Familiar scene as BYU routes Hawaii in Provo

Freshman QB Zach Wilson played well in his first start (Scott G. winterton, Deseret News).

A week ago, BYU football found itself in a very unfamiliar place after receiving a licking from Utah State at home. The Cougars returned to a familiar place running away with a 49-23 win over the Hawaii Warriors.

The win kept BYU undefeated at home against its former conference rival.  The familiar foe and familiar outcome was just the beginning.

There was a familiar face on the Cougar sideline. Taysom Hill took advantage of the New Orleans Saints' bye week to return to Provo for the annual Homecoming game. In 2012, as a true freshman, Hill made his first career start at quarterback in BYU blue against Hawaii. Behind a strong ground attack, BYU put up over 40 points and won.

That win in 2012 ended a two-game losing skid for the Cougars, and moved BYU back above a 0.500 win percentage. BYU entered this year's game against Hawaii with a 3-3 record after back-to-back losses to Washington and Utah State.

The lack of offense in those two games prompted BYU coaches to give true freshman Zach Wilson his first start with the Warriors in town. Wilson picked up right where he left off last week.

He relieved Tanner Mangum in the waning moments of the Utah State loss, and drove BYU down the field for a touchdown. With Wilson at the helm Saturday, BYU scored touchdowns on its first two drives to take control of the game 14-0.

Wilson showed a lot of poise on the first drive completing five of six passes for 48 yards. He received a lot of support from a strong run game. Redshirt freshman Lopini Katoa carried the ball four times for 39 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run on 4th and 1.

Katoa celebrates his TD run (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News).

On the second scoring drive, Wilson used his legs to attack the Warrior defense. He had two carries for 29 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown run on 3rd and 15.

Not to be outdone, the Cougar D rebounded from its very lackluster performances the last two weeks. Hawaii came into the game with one of the most potent passing attacks in the nation. Warriors QB Cole McDonald had not thrown an interception in 145 pass attempts. Even after sitting out Hawaii's game last week, he was still very close to having the most passing yards and touchdowns in the nation.

That didn't intimidate Corbin Kaufusi and the rest of the BYU defense. Hawaii gained a total of 23 yards and picked up just two first downs on its first three drives of the game. The true test, however, came on the fourth drive of the game.

Wilson made one of his few mistakes of the game and threw an interception on BYU's third drive of the game. That gave Hawaii the ball with good field position. The Cougar D rose to the occasion and made a big fourth down stop to get the ball back, and preserve the two touchdown lead.

Corbin Kaufusi led a stout Cougar D (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News).

Following the turnover on downs, BYU marched 54 yards down the field in six plays. Five of those were runs, including Matt Hadley's 21-yard scamper that gave BYU a 21-0 lead.

Hawaii wasn't going to roll over and concede defeat that easy. They responded with a scoring drive that ended in a field goal to cut the lead to 21-3 with 4:24 to play in the first half.

Ideally, BYU would have used up nearly all of the remaining time on the clock before adding another touchdown just before going into the locker room. Following a 10-yard catch by Hawaii graduate-transfer Dylan Collie, BYU could not pick up another first down. That gave Hawaii the ball back with enough time to score and make it a two-score game.

On 3rd and 10, Austin Lee ended McDonald's interception-free streak. He intercepted the ball and returned it 36 yards. Wilson connected with true freshman tight end Dallin Holker for a 13-yard touchdown on the very next play. It was Holker's first career touchdown after a couple of close encounters earlier this year.

That put BYU up 28-3 at halftime. With such a commanding lead, it would seem like the game was too far out of reach. However, the Cougars came out sluggish in the second half. BYU did not pick up a first down on either of its first two drives of the second half. Meanwhile, Hawaii had scored a touchdown the first time it had the ball.

With the lead just 28-10, BYU punted the ball back to Hawaii. The Warrior return man dropped it, and Dayan Ghanwoloku was there to recover for the Cougars. For Ghanwoloku, who had missed the last two games nursing an injury, it was his second fumble recovery on a punt this season. (First came against Cal.)

That's when BYU turned to veteran running back Riley Burt. Last year, Burt had the best game of his career in the season finale at Hawaii (13 carries, 75 yards, one touchdown). He carried the ball five straight times, following the muffed punt, for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Burt's score gave BYU a 35-10 lead, but more importantly, kept the game from getting out of control. Hawaii, still, refused to fold, but the Cougars would go toe to toe with the Warriors in the second half. Each team scored three touchdowns, and BYU kept a comfortable lead throughout.

Neither team punted the rest of the game. They continued to trade touchdowns. Hawaii attempted a two-point conversion following its final score. It failed. BYU's final touchdown completed the circle of familiarity as Wilson connected with Gunner Romney in the waning moments in the same corner of the south end zone as he had just eight days prior.

BYU finished the game with 280 yards rushing on 47 carries (6.0 yard average), and with a respectable 45 percent third down conversion percentage (5/11). Two fourth down conversions (both touchdowns--Katoa and Romney) made up for two of the failed third down conversions.

The BYU defense came into the game averaging one sack per game. They got to the Hawaii quarterback four times (Khyiris Tonga, Isaiah Kaufusi, and Corbin Kaufusi twice).

Tonga had the first sack of the game for BYU (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News).

PLAY OF THE GAME: Austin Lee interception and 36-yard return.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Zach Wilson--16 of 24 (66.7%), 194 yards, 3 TD, 1 Int.; 6 rush, 16 yards, 1 TD.

NEXT: Northern Illinois, October 27, Time TBD.

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com