Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s 28-25 upset victory over No. 14 Boise State

PROVO — BYU and Boise State are accustomed to playing games that are decided in the final minutes.

This time, it was the Cougars who prevailed, holding off a late rally to beat the No. 14 Broncos, 28-25.

For BYU (3-4), it ended a three-game losing streak and an undefeated start to the season for Boise State (6-1).

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Here’s three key takeaways that defined this game.

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Three-touchdown third quarter

The Cougars built an 18-point lead by scoring three touchdowns in three drives during the third quarter, with two of the drives covering 75-plus yards.

BYU started the second half with the ball and scored on a four-play, 75-yard drive when Sione Finau ran for a 46-yard touchdown, his first career score for the Cougars.

The next two touchdowns came from BYU tight end Matt Bushman. The Cougars capped a five-play, 80-yard drive when Baylor Romney connected with Bushman on a fourth-and-1 play for a 27-yard touchdown pass.

After a Jackson Kaufusi interception set BYU up at the Boise State 41 on its next drive, Romney found Bushman again, this time on a flea flicker 39-yard score.

All totaled, the Cougars had 196 yards of total offense in the third quarter.

First-time starts

Both teams had quarterbacks making their first career starts because of injuries to other signal callers. For BYU, it was redshirt freshman Romney. For Boise State, it was redshirt sophomore Chase Cord. 

Both players ended up having OK nights, with Romney throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 15 of 26 passing. Cord was 18 of 31 for 185 yards in a game where BSU edged BYU 359-347 in total yards. 

BYU had the edge on turnovers, forcing Boise State into two, both Cord interceptions, while Romney and the Cougar offense never turned the ball over.

Fending them off

Throughout the series between these two teams, it’s often been BYU that has tried to rally late to upend the Broncos. This time, though, it was Boise State, who led 10-7 at halftime before BYU built its 28-10 lead through three quarters.

The rally for the Broncos began with a 14-play, 81-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard Octavius Evans touchdown catch, followed by a two-point conversion to make it a 10-point game.

With 3:17 to play, BSU again scored a touchdown to make it 28-25. 

With 2:17 to play, Romney came up short on a third-and-1 carry at the BYU 35 that was initially marked a first down but reversed on review.

The Cougars trusted their offense, though, using a unique formation and Austin Kafentzis on a carry that picked up two yards on fourth down, and BYU ran out the clock from there.

Scoring summary: BYU 28, Boise State 25

First quarter

Boise State, CT Thomas 12-yard run (10:28), Eric Sachse kick

BYU, Lopini Katoa 4-yard run (3:34), Jake Oldroyd kick

Second quarter

Boise State, Eric Sachse 38-yard field goal (0:28)

Third quarter

BYU, Sione Finau 46-yard run (13:03), Jake Oldroyd kick

BYU, Matt Bushman 27-yard pass from Baylor Romney (4:49), Jake Oldroyd kick

BYU, Matt Bushman 39-yard pass from Baylor Romney (3:10), Jake Oldroyd kick

Fourth quarter

Boise State, Octavius Evans 13-yard pass from Chase Cord (12:42), Garrett Collingham 3-yard pass from Chase Cord

Boise State, Akilian Butler 5-yard pass from Chase Cord (3:17), Eric Sachse kick

Follow along with the action in our live blog below.