Second quarter

BYU responded to the Baylor touchdown by converting two crucial third-down plays and extending a 10-play, 85-yard scoring drive early in the second quarter.

The Cougars were facing 3rd-and-9 from their own 16 when Retzlaff found Roberts in the middle of the field for a chain-moving reception. On 3rd-and-5 from their own 31 minutes, BYU moved the sticks again as Retzlaff connected with Lassiter for a lead of nine. Retzlaff put the Cougars within striking distance by dodging the pressure and checking to Haunga, who made the defenders miss and gained nine more yards.

Three plays later, BYU extended its lead when Retzlaff dropped back and fired a laser shot to Lassiter on a 44-yard touchdown pass. The Cougars’ lead was 28-7 with 9:32 minutes left before halftime.

Midway through the quarter, the BYU defense held the Bears in check with a pass breakup by Marque Collins and a sack for an 11-yard loss from safety Crew Wakley, who rushed off the edge.

Baylor forced a three-and-out and engineered a seven-play, 57-yard touchdown drive to cut BYU’s lead to 28-14 with 3:27 to go before halftime.

The Cougars weren’t done scoring and moved into plus territory, with Retzlaff finding Lassiter and Roberts for completions of 14 and 10 yards, respectively. A 14-yard throw from Retzlaff set BYU up for a field goal, and Will Ferrin responded with a career-winning 54-yarder that gave BYU a 31-14 lead with 30 seconds left in the half.

The Cougars maintained the halftime lead 31-14 after Baylor missed a 50-yard field goal attempt.

Third quarter

Tyler Batty started the half strong for the Cougar defense with a sack that resulted in a six-yard loss on the first play of the half, but Baylor recovered from the interference and capped a 13-play, 66-yard drive with a touchdown. With that score, the Bears had cut BYU’s lead to 31-21 with 8:44 left in the third period.

The Cougars’ ensuing drive appeared to stall at their own 35-yard line when punter Sam Vander Haar moved the sticks on a 22-yard fake punt run. Lassiter threw two more passes of 10 and 9 yards, setting up a 37-yard field goal by Ferrin. The made field goal gave BYU a 34-21 lead with 3:33 left in the quarter.

A trio of scoreless drives ended the period and the Cougars maintained their 13-point lead.