Week 2 - #25 BYU (1-0) vs #9 Baylor (1-0)

In one of the biggest games hosted at LES in a long time, Kalani and his team is closer to full strength. Gunner and Holker are back, it is announced Chaz Ah You will officially redshirt for the entire 2022 season. Baylor brings in a new QB, and new RB, but has the same dominant OL as 2021. Grimes and Mateos' return is met with loud cheers and a few boos. Dozens of Utes are in the stands, a disappointing attendance after setting the bar high in previous home openers for BYU.

Early in the 1st Jaren finds Puka deep who catches it, but is clobbered by a dirty hit, targeting is called. Puka is slow to get up and misses the rest of the game. With Puka out and Gunner not at 100% BYU fans are worried about the offense. 3 plays later and BYU takes a 3-0 lead. Baylor's offense looks similar to its 2021 performance and dominates the next 3 drives, giving Baylor a 17-6 lead. Finally, BYU's defense makes a play and strip sacks Blake Shapen and returns. Batty picks it up and runs it in for a touchdown. 17-13 is the score at halftime, and after a punt/turnover riddled 3rd quarter 17-13 remains the score going into the 4th quarter.

Chris Brooks, who only has 28 yards rushing to this point, finally breaks free for a long run hurdling a defender on his way. Masen Wake approves, and hurdles Brooks in celebration. The very next play Jaren finds Keanu Hill in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. Baylor follow it up with a 3 and out, and BYU can only answer with a FG making it 23-17 with 3:30 left. In the most important defensive possession of the season, the defense looks pathetic letting Baylor dink and dunk, run up the middle, and scramble their way to the 8 yard line with 30 seconds left.

1st and goal - incomplete fade route. 2nd and goal - 4 yard run followed by a timeout. 3rd and goal with 16 seconds left - Blake Shapen can't find anyone open, eventually takes off and finds his way into the endzone. Amidst the Baylor celebrations Batty is on the ground with his jersey nearly ripped off. Holding, 10 yard penalty, replay 3rd down the ref calls, eliciting the biggest crowd reaction of the night. 3rd and 14 with only 7 seconds left Batty finds his way to Shapen and gets the game winning sack, BYU wins 23-17.

Key Numbers:
Jaren Hall 18-30 for 197 yards and 1 TD, 2 INTs. Brooks 19 carries for 72 yards. Keanu Hill with 5 receptions for 88 yards and touchdown. Baylor wins the turnover battle 3-2.

Other Notable Results from Week 2:
#1 Alabama over #14 Texas 55-27
Stanford over #16 USC 33-24
#23 Kentucky over #18 Florida 27-0