Austin, Texas • BYU had the ball on the two-yard line as the clock drained in the first half.
It was fourth-and-goal with the Cougars only down 14 points. Punch it in and BYU could make things interesting.
But after a timeout, head coach Kalani Sitake elected to kick a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Texas went 75 yards in six plays. It ended with Longhorns quarterback Maalik Murphy throwing a 30-yard touchdown for a 21-3 Texas lead.
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws under pressure from Texas defensive end Barryn Sorrell (88) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
It would never be a game from there in a 35-6 Texas win.
BYU finished the first half with 113 yards and only inched past 270 yards the entire day. Quarterback Kedon Slovis ended 25-of-40 for 197 yards and two interceptions.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, left, argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
BYU went three-and-out five times. The Cougars’ defense forced two turnovers and two fourth-and-goal stops. But the offense only put together four drives of over four plays.
Murphy was inconsistent in his first college start, going 16-of-25 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. But BYU couldn’t find an answer to running back Jonathan Brooks. He had 138 total yards and a touchdown.