Cougars’ grit won’t let them quit in Las Vegas Bowl

But BYU never got the ball back. The 6-foot-8, 280-pounder is playing his last game for his dad, defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi. “And that’s something I’m so proud about, is that no matter what happened in the game, everyone had the mentality that we’re going to get ourselves back into it”.

With no previous head coaching experience, and with a horrific defense at Oregon State a year ago, there are reasons to worry that Sitake won’t work out.

The official decision came after BYU’s game against its rival the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, where the Cougars fell 35-28 after falling behind 35-0 in the first quarter on five turnovers.

“I’m grateful for everything BYU gave me as a player”, Sitake said. But Mangum and the Cougars got off to such a bad start that there wasn’t quite enough time to finish the comeback, even after another Mangum miracle throw set up the Cougars’ final touchdown to cut the lead to seven. Speculation arose that perhaps BYU was waiting for the bowl game against the Utes, so that the Cougars could then make a run at Utah’s head coach Kyle Whittingham. Midway through the first quarter, the Utes were already up, 28-0. Joe Williams ran for two one-yard scores and Travis Wilson ran for a 20-yard score, but it was the defense that all but put it away early on with Tevin Carter and Dominique Hatfield each coming up with pick sixes. BYU basketball player Nick Emery was recently suspended a game for punching Utah guard Brandon Taylor during a game. “It changed my life and made me a better person”.

5 – The number of sacks that BYU has allowed over the past three games.

The win marks the first time that the Utes have recorded a 10-win season since joining the Pac-12.

Those turnovers skewed a first half in which Utah couldn’t do much on offense.

Meanwhile, BYU stayed composed and racked up totals of 386 yards and 21 first downs. According to multiple media reports, Oregon State defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Kalani Sitake will be named new head coach at BYU, replacing Virginia-bound Bronco Mendenhall. The Holy War has taken place 95 times with Utah leading 57-34-4 but this is the first time the two will meet in a bowl game.

Tanner Mangum, Freshman Sensation: When Taysom Hill went down with a season-ending injury in the first game of the season, no one knew what to expect from Mangum who had just returned from serving his two year religious mission.

Trying to escape pressure, Mangum fumbled at the 25-yard line on BYU’s first possession. His 21 touchdown passes were a freshman record for the Cougars this year.

The Utes only attempted 16 pass attempts against the Cougars, but Wilson completed just nine of them for 71 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. The Utes have won 12 of their last 13 bowl games.

“Anu Solomon threw two touchdowns passes and ran for another score to help Arizona hold off pesky New Mexico 45-37 on Saturday”.

Arizona (7-6) and its quick offense overwhelmed the Lobos (7-6) in a game that saw New Mexico surge late after being down as many of 18 points. He also rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. After the game, Wright announced he would enter the National Football League draft.

Jared Baker ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns for the Wildcats, while Cayleb Jones had 182 yards receiving and a touchdown. The 5-foot11, 200-pound running back has been practicing with the scout team all year due to NCAA transfer rules.