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Read KSL's Take herePostgame reportAfter a disappointing road loss against TCU, it looked like UNLV would be the perfect remedy for BYU to bounce back. After all the Rebels were on a 3 game losing streak and had yet to win a conference game. However, BYU got all they could handle as UNLV took BYU to the final play of the game.
Sophomore defensive back Andrew Rich said, "You know it was big for our team, the ball was just up there and I just happened to be in the right place. I think that if I didn't make the play, there was four guys around me that would have."
"This was one of the funnest football games that I've ever been a part of, a back and forth game, a battle all the way to the end, to a last second play, and we came out on top," said junior quarterback Max Hall. "Just a phenomenal game and a lot of fun for us."
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said, "It comes down to one play, which fortunately we made. It's a great feeling. I'm proud of our players for the grit and the heart they showed."
When asked if he thought the game would go back and forth so much today, senior linebacker David Nixon replied, "I didn't. I thought we would be able to take care of them. At the same time we knew they were an explosive offense. They've shown glimpses of that at Arizona St. They've done really well against a lot of good opponents. We expected them to come out here and fight and they sure did. It was a game that went back and forth. Our goal was to just stick with them and keep making plays and fortunate at the end to make the biggest play of the day."
While UNLV's pass attack hit BYU for 351 yards, Max Hall was 24-31 for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns. BYU's runs game rebounded big time from last week, just 23 yards against TCU, but today 209 yards against the Rebels.
Hall said, "I think our offensive line and runningbacks and me getting together and really taking pride in the running game and getting the checks right and blocking them right; that's how we should come to play every single Saturday. I'm proud of the O-Line and how they played, the runningbacks, it was just an all-around team effort and a great day."
When asked was talked about in the huddle on your (BYU's) final drive of the game, Hall said, "There was about six minutes left and said 'Guys, this is probably the last time we'll get the ball, so lets make it count. We have to go down and score, if we go down and score we'll win the game, and they responded. I had plenty of time to throw the ball. Mike had a couple of catches early to get us going, we ran the ball well, and we finished it off. That's what it's all about. Again, proud of them and the way they responded and finished the game."
That 2 point conversion was something the team did not practice a lot. Hall said, "That was actually a new one this week. It's something we put in and I'm glad we did because it was much needed"
Fui Vakapuna, a senior runningback, said, "They gave a run for our money. At the end we stayed composed, we were efficient and we made plays and came out winning."
Now that the Cougars have tied the school record with 17 straight home victories, they now hit the road. Three of their final four games are away from LaVell Edwards Stadium. Next Saturday they are at Colorado St.
