Brigham Young Cougars running back Ty’Son Williams (5) celebrates the win with teammates as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. Scott G Winterton
Dick Harmon
By Dick Harmon
Dick Harmon is a sports columnist for the Deseret News in his fourth decade reporting on college athletics.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Ty’Son Williams’ pile-pushing touchdown run in BYU’s two-overtime win over Tennessee brought some 15,000 Cougar fans to their feet in a frenzy. Wilson scored standing up behind beefy Cougar blockers who refused to get tired at the end of the 29-26 victory Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.

Williams, who had just 73 yards late in the fourth quarter, gained 92 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns, none more dominating than his five-yard power bulldozer run between the tackles that proved the margin of victory for the 1-1 Cougars.

“He earned the right to make that play,” said BYU running back coach AJ Steward. “I told him all week he had a great week of practice and deserved to play well on this night in this game. I believe that play is the reason he came to BYU. That is the reason he is here on this team.”

Williams had 12 carries for 64 yards when he was taken out of the game after getting dinged up at the end of the second quarter. After passing concussion protocol, he was inserted back in the game just when BYU needed an experienced, confident back to push the ball against a tiring Tennessee defense.

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“Basically, they willed themselves at the end,” said Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt. “They had more out there than we could stop.”

On BYU’s game-winning drive in the second overtime, Aleva Hifo ran around the end for 15 yards to the Vols’ 12. Williams had runs of 7 and 5 yards to cap BYU’s final plays.

Steward said Williams was locked in all week and during the game. “He has done everything we’ve asked of him and more since he’s been here and he earned it. He earned the right to make that touchdown. It feel so good, this was a great win for our team and our guys needed this.”

Williams scored BYU’s first touchdown of the game following an interception by middle linebacker Kavika Fonua. It was a 16-yard run around the right end on a misdirection play. On that one too, he went in standing up to cut Tennessee’s lead 13-10 in the third quarter.

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Brigham Young Cougars running back Ty'Son Williams (5) is pushed into the end zone by teammates as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU players celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Micah Simon (13) looks to make a long catch setting up the game tying field goal as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU's Head Coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a cougar defensive play on fourth down as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Ty'Son Williams (5) runs into the end zone as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Ty'Son Williams (5) breaks into the secondary as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Emmanuel Esukpa (33) breaks a run into the secondary as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) hits the ball as Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) tries to pass as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) tries to tackle Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) celebrates as the team exits the stadium as BYU defeats Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) celebrates as the team exits the stadium as BYU defeats Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Head coach Kalani Sitake and his players sing to the fans high up in the upper deck as they celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Head coach Kalani Sitake and his players celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Head coach Kalani Sitake and his players celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Head coach Kalani Sitake and his players celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU players celebrate their win over Tennessee with fans in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU players celebrate their win over Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU fans cheer as Tennessee fans leave after BYU defeated Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Ty'Son Williams (5) celebrates the win with teammates as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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A Tennessee student can't believe what he is seeing as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Chaz Ah You (3) isn't able to bring in an interception as Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) out-battles him for the ball in the end zone as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Tennessee Volunteers tight end Austin Pope (81) is brought down by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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Tennessee fans are stunned as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Micah Simon (13) runs in the open field after making a catch, setting up the game-tying field goal, as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU fans cheer as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU fans cheer as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. BYU won 29-26 in double overtime. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU's (88) JJ Nwigwe tries to catch Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU's Yy'Son Williams tries to spin but is brought down by several Volunteers as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson calls a play as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson tries to throw the ball down field as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) hands the ball off to Tennessee Volunteers running back Ty Chandler (8) as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is sacked by Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman LaTrell Bumphus (88) as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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A young BYU fan watches from the second deck as the Couagars and Tennessee Volunteers play a game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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A BYU gives a shaka sign as BYU and Tennessee play a game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU fans prepare for the game with Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU players take the field before the game as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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A BYU player fives fans as they come onto the field as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake greets fans as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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BYU players gather at the tunnel as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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A young fan watches as players come onto the field as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU fans prepare for the game with Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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BYU fans smile and talk as they watch the kickers warm up as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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Players take the field as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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Chris Clement with his son Adam take int the pregame action as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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Cosmo greet fans as BYU and Tennessee prepare to play a game in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. | Scott G Winterton
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