CINCINNATI — The 11th-ranked BYU football team was on the brink of securing a spot in the Big 12 championship game. They made a statement, running hard and ultimately defeating Cincinnati, 26-14, in front of a crowd of 38,034 at Nippert Stadium.
Under Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards, BYU was known for its innovative passing game. But now, they’re embracing a power-run strategy. LJ Martin shone with a career-high 222 rushing yards, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier added 46 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Cougars (10-1, 6-1 Big 12) faced a challenge, as Cincinnati pushed hard but couldn’t convert on four critical drives inside the 25-yard line. Their failure to score, particularly a late fumble recovered by linebacker Isaiah Glasker, kept BYU in control of the game.
Despite allowing Cincinnati a good amount of yardage, BYU dominated with 265 of their own 392 offensive yards coming from the ground game. They needed a win over Cincinnati, a TCU win against Houston, and Utah to beat Kansas State to clinch a championship spot. However, they missed out on a last-minute scenario that would have sealed the deal.
BYU’s next challenge is against UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12). Coach Kalani Sitake praised his team, emphasizing the importance of learning and improving for future games. They’re gearing up for a senior night, eager to build on their recent success.
Receiver Parker Kingston was a key target, making seven catches for 39 yards. Meanwhile, Chase Roberts had to leave the game early after one catch but still managed to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 37.
For Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3 Big 12), Brendan Sorsby threw for 300 yards, scoring two touchdowns. But a costly interception at a crucial moment proved pivotal.
A highlight for BYU came when Martin reached over 1,000 rushing yards for the season. His performance, along with the solid defense, ensured the victory. Cincinnati had chances but missed several field goals, hampering their efforts.
Center Bruce Mitchell noted that winning is about hard work and discipline, not just luck. This team has invested in their season, showing that preparation pays off.
As both teams move forward, the competition remains fierce. BYU’s new focus on running the ball might just be their ticket to the championship, showing that sometimes old strategies can lead to new victories.
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