SALT LAKE CITY — In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, Jake Retzlaff showcased his talents by leading the 19th-ranked BYU Cougars to a 30-18 win against Houston. Retzlaff not only ran for two touchdowns but also threw for 167 yards, marking a significant contribution to his team’s performance. Alongside him, running back LJ Martin added 87 rushing yards, and wide receiver Chase Roberts recorded three receptions for 76 yards, helping BYU secure their 10th victory of the season.
Despite this win, BYU’s hopes of participating in the conference championship game were dashed as they weren’t among the top teams qualifying for it. Instead, Iowa State and Arizona State will face off in the Big 12 Championship Game scheduled for Saturday. On the other hand, Houston ended the season with a disappointing record of 4-8, including three consecutive losses. Zeon Chriss put in a notable effort for Houston, throwing for 156 yards and rushing for two touchdowns.
The game saw Houston breaking a three-game touchdown drought with Chriss managing a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. However, BYU quickly responded when Talan Alfrey recovered an onside kick and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown, leveling the score. BYU then took a lead of 14-10 in the second quarter with Sione Moa scoring on a 6-yard run. Retzlaff later connected on a 52-yard pass to Roberts before capping off a scoring drive with a 13-yard run, pushing the lead to 21-10 right before halftime.
Houston made a comeback attempt, as Chriss had another short touchdown run, bringing the score to 24-18 in the fourth quarter. The Cougars found themselves in a tense situation after being forced into a three-and-out. Nevertheless, a critical moment arrived when BYU’s Jack Kelly forced a fumble from Chriss during a sack, allowing Blake Mangelson to recover at the Houston 18-yard line. Retzlaff closed out the game decisively with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, securing the win for BYU as tensions flared in the end zone, leading to ejections of Houston’s AJ Haulcy and BYU’s Darius Lassiter after a skirmish.
Reflections on the game highlight that while Houston began with promise, their offense faltered significantly, failing to maintain momentum or protect the ball effectively. BYU, though victorious, experienced an unusual struggle with turnovers, including three fumbles, which allowed Houston to remain in contention until the latter stages of the contest.
With this win, BYU is expected to climb a spot or two in the upcoming college football rankings. As their regular season concludes, BYU now awaits the announcement of their bowl game destination, while Houston wraps up their season.
