BYU dominated from start to finish.
After coming off back-to-back losses, the Cougars decided to change things up by naming true freshman quarterback Zach Wilson the starter heading into Saturday’s showdown.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound dual-threat quarterback put on a show in his first career start as he completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars’ 49-23 victory over Hawaii. He also scored on a 23-yard run, juking multiple defenders en route to the end zone Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Wilson’s three touchdown passes were also the most by a true freshman quarterback making his first start in program history.
BYU Football: Zach Wilson Shines With Record-Breaking Night Against Hawaii
The Cougars also got it done on the ground as Matt Hadley had a career-night with nine carries for 91 yards and a score, Lopini Katoa added 83 yards and a touchdown and Riley Burt chipped in with 59 yards on the ground to go with a touchdown. For the game, the Cougars had 280 yards rushing (6.0 yards per rush) and 194 yards passing (8.1 yards per pass) for a total of 474 yards.
BYU also held Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald — who entered the game No. 3 nationally with 350 passing yards per game — to his fewest of the season at 248. Hawaii (6-2), came in averaging nearly 500 yards per game, however, was limited to just 311 yards, with a chunk coming late in the fourth quarter.
BYU’s defense had its best game of the season as the Cougars recorded a season-high four sacks and forced two turnovers. Cousins, Isaiah and Corbin Kaufusi, led the Cougars as the duo combined for 15 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Here are all the reactions from Saturday night’s game:
Great being back in Provo for the weekend! How bout them Cougs?!?? pic.twitter.com/WLORukVvDR
— Taysom Hill (@T_Hill4) October 14, 2018
Zach Wilson’s 167.5 pass efficiency rating v. Hawaii is the best by a BYU true freshman QB making his first start.
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) October 14, 2018
This team has more life than we've seen in every game since Wisconsin combined.
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) October 14, 2018
Felt like it had been awhile since a #BYU offensive series was fun. That first one led by Wilson was fun to watch.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 14, 2018
This Wilson kid is special. Gives me flashbacks of Taysom.
— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) October 14, 2018
Holy smokes, Zach has a little Tua in him! Fearless in throwing vertical 26 yard td pass on 4th and 6. #BYUSN #BYU
— Trevor Matich (@TMatich) October 14, 2018
Mid 2nd qtr, BYU already has 3 TDs. So I plugged "BYU Offense" into the Topical Guide.
Answer: Luke 15: 24#BYUSN
— Trevor Matich (@TMatich) October 14, 2018
Film Room: Breaking Down BYU QB Zach Wilson’s First Career Start
"4th and 6? Hold my hot cocoa." -Zach Wilson @BYUfootball #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/SEQOetFg0a
— Shawn Nielsen (@XaloGunner) October 14, 2018
— Russell Nam Pham (@russellnampham) October 14, 2018
Very happy with this win. Offense was finally fun to watch and defense mixed it up
— Ys Guide (@YsGuide) October 14, 2018
I liked what I saw from Zach Wilson tonight & I think turning the reigns over to him was absolutely the right decision – That being said I sure didn’t expect us to be 3-3 after 6 games. Props and respect to Tanner for what he’s done for the team & for handling everything w/ class
— Bryce Larson (Asian Thunder) (@ATSports95) October 14, 2018
Both @T_Hill4 and @zachkapono made their first career starts against Hawaii as true freshmen.
Taysom Hill (47-0 W vs Hawaii in '12): 12-21, 112 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; 15 rushes, 143 yds, 1 TD
Zach Wilson (49-23 W vs Hawaii in '18): 16-24, 194 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 16 yds, 1 TD
— Robbie Bullough (@RobbieBullough) October 14, 2018
Zach Wilson showing up to class on Monday #BYU pic.twitter.com/Vo1ykhXov4
— Jordan Naylor (@jnailz21) October 14, 2018
Dear President Russell M Nelson,
Please assign Zach Wilson, Gunner Romney, and Dallin Holker to labor in the BYU Football Provo Utah Mission.
Sincerely,
Faithful tithe payer
— Keep BYU Football Great (@CrohnsNinja) October 14, 2018
This is the best @BYUfootball has looked all season. 28-3 at halftime. Zach Wilson has reignited the offense. The D has held @HawaiiFootball’s high octane offense in check.
I don’t expect Hawai’i to go quietly. They can score quickly. Still 30 min to go.
— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) October 14, 2018
Good night Provo. The #CougarTail was delicious. Thanks for the drop in @byu_cosmo. Appreciate the hospitality by @BYUfootball.@HawaiiFootball didn’t have its best night… but this team will still make noise in the @MountainWest. They never quit tonight.
— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) October 14, 2018
Welp. Found ourselves some courage !! LOL
Great game Cougars. Offense, Defense, Special Teams. Much needed.
Now let’s go finish this season right
— Bryan Kehl (@thekehlzone) October 14, 2018
Okay, that’s pretty impressive, Cosmo! pic.twitter.com/yO1N3Mwsdy
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 14, 2018
It's a tough battle for 2nd place#GoCougs https://t.co/1XcWAJ0U8N
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) October 14, 2018
Tanner Mangum is gonna looove this… #Yikes. @BYUfootball #BYU pic.twitter.com/RtQcxsQzUg
— Rebecca Cade Sports (@RCadeSports) October 14, 2018
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