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Sun Devils build up big lead, hold off BYU for bowl win
BYU Football News

Arizona State turned numerous BYU mistakes into points in building up a 39-3 lead, and then held off a furious 4th-quarter comeback attempt from the Cougars to win the Las Vegas Bowl, 52-39. The Cougars scored 30 points in a wild 4th quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome 5 turnovers and poor defense.

1st Team All-American junior QB Will Dunn had a rough game for BYU, throwing 3 interceptions, including two that were returned for TDs in the 1st half. Dunn did well after BYU fell behind by 36 points, accounting for 4 TDs to help keep the score respectable. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late for the Cougars.

Dunn and BYU put together a solid 1st drive, marching right into Sun Devil territory and deep into the red zone. Unfortunately, trouble struck early as Arizona State intercepted Dunn's pass and returned it 90 yards for the game's opening score. BYU would answer with a field goal, but it was all downhill after that.

Sun Devil QB Brandon Johnson and WR Lance Richardson hooked up for the 1st of two TD connections on the day and the Sun Devils got another interception return as time expired in the 1st half. On the final play of the half, Dunn dropped back to pass but got hit as he threw. The ball landed in the hands of the defensive end and he ran untouched to give the Sun Devils a 19-3 halftime advantage.

The 3rd quarter was even uglier than the previous two quarters, as the Sun Devils pushed their lead farther. RB Nick Holmes scored the 1st of 3 TD runs and Johnson fired 2 more TD passes to give ASU a 39-3 lead over the stunned Cougars.

BYU finally began to crack into the deficit when Dunn scored on a 5-yard run at the end of the 3rd quarter, but the Cougars still went into the final frame down 39-9.

Dunn accounted for 3 TDs and freshman WR/KR Ross Hill returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score as BYU put up 30 points in a frantic attempt to comeback, but Holmes scored 2 more TDs on the ground for ASU to put the game out of reach.

Dunn threw for 493 yards and 2 TDs on 35-of-63 passing and added 88 yards rushing and 2 scores, but his 3 interceptions proved to be too much for BYU to overcome. Junior WR Bryan Williams caught 13 passes for 231 yards and a score, while freshman WR Travis McCullar added 123 yards and TD.

Freshman RB Tim Brewer returned from injury for the bowl game but was largely ineffective against the tough Sun Devil defense, managing only 35 yards on 19 carries in his 1st game in over 10 weeks.

As for the winning Sun Devils, QB Johnson threw for 236 yards and 3 scores against the hapless BYU secondary. Two TDs went to WR Richardson, who totaled 171 yards on the day. RB Holmes piled up 131 yards rushing on 16 carries and scored 3 times. Arizona State's defense recorded 4 sacks, tons of hurries on Dunn and forced 5 turnovers.

BYU finishes their 2nd season under Coach Borland with a record of 8-5.

Box Score

ASU 6 : 13 : 20 : 13 - 52
BYU 3 : 0 : 6 : 30 - 39

1st Quarter
ASU --- O'Connor 90 INT return (kick blocked)
BYU --- Parker 30 FG

2nd Quarter
ASU --- Richardson 63 pass from Johnson (kick blocked)
ASU --- Thompson 58 INT return (McDaniel kick)

3rd Quarter
ASU --- Holmes 63 run (kick blocked)
ASU --- Richardson 62 pass from Johnson (McDaniel kick)
ASU --- Watts 17 pass from Johnson (McDaniel kick)
BYU --- Dunn 5 run (conversion failed)

4th Quarter
BYU --- B. Williams 16 pass from Dunn (Dunn pass to McCullar)
BYU --- McCullar 11 pass from Dunn (Dunn run)
ASU --- Holmes 1 run (McDaniel kick)
BYU --- Hill 93 kick return (kick blocked)
BYU --- Dunn 8 run (conversion failed)
ASU --- Holmes 33 run (Beck defensive conversion)

Team Stats

1st Downs:
ASU --- 15 ... BYU --- 39
Total Offense:
ASU --- 409 ... BYU --- 616
Rushes-Yards:
ASU --- 25-147 ... BYU --- 37-123
Passing (C-A-I):
ASU --- 12-19-2 ... BYU --- 35-63-3
Passing Yards:
ASU --- 262 ... BYU --- 493
Times Sacked:
ASU --- 5 ... BYU --- 4
3rd Down Conversions:
ASU --- 4-9 ... BYU --- 8-15
Turnovers:
ASU --- 3 ... BYU --- 5

Individual Stats

ARIZONA STATE

Brandon Johnson, QB --- 10 - 15 - 236 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 9 att. - 16 yds

Nick Holmes, RB --- 16 att. - 131 yds, 3 TD

Lance Richardson, WR --- 4 rec. - 171 yds, 2 TD
Joseph Watts, TE --- 3 rec. - 37 yds, TD

Donald Powell, CB --- 13 tkls, FF
Darryl Nicholson, MLB --- 9 tkls (2 TFL)
Josh Coleman, SS --- 7 tkls
Eddie Hunt, OLB --- 6 tkls (2 TFL)
Dustin Stukes, DE --- 6 tkls (1 TFL), 1 sack

BRIGHAM YOUNG

Will Dunn, QB --- 35 - 63 - 493 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT; 18 att. - 88 yds, 2 TD

Tim Brewer, RB --- 19 att. - 35 yds

Bryan Williams, WR --- 13 rec. - 231 yds, TD
Travis McCullar, WR --- 8 rec. - 123 yds, TD
Reggie Allen, WR --- 7 rec. - 90 yds
Ross Hill, WR --- 4 rec. - 34 yds; 131 KR yds, TD

Garrett Cooper, MLB --- 6 tkls (4 TFL), 3 sacks
Chad Mosley, DE --- 5 tkls (1 TFL)
Ed Holiday, CB --- 4 tkls, INT
Keith Castorani, DT --- 4 tkls (1 TFL), 1 sack