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SAN DIEGO — The BYU Cougars finished their season in San Diego on a high note.
The Cougars took on the Sand Diego State Aztecs in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. The game was slow at best for three quarters.
The SDSU offense ran all over the field in the first half, but they could not manage to punch the ball into the end zone. The BYU offense, on the other hand, couldn't seem to get a first down.
"The BYU offense continues to be down right offensive. So painful," tweeted @davidpollack47.
Senior QB James Lark got the start for the bowl game and it was tough going for most of the game.
"What we've got from Lark has been pretty clear. Doman afraid to do anything too complex, apparently. And the run game is broken," tweeted @VanquishTheFoe.
At one point in the first half the Cougars brought Nelson back in at QB and in his one series he threw an interception.
"Folks who save money switching to GEICO sure are happy. How happy are they Jimmy? Happier than Rocky Long after Riley Nelson comes in," tweeted the Des News.com's @theshums.
That's all we'd see Nelson in the game. The half ended with a BYU field goal to cut SDSU's lead to 6-3.
The third quarter went much the same way and then Kyle Van Noy decided he wanted to win the bowl game all on his own.
Well, I guess the defense can do it all...KVN is a complete freak," @BrandonCGurney after Van Noy blocked a punt and then caused a fumble in the end zone and fell on it for a TD.
After that TD SDSU fumbled on their next play, BYU recovered and then Jamaal Williams ran it in from 14 yards out.
"Jamaal Williams 14-yd TD run puts the Cougars up 16-6 (XP no good). BYU scored 13 pts in 18 seconds," tweeted @ESPNCFB.
At that point BYU was up 16-6 after trailing earlier in the fourth. Then SDSU's QB was rushed out of his own end zone by Spencer Hadely and then threw a pick six to who else? Kyle Van Noy.
"Kyle. Van. Noy. Pick and touchdown of 17-yard run. Has both BYU touchdowns tonight. Just made NFL stock rocket," tweeted Deseret News' @Harmonwrites.
The BYU turned on the jets in the fourth and took home the 23-6 win, but the story of the night was Kyle Van Noy.
The big question now is whether Van Noy will return to BYU or head for the NFL, but after tonight ESPN draft expert Todd McShay thinks it's an easy call.
"My goodness, Kyle Van Noy," tweeted @McShay13. "Have a night! Versatility = $."
