BYU Shuts Out Arizona State in First Half
Turnovers and a goal-line fumble recovery gave BYU an early 7-0 lead over the visiting Sun Devils.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
BYU took a 7-0 lead over Arizona State early in the game. Sione Moa recovered a Bear Bachmeier fumble on a quarterback sneak at the goal line and carried it into the end zone for the touchdown.
Why it matters
The early takeaways gave BYU immediate control of a home game against a visiting opponent in Provo. The defensive pressure on the opening possessions set the tone for the contest.
BYU leads 7-0 on the strength of a goal-line fumble recovery, and Nusi Taumoepeau's sack of Jake Fette was his second of the season. The stub does not include the final score or the complete box score.
The players
BYU
Brigham Young University is a private university in Provo, Utah, affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and fields an NCAA Division I football program.
Arizona State
Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona, and its football program competes in the Big 12 Conference.
The details
Nusi Taumoepeau sacked Jake Fette on the third play of the game and knocked the ball loose, and Isaiah Glasker recovered it for a BYU takeaway. Moa then recovered Bachmeier's goal-line fumble after lengthy reviews and advanced it into the end zone.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: BYU hosts Arizona State in Provo.
Two weeks before the Arizona State game: BYU recovered a red zone fumble against Notre Dame, its previous forced turnover.
Season Trajectory
The early takeaway against Arizona State follows BYU's red zone fumble recovery against Notre Dame two weeks earlier, marking its first forced turnover since that game. Taumoepeau's second sack this season adds to a defensive pattern of pressure on the quarterback.
Taumoepeau's sack and Glasker's recovery are the kind of defensive plays that shift fantasy defense rankings for the week. The stub does not indicate any roster or schedule consequence beyond this game.
The takeaway
Early turnovers can decide a game's opening script, and BYU's defense used them to set the pace. Readers following the team should watch whether this pressure continues in the games ahead.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage in Provo.
