Live updates on BYU’s season opener against Arizona Wildcats
(David Becker | AP) BYU quarterback Jaren Hall warms up before the NCAA college football game against Arizona on Saturday, September 4, 2021 in Las Vegas.
BYU cougars open their season tonight against Arizona wildcats.
Follow the news live throughout the night.
Arizona reduces the distance
Does the momentum change?
After facing Lopini Katoa for safety, the Wildcats got a great comeback to set up a 29-yard touchdown from Gunner Cruz to BJ Casteel. The two quick scores brought the game to 21-13 at the end of the third quarter.
Jaren Hall throws for her second touchdown of the night
Jaren Hall remains impressive in her third start of her career. BYU quarterback has just connected with wide receiver Neil Pau’u for his second touchdown of the match. The scoreboard was set by a 39-yard Hall goalkeeper.
“The guy is a great player,” BYU former QB star Zach Wilson said of Hall during an interview with ESPN. “It simply came to our notice then. He has all the tools, so he will keep doing his things. I’m excited to see where he takes it. “
BYU leads 21-3 with 7:28 to play in the third quarter.
Zach Wilson is at home
The New York Jets do not open the season until Sept. 12.
Thus, former BYU quarterback and Jets rookie Zach Wilson is in Las Vegas for tonight’s game. General election number 2 has been seen on the sidelines, the jumbotron and mingling with city fans.
“It’s crazy how quickly it happened last year,” Wilson told ESPN. “It simply came to our notice then. Just talking to some of the guys, it looks like we were playing. It’s crazy that I’m doing my stuff now and I’m no longer part of it. It’s great to come back and see how they are doing and how they are catching up. “
Midfield: BYU 14, Arizona 3
BYU’s Keenan Pili hit Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz for an 8-yard sack that helped force the Wildcats to settle for a field goal in the final seconds of the first half.
Pili had 11 cuts in the first half. His previous maximum career in a match was new.
A long touchdown for Neil Pau’u from BYU
The best player on the BYU fault field? It could have been wide receiver Neil Pau’u.
So far tonight has been quarterback Jaren Hall’s favorite target. Pau’u got a 67-yard pass and a 2:06 mark to play in the first half.
After Lopini Katoa turned in the end zone to achieve a successful 2-point conversion, the Cougars led 14-0.
So far Pau’u has five catches from 106 yards and one touchdown.
BYU 6, Arizona 0
(David Becker | AP) BYU runner Tyler Allgeier, left, celebrates with an offensive tackle James Empey after scoring a touchdown against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, 4 September 2021, in Las Vegas.
Runner Tyler Allgeier gives BYU his first touchdown of the season. After a 22-yard gain from great receiver Neil Pau’u and a tricky play helped put the Cougars in the red zone, Allgeier broke a 15-yard run, jumping into the end zone untouched.
After a failed extra point, the Cougars led 6-0 with 9:17 to play in the second quarter.
BYU’s Keenan Ellis is injured
(David Becker | AP) BYU defensive back Keenan Ellis is reacting to an apparent injury after defending himself against Arizona runner Michael Wiley during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Las Vegas.
By the time it happened, it was clear he was wrong.
BYU defensive back Keenan Ellis was removed from the field of play in the middle of the first quarter of the Cougars ‘first season against Arizona at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
Ellis was behind Michael Willie, who couldn’t catch the pass from Gunner Cruz. However, when Ellis collided with Willie’s bottom, the head of the defensive back visibly retreated.
As the game started to slip away for coach, the manager decided to change the tactical approach.
The Cougars gathered nearby and went to pray, but eventually players, coaches, and even athletic director Tom Holmoe surrounded Ellis before they took him away, visibly writhing in pain.
The ESPN broadcast later reported that Ellis had been transferred to the trauma center at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
Ellis was not the first cougar to enter the match, nor was he the last.
Before the match, the defender Uriah Leiataua fell with what appeared to be an arm injury. However, he later returned to action
Shortly after Ellis ’injury, great goalkeeper Gunner Romney fell with a leg injury. Romney was hit from behind as Arizona defenders stopped Tyler Allgeier and caught his leg. Romney was later seen on the sidelines on crutches and appeared to be finished at night.
A home game in Sin City?
With more than 50,000 fans planned at the Allegiant Stadium, it looks like there will be a lot more BYU blue than ‘Blue Zone’ tonight in Las Vegas.