After enduring a rough season, BYU's defense stopped SMU's two-point conversion attempt with 8 seconds remaining in the New Mexico Bowl, and the Cougars held on for a 24-23 victory.
Led by third-string quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters and buoyed by an opportunistic defense, BYU pulls off unexpected win
“I don’t think anybody expected either defense to show up and I thought both defenses did a great job,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said in his walk-off interview. “I’m happy for our guys. Nothing warms your heart like a win.” And in the first half, BYU did everything it wanted. It ran the ball for 90 yards and held it for over 19 minutes. But it was still 10-10, would it be enough?Boosted by a pick-6 from linebacker Ben Bywater and steadied by the constant grind of a running game, the Cougars knocked off SMU for a New Mexico Bowl win. It finished the season 8-5, winning its last four games.
Every time SMU threatened to break the game open with its offense, BYU responded with either a turnover or stop followed by a long drive.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A short-handed BYU beats SMU in New Mexico Bowl to cap off independence eraThe BYU football team wrapped up its independence era with a 24-23 win over SMU in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday night. “I’m happy for our guys,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake. “Nothing warms your heart like a win.”
Read more »
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code NPBONUSFULL: Get $1,250 on Caesars for BYU vs. SMUUse the Caesars Promo Code NPBONUSFULL and get a huge bonus for SMU vs. BYU in the New Mexico Bowl.
Read more »
SMU comes up short on last-second 2-point conversion, falls to BYU in New Mexico BowlALBUQUERQUE — From the very beginning, this year’s SMU team focused on the end. Fast starts and fizzled ends had become synonymous with the program, and in...
Read more »
Tax rebates 2023: New Mexico looking to give residents $750 payment in new yearGov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) is reportedly encouraging New Mexico lawmakers to tap into the state's projected surplus to fund bolstered tax rebates to residents.
Read more »
Anxiety added as condition for medical weed in New MexicoOfficials in New Mexico have approved anxiety disorders as a qualifying condition under the state’s medical marijuana program.
Read more »
BYU notebook: Who is going to play in the bowl game, Sitake’s thoughts on opt-outs and what are the New Mexico Bowl gifts?“Even I don’t know who is going to be taking the first snaps,” Sitake said with a laugh, noting it could be Cade Fennegan, Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters or Nick Billoups. Starting quarterback Jaren Hall has been out in a boot all week.
Read more »