Provo • BYU coach Kalani Sitake wanted a little less drama. He told his group that it would be OK if the Cougars didn’t need another last-second touchdown or any late-game histrionics.
Turns out, BYU just can’t avoid close games.
And this time it finally came back to bite them.
The No. 6 Cougars lost for the first time this season, dropping a 17-13 decision to the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars are now 9-1 and will now have a critical Big 12 title race meeting at Arizona State next week.
The Cougars found themselves in familiar territory in the fourth quarter: trailing due to improbable circumstances.
Up 13-10, BYU’s defense came up with the stop to take control of the game. But Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels' pooch punt hit off cornerback Evan Johnson and was recovered by the Jayhawks at the 3-yard line. Kansas punched it in for a touchdown.
Down 17-13, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff looked to put together another game-winning drive. But after getting deep into Kansas territory, Retzlaff’s fourth-down pass to Chase Roberts came up short of the sticks for a turnover on downs.
BYU had its chances to put some distance between the Jayhawks earlier. At the end of the first half, Retzlaff had BYU inside the 5-yard line with 39 seconds left. The Cougars had two timeouts. But inside of running the ball, the offense opted for a fade route that was intercepted in the end zone.
Then out of the second half, BYU opened with a 10-minute drive. It ran 17 plays and went inside the red zone. But again it was turned away and only ended in a field goal.
Instead of swinging the game open with a 14-point lead, BYU only led 13-10 with under 20 minutes to play.
Retzlaff finished 18-of-28 for 192 yards with a touchdown and interception. LJ Martin added 76 yards on 15 carries.
Kansas running back Devin Neal rushed for 52 yards and two scores. Daniels had 169 passing yards and an interception for the Jayhawks.
