CINCINNATI — The Cougar's watched Cincinnati place kicker Josh Pasley kick a 23-yard field goal on the Bearcat's opening drive, but the home team would never score again as BYU sailed to a 20-3 victory on the road Saturday.
It was a combination of stout defense and Quarterback Taysom Hill, who fought off a sluggish start to eventually lead BYU into the end zone.
It was a 3-3 game with less than a minute left until the half when the senior quarterback scampered in from 8 yards out to give the Cougars their first lead. Hill found the junior college transfer Jonah Trinniman two plays earlier on a 43-yard flea flicker to set up the touchdown.
Brigham Young struck again with a fluid drive to open up the second half. The Cougars marched all the way down to the one-yard line on a Jamaal Williams carry. Williams would temporarily leave the game limping when Squally Canada came in to punch it through and give the Cougars a 17-3 cushion.
From there, the defense went to work, shutting down Gunner Kiel and the Bearcats. It was the first time they held an opponent without a touchdown since a 64-0 shutout win over Savannah State in 2014.
Hill finished 15 of 25 for 130 yards. He had another 75 on the ground, while Williams led the way with 92 yards on 25 carries. BYU is back home next week against Southern Utah.