WACO, Texas, Sept. 28, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — No. 22 BYU built a big lead early and came up with a clutch interception late to escape with a 34-28 victory over Baylor on Saturday afternoon.
Junior safety Crew Wakley picked off Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson along the sideline at McLane Stadium in the game’s final minute to help the Cougars improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 Conference play. It was the first Big 12 road win for BYU, which went 0-5 in conference games away from Provo last season.
“I was proud of the team and proud of the way their response to adversity within the game,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said after the game. “[The team’s] willingness to stick together, that was something special and speaks to the leadership on our team and the coaches on our team to get these guys ready. I give a lot of credit to Baylor making it interesting at the end. They could have easily folded up, especially at the beginning, but you have to give them credit for being resilient.”
BYU built a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and held a 31-14 advantage at halftime. The Cougars scored on five of their six first-half possessions — four touchdowns and a field goal — but managed just one field goal after the break.
Wakley and senior defensive tackle Blake Mangelson each collected four solo tackles and an interception to lead the BYU defense. Wakley, a former Jordan High School standout, also sacked Robertson in the road victory.
BYU forced six pass breakups, including two from senior defensive end Logan Lutui at the line of scrimmage. Fellow senior DE Tyler Batty and junior DT John Taumoepeau also recorded sacks.
Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff completed 17 of 31 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, along with a pair of interceptions. The junior signal-caller also led BYU with 53 rushing yards on six carries, including his first rushing TD of the season. Junior running back Enoch Nawahine added 51 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Retzlaff’s favorite target against the Bears was senior wide receiver Darius Lassiter, who finished with eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
