No. 8 BYU Beats Arizona State 27-20, Stays Unbeaten at Home

Q: What halftime adjustments changed everything as No. 8 BYU and Arizona State entered the fourth quarter tied 17-17?

Arizona State changed the game by finding balance and tempo on offense, while BYU initially failed to answer after the break. After trailing by 14 at halftime, the Sun Devils came out with a much more effective second-half plan built around Cardae Mack’s running and simpler, quicker decisions for freshman quarterback Jake Fette. Mack’s production on the ground steadied the offense, and Fette capitalized by throwing touchdown passes on Arizona State’s first two possessions of the half. That combination erased the deficit quickly and shifted momentum. Just as important, BYU’s offense opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-and-outs. Those empty possessions gave Arizona State favorable rhythm and field position, allowing the Sun Devils to control the pace and keep pressure on the Cougars’ defense. The broader reporting also suggests the tactical picture was more nuanced than the score alone. BYU’s defense, coordinated by Kelly Poppinga, later responded by increasing pressure and using more aggressive blitz looks to disrupt Fette, which helped the Cougars eventually regain control. On offense, coordinator Aaron Roderick was credited with improving the play-calling as the game moved deeper into the second half. So the halftime swing that produced the 17-17 tie was driven mainly by Arizona State leaning into Mack’s rushing threat, giving Fette cleaner opportunities in the passing game, and BYU’s offense stalling badly out of the locker room.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 1

BYU closed on a 10-0 run after Arizona State tied it at 17, beating the Sun Devils 27-20 in Provo.
Bear Bachmeier threw for 236 yards and a touchdown, while a 45-yard field goal put the Cougars ahead for good before Sione Moa’s 1-yard score with just over two minutes left.
Arizona State erased a 14-point deficit behind first-time starter Jake Fette, who threw two third-quarter touchdown passes and finished with 166 yards and two scores.
Turnovers shaped the game early: Isaiah Glasker recovered Fette’s opening-drive fumble to set up BYU’s first touchdown, and Moa later turned Bachmeier’s fumble near the goal line into another score.
The win keeps BYU perfect at home heading into next week’s rivalry trip to Utah, while Arizona State absorbed its third road loss to a top-10 opponent this season.