Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BERKELEY, California — The BYU Cougars traveled to Northern California to take on the Cal Golden Bears in the last regular-season game Saturday.
The Cougars came in as a four-point underdog and managed to win a 42-35 shootout that went to the very last play.
"What a game. B-Y-U cheers ring out throughout the stadium. Let's go bowling."
— The Roar Of Cougars (@byuROC) Nov. 30, 2014
BYU came and scored out of the gate, but Cal answered right back and that’s how it went until Cal took advantage of a big mistake by BYU QB Christian Stewart and running back Pail Lasike.
BYU ran a throw-option play on the 1-yard line and Stewart threw it in the ground and Lasike didn’t try to jump on the live ball. Cal picked it up and eventually turned it into seven points and took the lead.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid. That's an unbelievable mistake by the BYU offense. Stewart with the rotten throw, Lasike didn't go after the ball."
— Jared Lloyd (@JaredrLloyd) Nov. 29, 2014
"Why not let Algernon Brown or Lasike just pound the ball in from a yard out? Robert Anae out-smarted himself on that play. #BYU"
— Jake Hatch (@JakeHatch77) Nov. 29, 2014
"How is that the play call? Dr anae, what happened to your patented "up the middle" runs? And Stew, what's with the backwards pass on the 1?"
— Kirk (@kirkkinsey) Nov. 30, 2014
"Robert Anae has actually had a good game...up until that play call. Sometime he just wants to get cute. Someone needs to say no."
— Lafe Peavler (@LafePeavler) Nov. 30, 2014
Stewart sucked it up and the Cougar offense came back and marched down the field to tie the game.
After leading BYU receiver Mitch Matthews went out with concussion-like symptoms receiver Jordan Leslie stepped up and added two long TDs to give BYU the lead.
"How I wish Jordan Leslie had come to BYU as a freshman."
— Chad Cluff (@chadcluff) Nov. 30, 2014
"Anae deserves credit there. Well designed play. Jordan Leslie torches secondary en route to his 2nd TD. Stewart's 5th passing. 42-35 #BYU"
— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) Nov. 30, 2014
"#BYU's 'free agent' signings Jordan Leslie & Harvey Jackson have had outstanding games today. Ditto for 2 yr JC transfer Devon Blackmon."
— Jake Hatch (@JakeHatch77) Nov. 30, 2014
Cal got the ball back at the end of the game and managed to get into the red zone and had four plays to get into the end zone. It all came down to a fourth-and-goal with about 10 seconds left.
"Cal had four shots at keeping the game going and getting to a bowl game. Doesn’t happen, BYU will win. Still a huge turnaround for Dykes."
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) Nov. 30, 2014
The Cougars got their eighth win of the season and a lot of momentum heading into their bowl game in Miami.
"For a BYU team that really had nothing but pride to play for, to get a win against a motivated Cal team... I couldn't ask for a better end."
— Mark R-K (@Mark_RK) Nov. 30, 2014
"After a 4-1 start, Cal finishes 5-7 and misses a bowl. Progress in Year 2 under Dykes, but losing to BYU in finale a rough way to end it."
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) Nov. 30, 2014
BYU finishes the season 8-4 with three wins against Power 5 teams. John has been writing about movies, news, sports and pretty much anything awesome for more than five years. John is the co-host of the Flix Junkies podcast and will always entertain you with his stories. John is an alumnus of both Utah Valley Univers
