Ranking BYU's Top 10 Plays Against Arkansas

BYU's win over Arkansas in a shootout was full of spectacular plays

Author:
Casey Lundquist
Updated:
Sep 17, 2023 1:38 AM EDT
Original:
Sep 17, 2023

BYU traveled to Arkansas and took down the Razorbacks in a wild, back-and-forth 38-31 win. The game was full of spectacular plays from start to finish. In this article, we'll attempt to rank the top 10 plays from the Cougars' win over the Razorbacks.

10. Deep Ball to Keelan Marion

Keelan Marion vs Arkansas — Credit: BYU Photo

The first play in our top 10 was a perfectly-thrown deep ball from Kedon Slovis to Keelan Marion in the fourth quarter. Slovis hit Marion in stride for a 37-yard gain. This was Slovis' best pass of the day and it set up the go-ahead touchdown.

9. Parker Kingston Screen Pass Touchdown

Parker Kingston Arkansas — Credit: BYU Photo

After a Max Tooley interception gave BYU the ball at the Arkansas 20, Aaron Roderick dialed up the perfect play call against the aggressive Arkansas defense. A screen pass to Parker Kingston allowed Kingsley Suamataia and Isaac Rex to get downfield and set up blocks. Kingston flashed his track speed on this play and punched it in for six.

8. Tyler Batty Strip Sack

This play nearly ended the game. Tyler Batty came off the edge and sacked KJ Jefferson on the last drive of the game. Batty stripped Jefferson on the sack and the ball bounced in the hands of an Arkansas offensive lineman. If BYU would have recovered that fumble, it would have won the game. Regardless, it was a great individual effort from Tyler Batty.

7. Isaac Rex One-Handed Grab

In the first quarter, BYU tight end Isaac Rex made a spectacular one-handed catch for a 26-yard gain. Slovis navigated the pressure and found Rex down the seam with a man in his face. Rex snagged the ball out of the air and gave BYU a first down inside the five yard-line.

Two plays later, BYU running back LJ Martin punched it in for the touchdown.

6. LJ Martin Touchdown Run

BYU true freshman running back LJ Martin made his first start against Arkansas. Martin was excellent, running for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns. Martin's first touchdown of his career was a beauty. Martin patiently waited for a pulling Kingsley Suamataia to open a running lane and exploded through the gap for a 45-yard touchdown. Martin's ability to find the hold and out-run the defense was on full display.

BYU got a really good one in LJ Martin. He will be an impact player for years to come.

5. Eddie Heckard Strip Sack

Late in the fourth quarter, Arkansas had the ball down 38-31. On third down, BYU cornerback Eddie Heckard came off the edge and strip sacked KJ Jefferson. Tyler Batty scooped up the fumble and gave BYU the ball in Arkansas territory.

4. Max Tooley Interception

Late in the third quarter, BYU backup defensive end Blake Mangelson sacked KJ Jefferson to set up 2nd & 18. On the following play, Mangelson pressured Jefferson again, forcing an errant throw that landed in the arms of Max Tooley. Tooley returned the ball to the Arkansas 20 yard-line to set up a touchdown on the next play.

Mangelson had the highest PFF grade of any BYU defender coming into the game. Don't be surprised if he maintains the top spot after his performance against Arkansas.

3. Parker Kingston Touchdown Pass

BYU was trying to overcome a disaster start early in the first quarter. Down 14-0, Aaron Roderick dialed up the perfect trick play to take advantage of an aggressive Arkansas defense. BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston, a quarterback in high school, found running back Deion Smith on the wheel route for a touchdown. This was the play that changed the course of the game.

2. AJ Vongphachanh Fourth Down Stop

Speaking of plays that changed the course of the game, BYU was down 31-21 midway through the third quarter. On 4th & 1, Arkansas attempted a run up the middle that was stuffed by linebacker AJ Vongphachanh. BYU defensive lineman Jackson Cravens also deserves credit for plugging the middle and forcing the Arkansas running back to try a different gap.

After this play, BYU went on a 17-0 scoring run to finish the game.

1. Chase Roberts Touchdown Grab

This wasn't only the best play of the game, it was the best play in the country. Chase Roberts' touchdown grab was the top play in Sports Center's Top 10 plays. The game was tied at 31 when Kedon Slovis found Chase Roberts in the corner of the endzone. Roberts secured the ball with one hand for the go-ahead (and game-winning) score.

This throw was perfectly placed by Kedon Slovis. Had the ball not been thrown high in the air where only Roberts could catch it, it could have been intercepted.

Roberts only used one hand, but the catch was never in doubt. Roberts never bobbled the ball even when he landed on the ground.

The backstory of this catch makes it even more impressive. Chase Roberts had a costly fumble late in the first half that allowed Arkansas to take the lead. Roberts bounced back from that mistake and made the play of the season so far.

BYU photo perfectly captured the moment with the below image.