BOISE – The Boise State football team suffered a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to BYU on Saturday night in the final scheduled regular season meeting between the two teams.
And BYU has a photo to remember it.
The Cougars posed for a team photo on The Blue with the scoreboard in the background after the game to commemorate the win in the final scheduled game between the two teams. The rivalry is ending, at least for now, with BYU joining the Big 12 next season.
BYU took the lead on a 6-yard pass from Jaren Hall to Puka Nacua with 1:46 left, and the Broncos turned it over on downs on the ensuing possession.
“We just didn’t play four quarters of our best football,” coach Andy Avalos said. “This game came down to more than just one play. This game came down to multiple plays that we can learn from and be better from.”
Boise State’s defense, which entered as the No. 2 total defense in the country, allowed 532 yards of offense to BYU and gave up 21 points in the final 15:25 of the game.
The Broncos took the lead on three different occasions in the second half, but BYU responded and took it back each time. For as good as the Boise State defense has been all season, they struggled to stop a BYU team that had lost four games in a row coming in.
Quarterback Taylen Green was 17 of 23 for 220 yards and two touchdowns for the Broncos, while running back George Holani had 20 carries for 73 yards and two scores.
“There’s no moral victories,” Avalos said.
Boise State’s defense had two interceptions and a huge goal line stop on the final play of the first half, but couldn’t do enough to slow the BYU quarterback Hall. He had 377 passing yards and 82 rushing yards while accounting for four touchdowns.
While the loss likely eliminates the Broncos from New Year’s Six Bowl consideration, it did nothing to impact their Mountain West title hopes. Boise State has three league games left, starting with Saturday at Nevada, and will be assured of hosting the conference championship with wins in all three games.
“All of our goals are still right out in front of us, and that’s the bottom line,” Avalos said.
B.J. Rains and Kent Riddle broke the game down on the Lithia Ford of Boise Postgame Show. Watch it here:
Coach Andy Avalos and players met with the media following the loss. Watch those interviews here: