Football

Season Review

BYU achieved the highs of victories over storied programs and nationally ranked teams in 2019 while also experiencing the lows of tough losses during a 7-6 campaign that culminated at the SoFi Hawai’i Bowl.

For only the second time in program history, BYU played eight opponents that achieved eight or more victories, including four teams with 10 or more wins, something a Cougar team had only done on two previous occasions. Wins over nationally ranked USC and Boise State and a road triumph at Tennessee helped BYU tie for No. 7 nationally for the most wins over teams with winning records.

BYU utilized valuable contributions from key senior leaders while relying on the talents of many of its younger players to navigate a strong schedule that featured four ranked teams and 10 of 12 FBS opponents that would earn bowl eligibility.

Highlighted by victories over No. 14 Boise State and No. 24 USC, the Cougars achieved five regular-season victories over teams with a winning record in 2019. Only national champion LSU, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Boise State and Oregon had more victories over winning teams.

The Cougars started the season as the only program to play three ranked teams and four Power 5 opponents in their first four games. Three BYU opponents finished the season ranked in the College Football Playoff final rankings—No. 11 Utah, No. 19 Boise State and No. 22 USC. BYU earned a 2-1 record in those games with its wins over the Broncos and Trojans.

After a 30-12 loss to No. 14 Utah in the opener, BYU claimed dramatic overtime wins the next two weeks against two historic college football programs.

A 29-26 double-overtime triumph at Tennessee came against the SEC East Division’s third-place team that finished at 8-5 overall as the Gator Bowl Champions. More than 92,000 fans welcomed the Cougars to Rocky Top and witnessed the late-game heroics that propelled BYU to the memorable victory.

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BYU’s successful first-ever visit to historic Neyland Stadium was followed the next week with another big win in LaVell Edwards Stadium over USC. Sealed with a diving interception by senior defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku, the Cougars delivered a strong overall performance to earn a 30-27 overtime win that inspired Cougar fans to rush the field in celebration. BYU’s victory over USC marked the first win in program history against the storied Pac-12 program from Los Angeles.

Following the strong start, the Cougars endured a three-game losing streak that started at home against No. 21 Washington (45-19) before road setbacks at Toledo (28-21) and South Florida (27-23). During that stretch injuries started to play a significant role as the team’s top running back senior Ty’Son Williams went down for the season with a knee injury against Washington and starting sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson followed with a thumb injury at Toledo that sidelined him the next four games.

While freshman backup quarterback Jaren Hall performed well in Wilson’s absence, he couldn’t stay on the field for a complete game after being injured first at USF and later at Utah State. Third-stringer Baylor Romney also proved ready when his number was called. The freshman led BYU to home wins as the starter over undefeated Boise State and eventual 8-5 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl Champion Liberty, while also delivering a strong second-half performance in place of the injured Hall at rival Utah State to reclaim the Old Wagon Wheel after a two-year hiatus.

BYU’s impressive win over Boise State ruined the Broncos’ otherwise perfect regular season on their way to the Mountain West title at 12-1 and marked the first time in BYU history the Cougars have defeated a 12-win team. The victory also stopped BYU’s three-game skid and starting a five-game winning streak.

Following wins over the Broncos (28-25), Aggies (42-14) and Flames (31-24), Wilson returned to action to lead BYU to a 42-10 home victory over Idaho State and a 56-24 road win at UMass. The string of wins ended in a 13-3 defeat at San Diego State in the regular-season finale against an Aztec team that would go on to dominate the New Mexico Bowl to finish the year 10-3 overall.

Seven wins in the regular season earned the Cougars their 14th bowl invitation in the last 15 years. The Christmas Eve date with hometown favorite Hawai’i in the SoFi Hawai’i Bowl ended up rated No. 4 in CBS and USA Today’s bowl game rankings but the Cougars came up on the wrong end of a wild 38-34 affair. Both teams combined for 1,000 yards of total offense but a late Rainbow Warrior touchdown with just over a minute to go gave Hawai'i the final advantage. Hawai’i was the fourth team BYU faced in 2019 that achieved 10 or more victories on the season.

On offense, the Cougars finished the season ranked No. 26 in passing offense (284.7 yards per game) starting three different quarterbacks. Junior tight end Matt Bushman was a key target, becoming just the third tight end in BYU history to put together three consecutive seasons of 500 or more receiving yards, joining consensus All-Americans Gordon Hudson and Dennis Pitta.
The Cougar defense specialized in takeaways in 2019, finishing the season ranked No. 13 in interceptions with 15 and ranked No. 23 in turnovers gained overall with 22. BYU also finished the season with high marks in limiting big plays, allowing just 46 plays of 20 yards or more, the same mark as Alabama, to rank No. 17 in the country.

On special teams the return game took a step forward in 2019, highlighted by Aleva Hifo as a punt returner averaging 15.9 yards per return to rank No. 5 nationally. His 18.5 yards per game also ranked No. 12 nationally and consistently helped set up BYU with good field position. As a group, the Cougars ranked No. 14 at 13.48 yards per punt return. The group’s 21.8 yards per game also ranked No. 10.