BYU vs Fresno State

BYU's Final Home game

BYU football won its final home game of the season against Fresno State 52-10 on Senior Day to finish the season undefeated at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU (8-3) outgained Fresno State (3-8, 2-5 Mountain West) 520 yards to 275. The Cougars were a perfect 5 for 5 on blue-zone attempts in the win and forced three turnovers leading to 21 points.

Senior Tribute

BYU honored its 18 graduating Seniors in a pregame ceremony.

The offense erupts

Receptions by Mitchell Juergens, Colby Pearson and Bernard put BYU in position for Trevor Samson to kick a 40-yard field goal and tie it up with four minutes to go in the first quarter. Mitch Mathews caught a 45-yard pass from Mangum in the first play of the second quarter to put the Cougars in the scoring position. With 13:25 on the clock, Bernard leaped over the defense into the end zone to score the first touchdown of the game and take the 10-3 lead.

TWo big picks and a block

For the second time this season, Kai Nacua picked off the ball and returned it for a touchdown. The pick-six extended BYU’s lead to 16-3 with 7:21 until the break. In Fresno State’s next series, Warner picked off the Bulldogs and returned it for 27 yards. With 6:11 left in the quarter, Mangum found Laulu-Pututau for the 18-yard touchdown, which was his first touchdown reception of his career. The Cougars successfully completed a two-point conversion with a pass to Terenn Houk in the corner of the end zone, pushing the lead to 24-3. Bronson Kaufusi finished the half by blocking Kody Kroening’s 37-yard field goal attempt.

Honoring Mark Philbrick

Tribute video

Check out this video that was shown at the halftime ceremony highlighting some of Mark’s favorite pictures from his 40 year career.

On a roll

BYU scored two touchdowns in the third quarter while holding Fresno State scoreless. Two 14-yard gains by Brown and Nick Kurtz set up Bernard to rush in on the 1-yard line with 9:59 left in the third to score his second touchdown. Brown broke loose for 45-yards with 5:06 on the clock to score the other touchdown in the third quarter, making it 38-3.

Finishing strong

A 54-yard reception by Laulu-Pututau at the end of the third quarter set up another Cougar touchdown to start the fourth. Former defensive lineman turned tight end Remington Peck took the ball on a reverse and threw the ball 15 yards to Houk for the touchdown on the trick play, extending the lead to 45-3 with 14:52 to play. Another interception from Nacua set up Nate Carter to rush five yards for the touchdown, just over two minutes after the Cougars’ last scoring drive. The Bulldogs responded by scoring their first touchdown on the game on a 29-yard rush, to finalize the score at 52-10 for the Cougars