Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) passes during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
PROVO — With BYU clinging to a 21-13 lead over UTSA midway through the fourth quarter and confronting a third-and-8 situation at midfield, quarterback Zach Wilson needed a big play to help secure the eventual 27-20 win.
The Roadrunners came with a blitz, forcing Wilson to perhaps throw the ball quicker than desired, targeting Dax Milne — a receiver he’s leaned on a lot this year.
Sure enough, Milne went up and got it, despite tight coverage down the sideline for a 21-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Several plays later Tyler Allgeier was galloping into the end zone to push the Cougars’ lead to 27-13 with just 2:18 on the clock.
“That play was definitely a big one, and I knew they were bringing a lot of pressure in the box, so I knew Zach would need to go somewhere quick,” Milne said. “It was a great throw by him and he put it only where I could get it and we made it happen.”
Milne has been making it happen with Wilson every game played this season, and led all receivers Saturday, hauling in seven receptions for a game-high 102 yards.
But Milne wasn’t alone in this regard.
Gunner Romney proved a dangerous downfield threat as well, hauling in four of his targets for 80 yards, and Neil Pau’u had five catches for 29 yards.
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) dives in for a touchdown ahead of UTSA Roadrunners linebacker Jamal Ligon (88), giving the Cougars a 21-6 lead after the PAT, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs into the end zone over UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Ken Robinson (21), giving the Cougars a 27-13 lead after the PAT missed, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) leaps over UTSA Roadrunners safety Antonio Parks (4), but the play is called back due to an offensive holding call, during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) pulls in an end zone pass ahead of UTSA Roadrunners safety Antonio Parks (4), putting the Cougars up 7-3 after the PAT during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) and running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrate after Allgeier ran for a touchdown during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) takes flight over a pair of UTSA Roadrunners defenders during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The UTSA Roadrunners punt in the third quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) loses his grip on a pass under pressure from UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Tariq Woolen (20) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) and running back Lopini Katoa (4) celebrate after Katoa caught the ball for a touchdown, giving the Cougars a 14-3 lead over the UTSA Roadrunners after the PAT, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake works the sideline during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) passes during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs the ball during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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UTSA Roadrunners tight end Gavin Sharp (87) makes a reception during the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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UTSA Roadrunners safety Ryan Shockency (22) and safety Dadrian Taylor (7) celebrate after cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. (26) forced and recovered a Brigham Young Cougars fumble at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. (26) recovers a fumble from Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Troy Warner (4) intercepts a pass intended for UTSA Roadrunners tight end Gavin Sharp (87) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Lopini Katoa (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Cougars up 14-3 over the UTSA Roadrunners after the PAT, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. (26) forces a fumble from Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau'u (2) during the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (1) warms up before the game against UTSA at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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UTSA and BYU warm up before playing a game without fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars players warm up before the game against UTSA at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars players huddle before the game against UTSA at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake comes off the field after his team’s 27-20 win over the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) pulls in a pass under pressure from UTSA Roadrunners cornerback Tariq Woolen (20) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Cardboard cutouts occupy some of the seats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo as the Brigham Young Cougars play the UTSA Roadrunners without fans in attendance on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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The Brigham Young Cougars come off the field after their 27-20 win over the UTSA Roadrunners at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Pau’u’s first reception resulted in a fumble, although the junior wideout found redemption several minutes later, hauling in a seemingly impossible touchdown grab from four yards out for the Cougars’ first score.
On the play, Wilson was flushed from the pocket and seemingly had no options available before finding Pau’u in the back corner of the end zone. Pau’u reached up for the catch while getting a foot down for an improbable score.
“Really, at that point, the (defender) had his back turned, so I was just trying to throw it up and give Neil a shot in that situation. And he did a great job going up to get it and getting his foot down. That was huge.” — Zach Wilson, on Neil Pau’u’s touchdown
“Really, at that point, the (defender) had his back turned, so I was just trying to throw it up and give Neil a shot in that situation,” Wilson said. “And he did a great job going up to get it and getting his foot down. That was huge.”
As for the trust and chemistry between Wilson and his receivers, it’s been worked on all offseason, with Milne noting as much, saying, “It’s all about working hard together in past years.”
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One guy who has seen Wilson’s chemistry with his receivers develop firsthand is BYU linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi, who immediately went into a description of a pass completed against him in practice that still bewilders him.
“I wish I could delete (a) clip of him throwing a pass to Lopini Katoa,” Kaufusi said, referring to a preseason scrimmage. “I was in coverage and I felt I played it perfect on a wheel route, but Zach just zips it perfect in the end zone.”
Of course, seeing Wilson do it time and again in games makes up considerably for him doing against Kaufusi and his teammates during practice sessions.
“I knew he was going to be special and it really makes our job on defense a lot easier when you know you have a quarterback who can make plays,” Kaufusi said. “I’m just really excited about what our offense can do, and the offense just seems different this year. We have playmakers all over the field and I’m really just proud of those guys.”
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