Mistakes Doom BYU in Loss to Kansas

BYU's first conference game in the Big 12 was plagued by self-inflicted mistakes. On the first offensive drive, wide receiver Parker Kingston was blown up by defensive back Cobee Bryant and fumbled the football. Bryant picked up the fumble and returned it for the touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. That moment set the tone for the rest of the game.

BYU rebounded in the first half taking a 17-14 lead into the locker room. Throughout the game, the BYU offense moved the ball purely through the air. BYU finished the day with 357 passing yards to just 9 rushing yards.

It's officially panic time for the BYU rushing attack. Through four games, BYU is one of the worst running teams in the country. That has to be fixed if BYU wants to make noise in the Big 12 this season.

On the first drive of the second half, Kedon Slovis threw a pick-six and the Jayhwaks took a 21-17 lead. They never looked back. At that point in the game, the BYU defense had only allowed 7 of the 21 points. The BYU offense responded with a 58-yard drive that resulted in a field goal to cut the lead to 21-20.

The vaunted Kansas rushing attack took over in the second half. BYU had an opportunity to get back in the game on a few occasions, but Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels had a way of getting first downs when it mattered most. The Jayhawks ran for 172 yards and 6.9 yards per carry in the second half.

BYU needed one last stop to keep the game alive. Instead, the Jayhawks marched down the field and kicked a field goal to end the game. The game ended a few minutes later and Kansas walked away with a 38-27 win.

BYU will look to rebound against Cincinnati next week in the Big 12 home opener.

Facebook - @CougsDaily

Twitter - @Cougs_Daily and Casey Lundquist at @casey_lundquist

Instagram - @cougs_daily