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BYU just can’t shake the midseason injury virus.
For the second game in a row, the Cougars were without multiple starters when they faced Utah State on Friday night at Maverik Stadium.
This time it was on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback Jaren Hall, tight end Masen Wake and a pair of starting offensive linemen – center James Empey and right tackle Harris LaChance – did not play due to injury. Hall was injured in the dying moments of BYU’s 27-17 win over Arizona State, and Wake and the linemen were injured in last week’s 35-27 win over South Florida.
Connor Pay, Joe Tukuafu, and Campbell Barrington started off as linemen.
Hall, who has played well in the first three games, “wants to play, but we have to be smart and protect him,” Sitake said ahead of the game via KSL radio.
Meanwhile, the Cougars have recovered a few injured defensive starters who didn’t play last week: defensive end Tyler Batty, nose tackle Atunaisa Mahe and cornerback Isaiah Herron.
Kicker Jake Oldroyd also returned to the starting lineup after missing three of the first four games.
It was a game time decision with a sick back.
What a catch
BYU safety Malik Moore recorded his fourth career interception on USU’s first possession, hooking up a pass from Logan Bonner to Deven Thompkins. The USU receiver momentarily broke free of the defending cornerback, but Moore was there for the one-handed pick.
Washington transfer Puka Nacua caught a 42-yard pass from Romney in BYU’s first scrum play (after a sack was canceled by an offside penalty) and two plays later, Tyler Allgeier scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to put the Cougars on the board.
Briefly
A minute of silence was observed before the game to mark the death of University of Utah defensive back Aaron Lowe, who was assassinated early Sunday morning in Salt Lake City. … The BYU alumni flags were carried by wide receiver Brent Nyberg, offensive lineman Mike Keim and defensive lineman Hyrum Summers. All three have sons in the current team. BYU players Cade Parrish and Hayden Livingston took out the other flags. … It was 68 degrees in Logan at kickoff.
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