Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s 31-28 win over Boise State

The Deseret News is providing live coverage from Saturday’s game between BYU and Boise State. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Score: BYU 31, Boise State 28

Fourth quarter

1:00

BYU came up with a fourth-down stop, as Jakob Robinson knocked down a pass.

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Given what this team has gone through over the past month, what a big play for the Cougars and the defense.

BYU will run out the clock for the win.

1:46

BYU got the ball into the hands of its best player for perhaps the most critical fourth down of the season, as Puka Nacua caught a 6-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. BYU 31, Boise State 28.

The play went to review — trying to determine if Nacua had control and was able to land inbounds before his hip landed out of bounds — and the call stood.

Nacua had 41 receiving yards on that drive alone, and has 157 receiving yards on the night.

What a gutty play by the Cougar receiver and excellent time for BYU to snap a streak of eight straight unsuccessful fourth-down attempts.

6:28

It’s turning into a score-for-score game: George Holani broke several tackles and scored on an 11-yard run and Boise State is back out front. Boise State 28, BYU 24.

The Broncos drove 65 yards in four plays to score, a drive that included plays of 17, 24, 13 and 11 yards.

8:12

What was that??

Little-used backup running back Hinckley Ropati has given BYU the lead back, taking a screen pass 48 yards for a touchdown. BYU 24, Boise State 21.

That was a perfect response for the Cougar offense after the Broncos marched downfield to go back ahead, as BYU moved the ball 64 yards in just four plays.

Ropati has stepped up on a night where the Cougars were shorthanded in the backfield.

10:03

George Holani walked into the end zone on third-and-goal at the 1, giving Boise State the lead back on a 12-play drive. Boise State 21, BYU 17.

BYU’s defense has shown improvement tonight, though the Broncos have a pair of long touchdown drives in the second half.

Third quarter

0:25

A beautiful pass and catch turns into a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jaren Hall to Puka Nacua, and the Cougars are back up. BYU 17, Boise State 14.

That was a 78-yard drive, and a much-needed answer from the Cougars.

Can they capitalize on the opportunity ahead?

6:26

Jake Oldroyd hit a 25-yard field goal to cut into the Boise State lead. Boise State 14, BYU 7.

A season-long 48-yard run by Jaren Hall got the Cougars into the red zone before the drive stalled.

BYU was lined up to go for a fourth-and-goal from the 3 before a false start (mercifully?) forced the field goal.

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10:30

Is BYU in trouble after one long touchdown drive?

Despite the Cougars owning the first half statistically, Boise State is ahead after scoring on the first drive of the second half on an Eric McAlister 9-yard touchdown catch. Boise State 14, BYU 7.

The Broncos marched 75 yards for an impressive start to the second half, and now the onus is on the BYU offense to turn yards into points.

Second quarter

0:00

That was brutal.

BYU got a turnover from Boise State in the final 15 seconds of the half but couldn’t score after Lopini Katoa was stopped at the goal line on the final play of the half.

On second-and-goal after a Broncos fumble, Puka Nacua caught a pass but was just short of the goal line, and a few seconds ticked off before BYU called a timeout with one second remaining.

After both teams used timeouts, Katoa was stopped short of the line.

BYU has been in Boise State territory in every possession, but the Cougars’ short-yardage struggles are absolutely hurting them.

0:14

Wow, what a turn of events — Taylen Green fumbles as Keenan Pili forced a fumble and Tyler Batty recovered at the Boise State 10, setting up BYU for a chance to take the lead before halftime.

0:23

A costly, costly mistake — Isaac Rex tipped a pass, and Boise State’s Rodney Robinson intercepted Jaren Hall in the end zone, the second time BSU has a pick deep in Broncos territory in the second quarter.

BYU has reached Boise State territory on every drive and has just one score to show for it.

The Cougars are doing little to help themselves right now to snap their losing streak.

First quarter

0:36

Taylen Green hit Latrell Caples for a 16-yard touchdown pass on third down, and it’s a tie game. Boise State 7, BYU 7.

The Broncos capitalized after stopping BYU on fourth down on the previous possession.

3:29

Boise State stopped a promising BYU drive, stuffing the Cougars’ Lopini Katoa for no gain on a fourth-and-1 at the BSU 33.

That is eight straight missed fourth-down attempts by BYU.

8:48

BYU strikes first, as Jaren Hall scored on a 3-yard keeper. BYU 7, Boise State 0.

The Cougars went on a six-minute-plus drive on the game’s opening possession, using a strong balance of running and passing to get on the board. Hall completed 5 of 5 passes for 45 yards on the drive.

Pregame

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game: