BYU vs Nevada postgame notes

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Postgame notes

BYU defeated Nevada 28-23 to earn its eighth win of the year. The Cougars retain their lead over the Wolf Pack with a 5-2-2 record and are 275-161-13 all-time against Mountain West teams.

Nevada honored its seniors at the game. This marks the third straight “Senior Day” the Cougars have played. They are 2-1 in those games.

BYU improves to 2-3 this season when trailing after the first half. In its wins, the deficit has been just by single digits. In the losses, BYU was trailing by 10 or more.

Kyle Van Noy and Austin Holt carried the team and special teams flags, respectively. Former running back Fui Vakapuna (2002-03, 06-08) carried the alumni flag.

Offense

BYU improves to 73-8 under head coach Bronco Mendenhall when scoring 24 points or more.

The Cougars finished with 394 yards on the ground, the fifth game with 300 or more yards rushing this season. BYU is 5-0 in those games.

Both Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams finished with over 100 yards rushing, marking the fourth time the Cougars have had two 100-yard rushers in the same game. The two sophomores each have rushed for over 1,000 yards this year, becoming the first BYU duo to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Defense

The Cougars are 3-2 when winning the turnover battle.

Nevada entered the matchup averaging 27.3 points and 435.3 yards of total offense. BYU held its opponent to 23 points and 363 yards of offense.

BYU improves to 72-11 in the Bronco Mendenhall era when allowing 24 points or less.

Taysom Hill
Sophomore quarterback Taysom Hill rushed for 154 yards and one score, his ninth rushing TD of the season. He also threw for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 14-18 passing, his best completion rate this year. He has four games this season with at least one rushing TD and one passing TD.

Jamaal Williams
Sophomore running back Jamaal Williams has 1,202 rushing yards this season and 1,977 for his career, placing him No. 10 all-time at BYU. He notched his second-longest run of the season (66 yards) at the beginning of the second half, which resulted in his seventh TD of the season. His 219 rushing yards marks his fifth 100-yard game this season and eighth of his career. It’s the first time the sophomore has eclipsed the 200-yard mark.

JD Falslev
Senior receiver JD Faslev caught his third touchdown of the season, the most he’s ever had in one season. He caught two TDs in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  He finished with three receptions for 12 yards. He notched his 87th career punt return. Entering the game, he ranked No. 1 among active FBS players for punt returns.

Cody Hoffman
Senior receiver Cody Hoffman has caught a pass in 42 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 23, 2010.

Kaneakua Friel
Senior tight end Kaneakua Friel caught his first touchdown of the season. He finished with two catches for 18 yards.

Eathyn Manumaleuna
Senior defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna holds the record for the most games played at BYU with 55. Today marked the 50th game he has started as a Cougar.

Robertson Daniel
Junior college transfer Robertson Daniel recorded his first interception as a Cougar. He also added two tackles.

Uani ‘Unga
Senior linebacker Uani ‘Unga recorded his eighth game this season with double-digit tackles. Both he and Mike Hague tallied nine solo tackles, the most by a Cougar this year.

Mike Hague
Senior defensive back Mike Hague notched a career-high nine tackles, all of them solo. Both he and Uani ‘Unga tallied nine solo tackles, the most by a Cougar this year.

Marques Johnson
Junior defensive lineman Marques Johnson recorded a personal-best seven tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Manoa Pikula

Sophomore linebacker Manoa Pikula also earned a sack, his third of the season. The sophomore had three total tackles on the night.

Bronson Kaufusi
Sophomore defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi got two sacks, the same number of sacks he’s recorded all season. He added six total tackles.

Logan Taele
Sophomore defensive lineman Logan Taele blocked a Nevada field goal, his first career block.

Scott Arellano
Junior punter Scott Arellano punted the ball five times against Nevada. With 74 punts on the year, he ranks No. 4 among BYU players for most punts in a season.