Cincinnati Bearcats vs BYU Cougars Odds

On tYU’s first offensive play from scrimmage, freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum was sacked for a huge loss. Kemp also led a long scoring drive to open the fourth quarter. The Cougars will need to find a way to slow the Bearcats down while still putting up a lot of points.

BYU held a 38-21 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Pirates scored 17 straight points to tie the game at 38-38 with 4:01 remaining on a 34-yard field goal by Davis Plowman.

Shortly thereafter, East Carolina’s Trevian Hicks blocked a BYU punt and Yiannis Bowden scooped up a loose ball for another touchdown.

And then the coaching adjustments began.

Tanner Mangum connected with Algernon Brown on a 22-yard touchdown route to cut ECU’s lead to 14-7. The defense forced a 3 and out and a blocked punt recovered by Trey Dye on the 1-yard line. They Cougars don’t do anything particularly incredible on offense, they have a habit of staying in games.

Three double-digit yard receptions led the Cougars down the field in their next possession. Algie Brown ripped off a 53-yard touchdown run and everything seemed to be rolling for the Cougars.

The game also pits BYU’s No. 96-gradeed offense, averaging 24.2 PPG, against an East Carolina defense that ranks No. 90 this week at 29.4 PPG.

Passing Game: Blake Kemp (146-204/1,478/10TD) has the arm to be an excellent passer and generally does an excellent job. The defense bailed themselves out multiple times with turnovers, two fumble recoveries, and an interception by Fred Warner.

Quarterback Tanner Mangum left the game during the fourth quarter after hobbling following a run but returned on BYU’s final drive.

“Beau [Hoge] will be with our offense the entire week, however, just in case and getting as grooved in and as many reps as he possibly can around whatever Tanner gets, to make sure they are both ready”, Mendenhall said. East Carolina took advantage of the lack of offense by tying up the game.

BYU football will host Cincinnati in its second Friday game of the year this week. It was a fun homecoming game in front of a great crowd. Starting two weeks ago against UConn, BYU has recorded back-to-back games of 150 or more rush yards and 300 or more passing yards for the first time since 2013, and just the third time in Bronco Mendenhall era. Devon Blackmon continued with his great season with 9 catches and 142 yards. Last week, offensive lineman Ului Lapuaho went down with a leg injury and did not return to the game. Mangum completed 24 of 33 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns to beat East Carolina last week.

The Cougars are taking on Cincinnati for the first time in program history.