The Deseret News will broadcast Saturday’s game between BYU and Houston live. Keep checking for updates as you play.

Halftime

BYU 21, Houston 10

What a crazy half of football.

Two defensive linemen had a 52-yard fumble return and an interception. An onside kick was returned untouched for a touchdown. BYU’s fumbling offense somehow came alive in the final minute with an 80-yard touchdown drive.

You have to give the Cougars credit. They may be out of the Big 12 Championship, but they’re still trying to keep things interesting.

Jake Retzlaff went 6-12 for 110 yards before halftime, adding another 40 yards and a score on the ground. BYU has accumulated 235 yards of offense as a team, an average of 7.6 yards per play.

Tyler Batty grabbed an interception, Isaiah Glasker got a sack and Tanner Wall has been flying all over the place for nine tackles.

Houston enters the second half trailing by 11 points after totaling 182 yards in the first 30 minutes of play.

Second quarter

BYU 21, Houston 10

0:09 – BYU comes back to life just before halftime.

Jake Retzlaff orchestrated a six-play, 50-second, 80-yard drive that culminated with his own rushing touchdown to give his Cougars a two-score lead. BYU 21, Houston 10.

Retzlaff’s touchdown came after a 13-yard dash that was preceded by a 52-yard strike by Chase Roberts two plays earlier.

7:55 — Sione I Moa is back in business.

BYU’s freshman running back reached the end zone for the first time in more than two months and capped a 73-yard scoring drive that put his team back in the lead. BYU 14, Houston 10.

The Cougars in blue have now accumulated 138 total yards on the night, averaging 6.4 yards per carry on the ground.

11:48 – Houston takes the lead again with a 26-yard field goal. Houston 10, BYU 7.

First quarter

BYU 7, Houston 7

1:40 — Redemption is a beautiful thing.

Last week at Arizona State, Talan Alfrey parried an onside kick that led to a Sun Devils recovery. Tonight, Alfrey calmly collected a Houston Squib attempt and ran it back 58 yards for a game-winning return touchdown. BYU 7, Houston 7.

BYU has now returned three kicks for touchdowns in 2024 – two by Keelan Marion and one by Alfrey.

1:47 – Houston loses first blood in Cougars battle.

Quarterback Zeon Chriss found the end zone of a short keeper, capping a 10-play, 80-yard drive for the guests in red. Houston 7, BYU 0.

8:57 – The Cougars hit back with a defensive takeaway of their own.

Houston’s own reverse attempt was quickly repelled and ended in an interception by BYU defensive back Tyler Batty, who ran 14 yards to his own 37-yard line before being brought down. BYU 0, Houston 0.

BYU has now recorded an interception in every game this season, with 11 different Cougars intercepting a total of 19 passes.

9:48 – And just like that, BYU scores perhaps its most unique turnover of the season.

Houston immediately failed on a reverse play attempt, with defensive tackle Carlos Allen snatching the loose fumble out of the air and returning it 57 yards to the Cougars’ 14-yard line. BYU 0, Houston 0.

BYU had advanced 46 yards into Houston territory before the error.

Here’s how to watch the game

BYU’s showdown with Houston will be televised on ESPN and can also be streamed on the ESPN app.

Pre-game preparation

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against Houston.