(Photo: Aiden Longbrake/WCSN)
PROVO, Utah — As the game clock neared four minutes to play, second-year BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier fired a pass over the middle of the field for fifth-year wide receiver Kyle Kasper.
With barely any time to react, as the pass neared its intended target, ASU fourth-year defensive back Montana Warren leaped up to try to get his hand in the way. The ball hit the pitchfork on Warren’s glove, sending it spinning away toward the way it came.
Warren reached his arms as far as he could, but his body didn’t follow. The ball landed mere inches away from the defensive back, allowing the fans in a sold-out LaVell Edwards Stadium to let out a collective sigh of relief. Had Warren intercepted the pass, his Sun Devils could have gained possession and an opportunity to take the lead against No. 8 BYU (8-1, 4-1 Big 12).
Despite a 17-3 halftime deficit, a strong second-half performance had ASU (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) feeling like it was within reach of an upset in Provo. But much like the ball on Warren’s near-interception, the Sun Devils’ upset hopes fell just out of reach, losing 27-20 to the Cougars.
“Really good response by our guys,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “But they don’t give out participation trophies.”
The contest began like most would expect between a top-10 team and an opponent desperately toiling to stay above .500, with a quarterback making his first collegiate start: disaster.
On his first dropback of the game, first-year quarterback Jake Fette surveyed the field, ready to attempt only the ninth pass of his young Sun Devil career. Unbeknownst to him, his right tackle, fifth-year Jalen Klemm, was beat around the edge by second-year BYU defensive end Nusi Taumoepeau.
It didn’t take long for Fette to find out.
Taumoepeau hit Fette as the ball was coming out of his hands, forcing a fumble that his teammate, Isaiah Glasker, would then recover.
Not the ideal beginning for the young quarterback’s starting debut.
“He just held it too long,” Dillingham said.
The play call that soon led to disaster was meant for Fette to decide between handing the ball off, or throwing it — known as an RPO (run-pass option). He pulled the ball out of first-year running back Cardae Mack’s chest, eyeing his receivers downfield.
Though, Fette and his offensive line were not on the same page.
Fette was looking to pass; his blockers were expecting a run. The single miscommunication led to a hasty turnover and an early 7-0 lead for BYU.
More protection issues ensued. Fette was sacked six times in the first half alone. Fette’s body thumping against LaVell Edward Stadium’s Kentucky bluegrass became a familiar sight for viewers.
ASU entered the locker room down two touchdowns, but was able to keep high spirits through the break and into the third quarter.
“Play your game, one play at a time,” Fette said he was told at halftime. “We’re (down) 14 points with the eighth-ranked team in the country. So just keep doing your thing, and our plays will come.”
The Sun Devils didn’t have to wait long for their plays to come.
After ASU’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, Fette led a decisive drive down the field, capping the series with a 20-yard touchdown pass to fourth-year wide receiver Omarion Miller.
The following drives looked like two recipes from the same cookbook.
ASU forced a BYU three-and-out, and Jake Fette led the Sun Devils down the field for a score.
Fourth-year tight end Anthony Miller leaked out to the right, where Fette found the Tulane transfer wide open in the end zone to tie the game at 17. Primarily used as a blocker in the run game, Miller’s first touchdown as a Sun Devil could not have come at a more opportune time.
BYU followed by marching down the field and taking the lead with a 45-yard field goal from fourth-year kicker Matthias Dunn.
Down by three, the ensuing drive was Fette’s chance to make a statement against the No. 8 team in the nation, only three appearances into his Sun Devil career.
A day full of explosive Sun Devil plays suggested offensive playcaller Marcus Arroyo would dial up some deep shots to get ASU in range to tie or potentially take the lead. But Arroyo only called for one long-range pass the entire series. Short passes and stagnant run plays stalled the Sun Devils at their own 49.
Typically an aggressive decision maker, Dillingham called for the punt team on fourth-and-4 with eight minutes left in the game.
Fourth-year punter Nick McLarty booted the ball high in the thin Utah air, pinning the Cougars deep in their own territory. Starting from its own five-yard line, BYU had 95 yards to go to put the game out of reach.
Relying at first on Bachmeier’s legs to get the Cougars out of potential safety territory, the drive blew open when first-year wide receiver, well, blew open.
Glasker streaked down the field, outrunning fourth-year cornerback Ashton Stamps, connecting with his quarterback for a 53-yard gain. From there, BYU only needed five plays to reach paydirt, putting itself up 27-17.
ASU was able to drive down and cut the deficit to seven with a 44-yard field goal attempt, but an unsuccessful onside kick attempt gave BYU the ball back with the power to kneel the game out.
The contest may not have gone the way the Sun Devils hoped, but with Fette’s 166 pass yards and 2-0 touchdown-interception ratio, paired with Mack’s 123 rush yards, it seems as though ASU’s future may look brighter than its present. The result ASU is looking for is now closer within its reach. Mack put it best for what he feels is to come for the Sun Devils.
“The sky’s the limit.”
