BYU holds on for 28-27 win over Washington


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SEATTLE (AP) -- Jan Jorgensen busted through the line and blocked Ryan Perkins' 35-yard extra-point attempt with 2 seconds left in regulation, and No. 15 BYU held on to a 28-27 win over Washington on Saturday.

Jake Locker drove the Huskies 76 yards in 17 plays, capped by his 2-yard plunge to pull Washington within one. But Locker was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a point of emphasis for officials this season after the touchdown. Locker threw the ball in the air before jumping with his teammates in the end zone.

Perkins approached the kick slowly and hit it low, giving Jorgensen a chance to get his paws on the kick.

Max Hall led the Cougars with 339 yards passing and three touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to tight end Dennis Pitta with 3:31 left.

Locker accounted for 270 of Washington's 337 total yards.

BYU, dominant within the Mountain West Conference over the last two years, beat a non-conference opponent on the road for the first time since downing Utah State in the middle of the 2002 season. The Cougars hadn't knocked off a team from a BCS conference away from home since beating Mississippi State at the end of the 2001 season.

That streak is gone, and the Cougars (2-0) hopes of a perfect season and BCS bid passed the first hurdle, barely. Next up, No. 23 UCLA next Saturday in Provo, maybe BYU's biggest test between now and the regular season finale against rival Utah.

Washington (0-2) provided a stern test for the Cougars, looking nothing like the team that was routed 44-10 last week at Oregon, although another loss will only increase the heat on coach Tyrone Willingham.

After Hall's touchdown, Locker went to work. On fourth-and-10 at the Huskies 36, Locker raced for 13 yards to keep the drive alive.

Locker got Washington down to the BYU 29, but was called for intentional grounding with 36 seconds left. Locker then hit Goodwin near the sideline for a 20-yard gain to the BYU 18.

Locker bulled his way for 15 yards to the BYU 3. On third-and-goal, Washington spread the field and Locker kept the ball, stumbling into the end zone with 2 seconds left.

His celebration was apparently too much for the officials, who backed up Washington 15 yards, setting the stage for Jorgensen's block and a wild celebration by the Cougars.

Harvey Unga ran for 128 yards, and had a chance to give BYU the lead early in the fourth quarter, but fumbled at the goal line and Washington recovered. After the Cougars defense held, Hall led BYU 84 yards in less than 5 minutes for Pitta's touchdown.

Locker again was most of Washington's offense, running for a pair of scores and hitting freshman Jermaine Kearse on a 48-yard TD in the first half.

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TIM BOOTH sports writer

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