Boise State stops late two-point conversion attempt to beat Brigham Young, 7-6

Defensive tackle Mike Atkinson returned a second-half interception 36 yards for a touchdown and #24 Boise State survived a four-quarter rally to beat Brigham Young 7-6 in a game dominated by defense.

Boise State forced five turnovers and held Brigham Young to 200 total yards. BYU were held scoreless until the final minutes of the game, when backup freshman quarterback Taysom Hill scored on a 4-yard run. Then, with 3:37 remaining, Brigham Young head coach Bronco Mendenhall elected to go for the win and the team's first-ever win over Boise State, but Hill's pass on the run was deflected by a defender and fell incomplete in the end zone.

Boise State, helped by a long kick return, ran out the clock to win their third straight game against Brigham Young.

The Boise State offense managed just 261 yards. Running back D.J. Harper led the way, rushing for 112 yards on 31 carries. Joe Southwick struggled, mostly on third and fourth downs. He completed completed 15 of 25 passes for 145 yards.

Boise State failed five times on fourth down attempts. Most of those attempts came in Brigham Young territory and after Michael Frisina missed a 33-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.

After a scoreless first half, Mike Atkinson finally put some points on the board. On Brigham Young's first possession of the second half, Atkinson dropped back in pass coverage and stepped in front of Riley Nelson's short pass. Atkinson then rumbled 36 yards for a touchdown to put Boise State up 7-0.

Nelson was benched after throwing his third interception of the game on the next possession and replaced by Taysom Hill.

Hill's legs finally provided Brigham Young with a spark on offense. In their final possesion he engineered an 11-play, 95-yard drive that was helped early by a Boise State personal fou. Hill completed 3 of 5 passes on the drive and rushed for 39 yards.

He finished the game 4 of 10 for 42 yards and he led Brigham Young with 72 yards on 12 carries.

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