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Zack Mitchell (14) and Brigham Young Cougars safety Ethan Slade (26) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds safety Brendan Hale (28) defends Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Left to right, Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5), Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2), and Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho (61) celebrate Roberts' touchdown during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Kamden Garrett (7) celebrates an interception during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars running back Aidan Robbins misses a catch during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars running back Deion Smith (20) celebrates his touchdown at the end of the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Hobbs Nyberg (23) celebrates a block on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds punt at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds place kicker Tyler Graham (43) puts the first points on the board with a field goal against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds warm up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds warm up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Left to right, Annie Idiart helps Abby Gibbons, both freshman at Brigham Young University, apply a temporary tattoo before the game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Chris Jackson helps his son Blake apply temporary tattoos with Brigham Young University's logo before the game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Henry Hartsock, 4, lines up to high-five Brigham Young University football players before their game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars marching band performs at the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Fans high-five members of the Brigham Young Cougars football team after their 41-16 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws the ball during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young University student section cheers during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds watch from the sidelines during their football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. BYU won the game 41-16. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars safety Marcus McKenzie (32) and Brigham Young Cougars safety Crew Wakley (38) celebrate an interception during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. BYU won the game 41-16. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) catches the ball with Southern Utah Thunderbirds cornerback Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson (31) on his tail at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Ethan Bolingbroke (4) throws the ball during the football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) celebrates his touchdown during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) runs the ball on the kickoff return during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
A fire dancer performs during the Brigham Young Cougars verses Southern Utah Thunderbirds football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young University student section cheers during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars enter the field before their football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars defense brings down the Southern Utah Thunderbirds during the football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake on the sidelines during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds offensive lineman Kyle Sfarcioc (64) and Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Isaiah Wooden (8) celebrate Wooden's touchdown against Brigham Young University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars cheerleaders cheer on the field during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) passes Southern Utah Thunderbirds safety George Ramirez (11) to run the ball into the end zone for a BYU touchdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
LaVell Edwards Stadium reflects in a Brigham Young University marching band member's tuba during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds head coach DeLane Fitzgerald on the sidelines during their football game against Brigham Young University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws the ball during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds running back Braedon Wissler (21) carries the ball during the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young University plays football against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
BYU 27, Southern Utah 3
0:30 — BYU took advantage of a Kamden Garrett interception, moving the ball 70 yards in just four plays and 37 seconds to add a fourth touchdown before the half. Kedon Slovis threaded a pass between three defenders to Isaac Rex on a 65-yard catch-and-run, and Deion Smith scored his first TD as a Cougar on a 3-yard carry. BYU 27, SUU 3.
5:47 — BYU scored a touchdown on a third straight drive, this time on a 42-yard screen pass for Darius Lassiter, who weaved his way down the sideline. For Lassiter, who has four catches for 61 yards, that's his first score as a Cougar. That drive covered 78 yards on eight plays, and BYU has established control in this one. BYU 20, SUU 3.
12:36 — BYU capitalized off a short field created from a blocked punt. The Cougars drove 36 yards after the momentum-swinging play and got their second touchdown — an 8-yard pass from Kedon Slovis to Keanu Hill, who missed the season opener with an injury. True freshman LJ Martin looked good on the drive, with a 17-yard carry and a 5-yard catch. BYU 13, SUU 3.
BYU 6, Southern Utah 3
1:03 — Kedon Slovis threw his first touchdown pass as a Cougar, hitting Isaac Rex for a 20-yard touchdown. Rex's TD catch gives him 22 for his career, tying the tight end record at BYU, as the Cougars drove 85 yards for the score. BYU 6, SUU 3.
7:18 — After the Cougars' opening drive stalled, Southern Utah marched 52 yards before scoring on a 29-yard field goal from Tyler Graham to go ahead. It's the first points BYU has given up this season. SUU 3, BYU 0.
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