Weather delays, double OT, and interceptions not enough to end Cougars' perfect season at Arizona

It was previewed as BYU’s toughest matchup of the season to this point, and the Arizona Wildcats lived up to the challenge.

BYU knew that stormy weather conditions could affect the game, but it ended up being the least chaotic thing that happened. After a 74-minute delay, BYU freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the Cougars to a suspenseful double overtime victory 33-27.

Arizona came into the game 4-1, shaping up to be the biggest test to this Cougar team with lofty ambitions.

In the second series for BYU, after both teams went three-and-out, it was an eight-play, 66-yard drive topped off by an LJ Martin 28-yard run that gave the Cougars momentum.

Because of the heavy rain, it was a LJ Martin centric game, running for 162 yards and scoring a touchdown.

Arizona has had a great pass defense this year. Bachmeier’s 75-yard touchdown bomb to Parker Kingston was the first passing touchdown Arizona has given up this season, but these downfield throws were not commonplace.

Bachmeier continued his dynamic passing game, with Kingston becoming one of his favorite targets. Kingston finished the night with 117 receiving yards setting a new career high.

Arizona answered BYU’s quick 14-0 lead with a 17-yard Noah Fifita touchdown throw to tight end Kris Hutson.

At this point, there was a torrential downpour on the stadium, lightning strikes in the near distance. The game was then delayed 74 minutes, while fans and players took cover.

BYU came out of the locker room looking stiff and restless, going scoreless in the second and third quarters.

The Cougars suffered another loss on the defensive end after captain defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa got ejected early in the second quarter for targeting. This is coming after BYU linebacker Jack Kelly was ruled out just before this game due to injury.

The Cougars defense then forced Arizona to a field goal, setting up another Bachmeier drive.

Because of the weather affecting things in the air, BYU relied heavily on LJ Martin to advance its offense. The Cougars made it to field goal range but kicker Will Ferrin, who has usually been a consistency for BYU, missed a 42-yard kick.

Arizona took over with Fifita catching fire throwing the ball. The Arizona quarterback sliced through BYU’s defense in just under two minutes, ending in a 35-yard touchdown to wide receiver Chris Hunter.

The Wildcats took a 17-14 lead into halftime, receiving the ball in the second half.

Arizona worked its way down the field with the help from BYU’s defense, which committed sloppy penalties.

BYU’s star linebacker Isaiah Glasker made a huge defensive play on 4th down intercepting the ball on the BYU 4-yard line.

The Cougars just couldn’t seem to get much going in the passing game in the second half, with Bachmeier throwing two interceptions.

Early in the fourth quarter the Wildcats put together a 10-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a Kedrick Reescano 17-yard touchdown, carving through BYU’s secondary.

BYU came back, scratching and clawing, eating away at the clock; the Cougars were finally able to get a field goal by Ferrin, cutting the Arizona lead to seven.

The Cougars come back and get the 3-and-out on the Wildcats and get the ball back with 2:55 after a 25-yard return from Parker Kingston.

In a chaotic 11-play drive highlighted by a Bachmeier quarterback keep, BYU tied it up at 24, heading to overtime.

The two teams were exhausted, with both teams relying heavily on the run game. Fifita and Bachmeier weren’t able to create any distance and both settled for field goals in the first overtime.

It was Bachmeier again, who kept the ball himself, almost every play, willing the Cougars to victory. BYU was able to get it in the end zone with a seven-yard Bachmeier touchdown run.

It was then up to BYU’s defense, which had been worn out all night to get the final stops.

BYU cornerback Evan Johnson was matched up with Arizona receiver Javin Whatley for all the marbles. Johnson followed him to the corner of the end zone and stopped the ball, out of bounds, and the Cougars won.

BYU advanced to 6-0 on the season and is already bowl-eligible.

Bachmeier looks to continue his stellar play next Saturday against Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium.