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| Tanner Mangum drops back to pass against Mississippi State (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photos) |
In Starkville, Mississippi yesterday, there were three plays that had a much more significant impact on BYU losing to Mississippi State by 25 points.
1. Ula Tolutau fumble at the Mississippi State 26-yard line (10:08, 2nd Quarter)
It was still a 7-0 game. Dayan Ghanwoloku had just returned his first interception 67 yards to give BYU the ball in excellent scoring position. BYU could have tied the game with a touchdown. That would have lifted the spirits of everyone on the Cougar sideline, and gotten the BYU fans in attendance into the game.
What happened instead was BYU reciprocating the turnover. Two plays into the drive, Ula Tolutau was stripped of the ball, and Mississippi State recovered. The Bulldogs took the ball down and scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession, as well as their next two possessions.
2. Akile Davis fumble recovery at the Mississippi State 29-yard line (0:37, 3rd Quarter)
Late in the third quarter, there was no signs pointing to a Cougar comeback. Trailing 28-3 with Mississippi State on the move again, the rest of the game was a formality. At least until Ghanwoloku made his second interception. Less than 15 seconds later, BYU was in the end zone. It was now a 28-10 game. On the ensuing kickoff, Mississippi State fumbled and BYU's Akile Davis made the recovery.
Just 29 yards away from the end zone, BYU would be in perfect position for an amazing comeback with another quick touchdown.
3. Tanner Mangum's interception (14:07, 4th Quarter)
BYU found itself in a 4th and 12 situation following Davis' fumble recovery. Tanner Mangum threw a pass to the end zone that was intercepted. That was the final nail in the coffin. The earlier touchdown was not a sign that the Cougar offense had turned a corner. There would be no comeback. To drive that point home, Mississippi State drove down the field and scored a touchdown to make it 35-10.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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