Through the first six games of the season, BYU found a winning formula that served them well: a stout defense that consistently created chaos, an opportunistic offense that didn’t generate too many turnovers, and reliable special teams.

That formula went out the window on Friday evening. The BYU defense had its worst performance of the season – by a wide margin – and the offense scored three goals in the first half. The game against Oklahoma State was similar to BYU’s 2021 home loss to Boise State, in which multiple turnovers doomed BYU and its undefeated season ended after a 5-0 start. If BYU wanted to remain undefeated and improve to 7-0 against Oklahoma State, the Cougars had to find a new way to win: dominant offense.

While the defense struggled, allowing a season-high 269 rushing yards, the Cougars leaned on the offense to win the game. And the offense didn’t have much of a margin for error in the second half. With both teams dominating on the field, the clock was running and possessions were scarce. BYU’s offense yielded just four possessions in the second half and they capitalized on all four:

BYU scored six points per possession in the second half and gained 91% of its available yards. It was BYU’s best offensive half of the season and it came at a time when BYU needed it most.

The contrast between BYU’s second-half offense against Oklahoma State in 2024 compared to 2023 is shocking. In 2023, BYU’s offense had seven possessions in the second half as the Cougars tried to hold on to a lead. The offense punted on the first six possessions of that second half before kicking a field goal on the final line of regulation to send the game to overtime. That was 0.4 points per possession compared to 6.0 points per possession for BYU in 2024.

After a poor first half with two ill-advised interceptions, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff was great in the second half. He was 6/10 for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. Retzlaff had the clutch when BYU needed it most, including a key fourth-down conversion on the final drive and the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left. Retzlaff was also effective with his legs, running for 81 yards on 9 carries.

Retzlaff has had two chances to win or tie games in his BYU career. Ironically, both have come against Oklahoma State and Retzlaff has delivered on both occasions.

In 2023, BYU trailed 24-27 with 53 seconds left. Retzlaff led BYU 44 yards down the field in 53 seconds to set up the tying field goal. In 2024, Retzlaff led BYU on a 75-yard touchdown drive in 62 seconds for the winning score.

Running back LJ Martin had his best game in a BYU uniform. Martin had 20 carries for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Oklahoma State simply had no answer for Martin. When Martin is healthy, BYU’s offense is very dangerous. Without two goals in Oklahoma State territory in the first half, BYU’s offense would have had its best performance since 2022 or 2021.

The defense still caused some havoc, including two turnovers that were crucial in the game, but BYU lost the turnover margin 3-2. You’d have to go back several years to find the last time BYU won a game with a negative turnover margin.

During magical seasons you need to experience magical moments. Not every match will go as expected; it happens to even the best teams in college football. The fact that BYU was able to pull off a win against Oklahoma State in a new way speaks to the resilience of this team.

There is still a lot of football to be played and BYU’s run defense needs to improve. But as I write this, the easiest way to describe this 2024 BYU football team is special. To continue this special run, they will have to continue to improve and find new ways to win close games.

At his post-game press conference, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff asked, “How can you not be romantic about this game?”

Considering the expectations for this BYU team before the season started, how can you not be romantic about this team after a 7-0 start?