It wasn’t enough to stop BYU from scoring a final touchdown when Hill ran into the end zone untouched from 7 yards with 18 seconds left. An extra point would’ve tied the game, but BYU coach Kalani Sitake opted to go for a two-point conversion.
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Utah made it six in a row Saturday night as they outlasted BYU 20-19. The Cougars had a 13-7 edge in points off turnovers.
Dubbed the Holy War, there is no love lost when BYU and Utah lock horns in any sport. Linebacker Sunia Tauteoli picked off Taysom Hill’s pass on the first play of the game and returned it 42-yards for a touchdown. On the offense’s next possession, Etling went 2-2 for 17 yards on a drive that ended with a Derrius Guice touchdowns run and a 13-3 LSU lead.
Being sent to the locker room for the Cougars was senior Kai Nacua, who had already intercepted two passes in the game, and freshman Austin McChesney, who were ejected for questionable targeting calls that left BYU scrambling in their secondary. Utah had three interceptions, as well as three fumbles.
Another wacky first quarter in the BYU-Utah rivalry. BYU called a delayed draw with Taysom Hill and that play call may have worked had Utah not elected to blitz. The Cougars took advantage of the fumble. The first fake field goal of the year lead to a first down catch by Corbin Kaufusi. It forced BYU to settle for field goals of 43 and 42 yards from Jake Oldroyd.
Turnovers come quickly: BYU has managed quick turnovers several times over the years, but never as quick as the first one on Saturday.
Turnovers continued to be the trend in the second quarter. However, the offense was unable to take advantage of the interception and Jonny Linehan punted the ball away.
But Tim Patrick turned the lead on its head with a stunning grab with 17 seconds left, hauling in a 21-yard strike from Troy Williams to give the Utes a 14-13 halftime lead. Troy McCormick was slicing BYU up with 62 yards on 10 carries. It set up a 39-yard dash down the sideline by Hill that gave BYU a 13-7 lead. With 4:06 left in the half, the Cougars were up 13-7 following the PAT.
In the third quarter, the Utes struck first.
Hill was picked off again when a defender hit his arm while throwing.
BYU would come back strong with a fumble forced by Francis Bernard and recovery by safety Kai Nacua.
Nacua also had an interception to open the second quarter, but his return was brought back for an illegal block.
During Utah’s drive at the end of the third quarter, many penalties and personal fouls were handed out.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake vehemently disagreed with the ejection, and was subsequently flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
BYU went three and out on its ensuing drive.
But the Ute offense woke up as well, grinding out yards on the ground and completing timely passes as Utah moved back in front with a TD pass near the end of the half.
BYU began with the ball, but it was a rocky start for the Cougars.
BYU began marching down the field and made it into enemy territory with less than a minute on the clock. On the opposite end, Sitake said he planned to go for the two-point conversion from the beginning of the final drive. The Cougars fell to the Utes 20-19.
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The Cougars turn their attention to next Saturday’s home opener against UCLA, their third-straight opponent from the Pac 12 South.
