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The BYU Cougars ended their regular season Saturday with a 50-14 victory over the New Mexico State Spartans.
The high score produced by the Cougars offense is the outcome of a strong game by wide receiver Cody Hoffman.
Hoffman scored five touchdowns for the Cougars, the most ever scored by a BYU player in a single game.
Hoffman received 12 passes for 182 yards, with his longest reception at 64 yards.
During the second quarter, Hoffman scored the team’s first touchdown on a gutsy fourth down call. This play created a spark in the offense and helped lead the team to its victory.
Hoffman’s other achievements this game include receiving for more than 1,000 yards and moving to fourth in career receptions.
Hoffman credits some of his success to quarterback James Lark.
"He put the ball where he needed to, and I was able to come down with them," Hoffman said. "It just shows the confidence he has in me and I have in him."
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall was particularly pleased with Hoffman's performance and is happy the Cougars have such a great player.
"It seems like everytime you throw it to him, it is in a critical situation, and something good happens," Mendenhall said. "Rarely does he drop one. He's made so many plays for our program. We are really lucky he's here."
Backup quarterback James Lark also had a strong game during his first career start.
Lark, a senior, has battled for many years to earn the starting position and finally had his chance to excel this week. Lark finished the game 34 of 50 for 384 yards and six touchdowns.
"It is a dream come true," Lark said. "That's the only way I can describe it, something I have been waiting for my whole life. I'm just happy."
“I was very impressed,” Mendenhall said of Lark's play. “I was just grateful to have a chance to let James show what he could do. I thought he managed the team really well, he threw the ball exceptionally well and he had so much fun.”
Junior JD Falslev also had a strong performance for the Cougars, receiving for 68 yards and one touchdown. Falslev also returned the ball for 132 yards, including a 42-yard punt return.
The Cougars' rushing tally was not as large as many expected it to be, and the New Mexico State defense did what it could to minimize the run.
Freshman Jamaal Williams led the team in rushing with 62 yards on 19 carries.
Only one rushing touchdown was accomplished during the game. Zed Mendenhall rushed for a touchdown in the closing minutes of the game.
BYU’s defense also played a decent game after allowing NMSU the first touchdown of the game.
Ashley Anderson is a senior at BYU majoring in public relations with the hope of one day having a career in sports public relations.
