PROVO, Utah-For the first time in 19 days, No. 18 BYU football will be in action as they host the Troy Trojans Saturday evening at 8:15 pm at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
However, because of a ruling issued by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert Tuesday, the cities of Provo and Orem have regressed to orange, or moderate risk for covid-19.
This stipulation would, under normal circumstances, disallow sports, but BYU’s football games against Troy and Louisiana Tech October 2, will be allowed to continue, albeit without fans.
The Cougars and Trojans have never met on the gridiron, making this a historic meeting between the programs Saturday.
BYU and Troy are each 1-0 on the season. The Cougars routed Navy 55-3 September 7 at Annapolis, Md.
The Trojans routed Middle Tennessee State 47-14 this past Saturday, September 19, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Cougars are coached by fifth-year head coach Kalani Sitake (28-25, .528).
Through one game, BYU is led by junior signal-caller Zach Wilson who completed 13 of 18 passes (72.7 percent) for 232 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception in the rout of the Midshipmen.
The Cougars’ leading rusher is sophomore tailback Tyler Allgeier (14 car, 132 yards [9.4 yards per carry], 2 TD’s against Navy). Junior tailback Lopini Katoa (10 car, 80 yards, 2 TD’s) was also solid against the Midshipmen.
Against the Midshipmen, the Cougars’ leading receiver was junior receiver Gunner Romney (4 rec, 134 yards, TD, 33.5 yards per catch).
Senior linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (2 sacks, forced fumble) is BYU’s defensive leader through one game.
The Cougars amassed 301 rushing yards and 580 yards of offense against the Midshipmen. Conversely, the defense relinquished only 119 rushing yards to Navy.
Troy is coached by second-year head coach Chip Lindsey (6-7, .462).
Sophomore signal-caller Gunnar Watson (26-37, 248 yards, 2 TD’s) is completing 70.3 percent of his passes to start the season for the Trojans.
Redshirt senior tailback B.J. Smith (10 car, 81 yards) is Troy’s leading rusher.
The Trojans’ leading receiver is senior Khalil McClain (6 rec, 75 yards, 2 TD’s).
Junior receiver Tyler Hussey also caught a touchdown pass in last Saturday’s rout of the Blue Raiders for Troy.
Sophomore linebacker Jayden McDonald and sophomore safety Dell Pettus each have 5 tackles to lead the Troy defense. Redshirt junior cornerback Terence Dunlap has two interceptions to pace the Trojans in that statistic.
Junior safety Craig Slocum also has an interception for the Trojans.
Junior defensive tackle Will Choloh has a sack for Troy and redshirt freshman BAN Javon Solomon has a forced fumble for the Trojans.
Troy posted 496 yards of offense against the Blue Raiders and limited Middle Tennessee to only 249 yards.
