No. 14 Boise State and BYU played one of the most memorable games of the season that even Sportscenter couldn’t show all the plays in its SCTop10 highlight reel.
So with that, here is a list of all the top plays from the BYU vs Boise State. Enjoy!
Boise State scored during the first minute of the game as running back Jeremy McNichols came out of the backfield to score on a 76-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brett Rypien to take a 7-0 lead.
WATCH | Boise State's first TD
Hey there's a LB covering Jeremy McNichols. Hey there's Jeremy McNichols catching a 76-yard TD! 7-0 Broncos! pic.twitter.com/TpcW4eS0rf
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) October 21, 2016
After going up 14-0 early in the first quarter, the Broncos looked to extend its lead with a 32-yard field goal. However, Tyler Rausa’s attempt was blocked and returned for a big gain by Kai Nacua.
Field Goal BLOCKED by Kaufusi, caught by Nacua! #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsBSU #RepTheY pic.twitter.com/mXgdBoScIc
— BYU Photo (@BYUphoto) October 21, 2016
With BYU’s offense struggling to move the ball, the Cougar defense stepped up to force one of five turnovers on the night for the Broncos. Linebacker Fred Warner stepped in front of a pass and somehow hung onto the ball before taking it to the house for a 59-yard touchdown. Warner avoided several tacklers down the sideline before diving at the pylon for one of the best pick-6 returns of the season.
BYU's Fred Warner with your #sctop10 play of the day. Takes pick-6 to the house after big hit. https://t.co/uyQYblElCS #BYUvsBSU #BSUvsBYU
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) October 21, 2016
After it looked like the Cougars had swung the momentum in its favor, BYU lost it after going for a fake punt in its own end zone on 4th-and-19.
Just when U thought you had seen it all. BYU's fake punt (4th-and-19) in own end zone #BlueFieldAfterDark https://t.co/AVkfedQDmG #BYUvsBSU
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) October 21, 2016
No harm was done as the Broncos ended up missing a short field goal in a crazy turn of events. Wrote one user on Twitter, “So after all of that (one of the worst fake punts in football history turns into a 15 yard gain and the ball?” … “You can’t make this stuff up.”
The Cougar defense then stepped up again as freshman defensive back Dayan Lake returned another interception for a touchdown to put BYU up 17-14 in the second quarter.
Oh…..my…… @BYUfootball has no offense but the defense…… #BYUvsBSU pic.twitter.com/AEjcVTip2o
— Richard Costigan III (@richardcostigan) October 21, 2016
Despite a great play by Lake, all everyone will remember is the messed up football lines.
Thanks to Boise State field painters for giving Dayan Lake a few extra inches of sideline room on that pick six. pic.twitter.com/a7Mz8R0NJH
— Greg Burnham (@gburnham) October 21, 2016
BSU then turned around and fumbled at midfield. The Cougars couldn’t get any points and right before the first half ended, Rypien found wide receiver Cedric Wilson for a 36-yard touchdown catch to put the Broncos up 21-17 at the half.
#BYUvsBSU @BroncoSportsFB @brettryp #BoiseState Cedric Wilson snagged that TD pass from Brett Rypien. Boise State up 21-17 at half. pic.twitter.com/IPnBnjdIcn
— Dylan Wilde (@wilde_dylan) October 21, 2016
Then to top off a wild and wacky first half, BYU almost got a Hail Mary to end the first half.
Incidentally, the Hail Mary attempt at the end of the 1st half of #BYUvsBSU was just as entertaining/nearly disastrous as the rest: pic.twitter.com/OrJecDMu2J
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 21, 2016
In the second half, BYU wide receiver Mitchell Juergens then adds an unbelievable 33-yard catch to put the ball on the half yard line. Taysom Hill then added a quarterback sneak to put BYU up 24-21.
Oh. My. Goodness! What a catch in one of the most entertaining games you'll ever see. BYU leads Boise State 24-21 https://t.co/ndYGKj4yF3
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 21, 2016
After a field goal by the Cougars, the Broncos answered with a touchdown to take a 28-27 lead.
And like seven of BYU’s eight games this season, the game came down to the last second.
But BYU’s Hail Mary on the final play of the game wasn’t answered this year after pulling off an upset last year.
No. 14 Boise State holds off BYU 28-27. Cougars have now lost 4 games by a combined 8 points this year. #BYUvsBSU pic.twitter.com/FSR4Zm5Yic
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 21, 2016