NOTES
ATTENDANCE: 15,652
FLAG BEARERS: ALUMNI: Scott Robinson (OL, 1981, 83-85) TEAM: Brad Wilcox (Jr., OL) SPECIAL TEAMS: Moroni Laulu-Pututau (Fr., WR)
GAME CAPTAINS: Bronson Kaufusi (Sr., DL), Michael Shelton (Fr., DB) and Tanner Mangum (Fr., QB)
TEAM NOTES
Series Record. BYU beat San Jose State in San Jose for the first time since a 19-9 win in 1966. The Cougars improve to 7-10 overall and 2-6 at SJSU.
Narrow Margin. BYU is now 3-1 this season in games decided by seven or fewer points with wins over Nebraska, East Carolina, San Jose State and the loss at UCLA.
Opponent Total Offense. BYU limited the Spartans to 269 total yards (122 rush, 147 passing).
Sacks and TFLs. BYU’s defense recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss. It is the seventh game this season the Cougars sacked the opposing quarterback at least three times. BYU is 48-2 under Bronco Mendenhall in games where the Cougar defense records at least three sacks.
Longest Drive (# plays). The 17-play, 80-yard drive in the second quarter was BYU’s longest this season in respect to number of plays.
Third Downs. BYU limited the Spartans to 6 of 15 on third down under their season percentage of 47.
Passing Yards. BYU threw for 218 yards through three quarters. The previous high this season the SJSU pass defense had given up in a game was 217 against UNLV.
PLAYER NOTES
Mitch Mathews
Matched his 2014 season TD total of 9 with first scoring reception of game, ending the game with 62 yards on four receptions. Has caught a pass in 33 consecutive games. His touchdown pass was the 22nd of his career, moving him into a tie with Gordon Hudson for No. 7 at BYU.
Tanner Mangum
His 15th touchdown pass of the season tied the BYU freshman record for most in a season. He threw for 293 yards on 23-of-37 passing. He started off the game 6 of 7 on the first drive with 51 yards and a TD pass. He needs one TD pass and 119 yards to surpass Jake Heaps for most BYU freshman TD passes and passing yards.
Tomasi Laulile
Notched his fourth straight game with at least a half tackle for loss, bringing his total to two on the season.
Fred Warner
Had his second career multi-sack game with all four career sacks in the past two games. He recovered his third fumble this season on a 4th-down rushing attempt by the Spartans. It is also the most in a season since Shawn Doman had four recoveries in 2009.
Devon Blackmon
Went over the century mark for the third time this season as he totaled 102 yards on six receptions. He now has 502 total receiving yards on the season to lead the team.
Michael Wadsworth
Notched 10 tackles for his fourth double-digit tackle game this season.
Algernon Brown
Scored his eighth rushing touchdown of the year–all in the last four games.
Bronson Kaufusi
Upped his career sack total to 22 with a half sack and one tackle for loss to go along with six tackles.
CAREER HIGHS (The following players recorded notable career highs)
Long Kick Return – Trey Dye (46-yarder)
FIRSTS (The following players recorded their first in a respective category)
Career Firsts
Sack— Jherremya Leuta-Douyere (0.5)
Season Firsts
Reception by Tight End—Remington Peck
QUOTES
Opening Statement:
“Credit to San Jose. I think they threw everything they could at us. Their defense really played well, especially against the run. I think that was one of the keys to the game was San Jose playing the run part of our offense so well. I think we got in our way a little bit with the interception for a touchdown and a few key penalties down the stretch.“
“San Jose, with all the different tricks and gadgets and misdirection and a really good tailback, they were able to hang in. I don’t think we played especially well on special teams either, having said all that we were resilient, we were tough and we found a way to win the game. And I’m happy for that.”
“I thought our defense played well. We gave up one touchdown, and I think that was the key to the game was our defensive consistency. We have plenty to work on, but I think our team continues to show that they hang together, they find a way to win. But there’s a lot we can clean up.”
On San Jose’s two point conversion attempt:
“I would have gone for two as well. In fact I told their coach that after the game.“
“When you play the game like that and you invest that much in all the different ways you can to move the ball, you gotta go for that. I know they’re disappointed, but it was the right thing. It was the right message to their team, it was the right message for their program and it was the right call, and they almost pulled it off.”
“We just called something we knew how to play really well, a combination of pressure and coverage and luckily we executed it. One more play than they did.”
On Mangum’s pick six:
“Tanner was expecting the receiver to burst out, the receiver saw the DB on outside leverage so he settled. One of the great things about Tanner is he throws the ball with anticipation. It was just communication, a huge play in the game. One other hurdle to overcome.”
SJSU Head Coach Ron Caragher
I’m proud of this football team. We competed well, and I know all the focus will go to the two-point attempt. In overtime you get into a battle of the kicking game, and that’s not an “A-game” for us right now. I felt like we had momentum, and I wanted to deliver the knockout punch.
It was a good play, and I thought it would work the way Tyler commands so much attention. We went for the win. We didn’t get it. We came up short unfortunately. They left it all out on the field. I won’t doubt myself. We went for it, and I feel like it was the right thing. I would do it again. Everyone has their opinion, but I would do it again.
They fought valiantly. I was proud of the defensive unit and we drove the ball pretty well on offense. We didn’t capitalize. With Thomas Tucker, I think that’s just a young man fighting for the extra yards It was an unfortunate fumble, and then we have a field goal go off the post.
The message to the team was keep the momentum of playing well. As disappointing as it was, keep this momentum going for when we get back to MW football next week against Nevada.
Did you decide alone?
When we made the big run with Kenny, I told them the backside end was collapsing, and I thought we had them on their heels a little bit. I told Al (Borges) that I was thinking about going for two, and he agreed that it would be the best decision. I take responsibility, but he was in agreement.
As difficult as it was, we are playing well. Although we came up short on the scoreboard, let’s continue this momentum as we go into the rest of MW play.
What impressed you about the defense?
I think we tackled very well in the open field. We weren’t perfect, but we tackled well in the run game. When the receivers caught the ball, we were right on them. They had that third-and-a-mile, and converted it but were still short. That was just from good coverage and sticking with the coverage.
I thought we mixed it up well up front, and that was good. It was part of the plan coming in.
Kenny Potter
What did you see with the two-point conversion?
As a competitor you want the ball in your hands at all times. We’ve been practicing that play though, and we were ready to run it. I’m 100 percent with coach on that play. People can say what ever they want. What if we did convert that play, then everyone is behind us. But this was a tough one.
I’ve always liked the spotlight. I think all of the quarters are important, but we looked at it as, this what you dream about, driving down and coming back in the fourth quarter. The defense gave us good opportunities, but we just couldn’t capitalize on them. I’m proud of these guys. I believe we competed and we can compete with anyone.
Tyler Ervin
We’ve been practicing the play for some time. I did my best to fake the defense, and it’s just too bad Billy wasn’t able to come down with it. We just have to suck it up and worry about next week.
I just try to do what I’m coached to do. I fought hard, and the O-line played well. I thought we competed well.
I think we’ll respond well. Once practice hits next week, we’ll be focused on Nevada, and I think we’ll play a great game.
Cleveland Wallace III
Coming back to make the interception:
Playing corner, you have to have amnesia and forget the play before, whether it was good or bad. They made some plays, but I’m going to make my plays too, and my confidence never waivered. Our coach made an amazing call, and they did exactly what we thought they were going to do. Their quarterback made a little bit of a bad throw, and it resulted in the touchdown.