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BYU football report card: Cougars recover from lackluster start to beat Nevada

By Brandon Gurney Brandon Gurney
SHARE BYU football report card: Cougars recover from lackluster start to beat Nevada
BYU's Paul Lasike, center, tries to run through Nevada's Alex Bertrando (56) and Matthew Lyons (9) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)

BYU’s Paul Lasike, center, tries to run through Nevada’s Alex Bertrando (56) and Matthew Lyons (9) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)

Cathleen Allison, AP
1 of 11
BYU's Jamaal Williams, second from left, tries to run through Nevada's Kaodi Dike (16) and Markus Smith (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

BYU’s Jamaal Williams, second from left, tries to run through Nevada’s Kaodi Dike (16) and Markus Smith (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, AP
2 of 11
BYU's Taysom HIll, center, is tackled by Nevada's Markus Smith, back, and Kaodi Dike (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

BYU’s Taysom HIll, center, is tackled by Nevada’s Markus Smith, back, and Kaodi Dike (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

Cathleen Allison, AP
3 of 11
BYU's Kaneakua Friel (82) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against Nevada's Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

BYU’s Kaneakua Friel (82) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against Nevada’s Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

Cathleen Allison, AP
4 of 11
Nevada's Cody Fajardo (17) pitches the ball to a running back during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Nevada’s Cody Fajardo (17) pitches the ball to a running back during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, AP
5 of 11
BYU's Cody Hoffman, center, and Nevada's Trevor Taft (52) scramble to recover a fumble during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

BYU’s Cody Hoffman, center, and Nevada’s Trevor Taft (52) scramble to recover a fumble during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, AP
6 of 11
Nevada's Cody Fajardo (17) throws a pass against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Nevada’s Cody Fajardo (17) throws a pass against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, AP
7 of 11
Nevada's Hasaan Henderson (12) goes up for catch against BYU's Robertson Daniel (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Nevada’s Hasaan Henderson (12) goes up for catch against BYU’s Robertson Daniel (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, ASSOCIATED PRESS
8 of 11
Nevada's Brandon Wimberly (1) tries to catch a pass while being surrounded BYU's Craig Bills (20), Daniel Sorensen, back, and Mike Hague (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Nevada’s Brandon Wimberly (1) tries to catch a pass while being surrounded BYU’s Craig Bills (20), Daniel Sorensen, back, and Mike Hague (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.

Cathleen Allison, AP
9 of 11
BYU's Kaneakua Friel (82) catches a touchdown pass against Nevada's Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

BYU’s Kaneakua Friel (82) catches a touchdown pass against Nevada’s Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

Cathleen Allison, AP
10 of 11
Nevada's Don Jackson (6) runs against BYU during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

Nevada’s Don Jackson (6) runs against BYU during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

Cathleen Allison, AP
11 of 11
BYU's Paul Lasike, center, tries to run through Nevada's Alex Bertrando (56) and Matthew Lyons (9) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Cathleen Allison)
BYU's Jamaal Williams, second from left, tries to run through Nevada's Kaodi Dike (16) and Markus Smith (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
BYU's Taysom HIll, center, is tackled by Nevada's Markus Smith, back, and Kaodi Dike (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.
BYU's Kaneakua Friel (82) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against Nevada's Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.
Nevada's Cody Fajardo (17) pitches the ball to a running back during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
BYU's Cody Hoffman, center, and Nevada's Trevor Taft (52) scramble to recover a fumble during the first half an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
Nevada's Cody Fajardo (17) throws a pass against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
Nevada's Hasaan Henderson (12) goes up for catch against BYU's Robertson Daniel (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
Nevada's Brandon Wimberly (1) tries to catch a pass while being surrounded BYU's Craig Bills (20), Daniel Sorensen, back, and Mike Hague (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013.
BYU's Kaneakua Friel (82) catches a touchdown pass against Nevada's Bryan Lane Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.
Nevada's Don Jackson (6) runs against BYU during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. BYU won 28-23.

RENO, Nev. — BYU overcame a terrible and uninspired start to win a hard-fought road game against Nevada on Saturday, 28-23. The Cougars looked like a completely different team in the second half — particularly on offense — to wrap up the regular season with an 8-4 record.

Grades are in for each position group and the coaching staff for how they performed in the victory.

Email: bgurney@desnews.com

Twitter: @BrandonCGurney

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