facebook-pixel

Costly turnovers crush BYU’s upset hopes as Oklahoma escapes Provo with a win

No. 14 Oklahoma loses QB Dillon Gabriel but holds on for a victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

  | Nov. 18, 2023, 11:16 a.m.
| Updated: 10:20 p.m.

Provo • BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff had the moment in front of him — a late fourth-quarter drive to give the Cougars a lead against No. 14 Oklahoma.

Tied at 24, with the Cougars moving the ball, BYU was looking to complete one of the more improbable wins of head coach Kalani Sitake’s tenure.

Instead, Retzlaff was hit from behind by linebacker Danny Stutsman and fumbled the ball at the 25-yard line. Three plays later, the Sooners scampered in for a 16-yard score. It would give the Sooners a lasting 31-24 lead that snatched any upset hopes away from BYU.

Overall, turnovers were the theme of the day for the Cougars. Even as Oklahoma lost quarterback Dillon Gabriel at halftime with an injury, BYU couldn’t take advantage.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) tackles Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) tackles Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Three BYU turnovers resulted in 21 Oklahoma points. The giveaways wasted a day where BYU gained over 380 yards and rushed for 200.

In the first half, Jake Retzlaff lost a fumble on an exchange with running back Aidan Robbins. It translated to an Oklahoma early touchdown.

Then with a chance to take a lead in the third quarter, driving inside the 5-yard line, Retzlaff threw a pick-six that gave the Sooners a 24-17 lead.

Still, even with the errors, BYU stayed in the game. Behind the combination of Retzlaff’s mobility and Robbins’ best game of the season, the Cougars gained over 400 yards.

Robbins rushed for 182 yards and Retzlaff accounted for 202.

Retzlaff tied the game at 24 with a 10-yard rush late in the third, making up for the pick-six. On the series after, OU missed a 28-yard field goal.

It set up the final opportunity for Retzlaff before the fumble ended any hopes of a comeback.

Headlines:

• Is BYU missing belief, continuity or talent? The Cougars have questions after getting ‘manhandled’ against Iowa State

• Kalani Sitake says Big 12 schedule has been a ‘different beast’ and BYU’s most difficult ever

• Big 12 Power Rankings: BYU stumbles with OU and Oklahoma State still lurking