Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s 18-15 win over SMU

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between BYU and SMU. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

BYU 18, SMU 15

Take a bow, BYU defense.

Jay Hill’s unit held SMU to just 261 total yards and no touchdowns in a dramatic 18-15 Cougars win Friday night in Dallas.

BYU overcame three Jake Retzlaff turnovers and a 15.3% third down mark to upset the heavily favored Mustangs on their home turf, earning a 2-0 start for the fifth straight season.

Retzlaff finished the night 15 of 28 in passing for 202 yards and a touchdown, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble as well. He connected with 10 different receivers and rushed for 35 yards on 10 carries.

The Cougars scored on all three of their red zone tries and converted two crucial fourth down tries in the second half that could have possibly given SMU the win had they failed.

Harrison Taggart, Blake Mangelson and Jack Kelly led BYU’s inspired defensive effort, as the Cougars racked up three sacks, eight tackles for loss, forced three red zone turnovers and held the Mustangs to an average of just 3.6 yards per play.

Fourth quarter

1:58 — Will Ferrin puts the Cougars ahead by three points with a 26-yard field goal. BYU 18, SMU 15.

BYU’s newfound lead came largely thanks to Miles Davis, who took an option pitch for 37 yards on another gutsy fourth-and-one call.

The Cougar defense now faces its ultimate challenge of the night: spoiling SMU’s two minute drill for the win.

6:17 — It’s getting dramatic in Dallas.

Collin Rogers’ fifth field goal ties the contest at 15 points apiece. BYU 15, SMU 15.

11:30 — How many turnovers can these teams keep trading?

Right after Jake Retzlaff’s latest interception put SMU at the BYU three-yard line, Harrison Taggart forced a Mustangs fumble to give the Cougars possession once again upon Jakob Robinson’s recovery.

12:35 — Another turnover for Jake Retzlaff.

The BYU quarterback coughed up his third giveaway of the night on an errant throwaway pass that ended up in the hands of SMU defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte, who returned the interception to the Cougars’ 3-yard line.

13:58 — Marque Collins to the rescue.

With SMU on the move following BYU’s go-ahead touchdown, the Weber State transfer cornerback leapt for a clutch interception to give the Cougars the ball back at their own 5-yard line.

Collins snagged five picks during his time as a Wildcat, and his first such play at BYU could not have come at a better time.

Third quarter

BYU 15, SMU 12

1:15 — BYU took a gamble and won big.

On a fourth-and-two situation on the 9-yard line, Enoch Nawahine found plenty of open space ahead and darted into the end zone to put the Cougars ahead once again. BYU 15, SMU 12.

Keanu Hill followed Nawahine’s first career touchdown with a bobbling grab for a successful two-point conversion to give BYU a slightly more comfortable cushion over the Mustangs.

Jake Retzlaff led the Cougars for 61 yards the seven-play drive, running three times for 20 yards and executing a perfect trick play which netted his offense another 26 yards.

Nawahine’s score was BYU’s first since first quarter following 12 unanswered SMU points.

9:28 — Collin Rogers is putting SMU on his back.

The talented kicker added a fourth field goal to his tally to further augment the Mustangs’ lead. SMU 12, BYU 7.

SMU drove to the Cougars’ 11-yard line before BYU tightened up defensively and forced the field goal try.

13:41 — Jake Retzlaff’s night just got a lot worse.

Attempting to throw the football away to avoid a sack, Retzlaff’s pass was picked off by Kobe Wilson and returned 34 yards to the Cougars’ 35-yard line.

The interception and subsequent return came on the first play following a 57-yard catch and run from Darius Lassiter that had brought BYU deep into SMU territory.

Halftime

SMU 9, BYU 7

It’s safe to say that BYU misses LJ Martin.

Since the sophomore running back left with an injury toward the end of the first quarter, the Cougars have averaged less than 2.5 yards per play and failed to find the scoreboard.

Additionally, Jake Retzlaff has appeared flustered by SMU throughout the contest, finishing the half 7 of 15 in passing with a streak of five straight incompletions following his touchdown pass to Mata’ava Ta’ase.

The Mustangs have out-gained BYU 145 yards to 125, scoring nine unanswered points by kicking field goals on three of their final four drives of the half.

The Cougars’ defense, however, does have three sacks thus far and has forced three separate three-and-out punts and another turnover on downs, but BYU’s offensive struggles have left its defenders on the field for longer than desired as SMU held possession for just under 17 minutes.

BYU will receive the second half kickoff in an attempt to reclaim the lead.

Second quarter

SMU 9, BYU 7

0:00 — A missed 55-yard field goal by Will Ferrin brings the half to a close with the Cougars still trailing. SMU 9, BYU 7.

0:42 — Collin Rogers remains perfect.

SMU’s kicker netted his third field goal of the game to put the Mustangs ahead for the first time. SMU 9, BYU 7.

6:03 — The Mustangs are slowly inching back into this game.

Collin Rogers drilled another long field goal — from 52 yards this time — to cut SMU’s deficit to just one point. BYU 7, SMU 6.

13:06 — A 53-yard Collin Rogers field goal has put SMU on the scoreboard. BYU 7, SMU 3.

The Mustangs have replaced Preston Stone at quarterback with Kevin Jennings, who has now led his unit to 88 total yards over two drives thus far — a far cry from the 18 yards lost with Stone under center.

First quarter

BYU 7, SMU 0

7:16 — Another week, another touchdown for Mata’ava Ta’ase.

The Cougars tight end made a leaping grab to haul in a Jake Retzlaff strike from 16 yards out and give BYU an early lead. BYU 7, SMU 0.

The touchdown capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive that featured crucial runs for LJ Martin and receptions from Kody Epps and Keelan Marion.

Ta’ase now has two catches on the season, both coming in the end zone for scores.

10:39 — Jay Hill’s defense came to play tonight.

BYU has smothered the Mustangs right out of the gate, immediately forcing three-and-out punts on SMU’s first two possessions. BYU 0, SMU 0.

The Cougars’ pressure has been impressive, with Jack Kelly and Blake Mangelson both getting sacks and a number of other BYU defenders distressing Mustangs QB Preston Stone.

In six total plays thus far tonight, SMU has lost 18 total yards.

11:46 — Tough start for Jake Retzlaff.

Botched execution on an option play led to BYU’s quarterback fumbling away the football on the Cougars’ fourth play of the game. BYU 0, SMU 0.

The untimely turnover came immediately following a third down conversion from Retzlaff to freshman tight end Ryner Swanson for his first career reception.

Upon recovering the loose ball, SMU took over on the BYU 43-yard line.

How to watch the game

BYU’s road clash with SMU will be televised on ESPN2 and can also be streamed on ESPN.com/watch .

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against SMU.