Last-minute TD helps BYU Football avoid shutout at Washington

Perhaps the only thing that needs to be said about no. 20 BYU’s offensive performance in a 35-7 loss to no. 11 Washington in Seattle is that the Cougs’ longest gain of the night came on a muffed punt that was recovered by the long snapper.

The Cougar defense, meanwhile, chased the Huskies up and down (mostly up) the field all night. Washington’s senior QB Jake Browning channeled his inner Alex Hornibrook, completing 92 percent of his passes for 277 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another touchdown, on a play where BYU’s defense seemed to have completely forgotten about him. UW running backs Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin combined for 167 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

BYU QB Tanner Mangum had perhaps his best game of the season, statistically speaking. The senior completed 18 of his 21 passes for 160 yards, but seven offensive penalties and an anemic rushing attack (the Cougs managed to gain only 1.2 yards per carry) prevented Mangum and his teammates from crossing the goal line until the last minute of the game, when Lopni Katoa’s 1-yard touchdown run capped a drive that was extended after UW punt returner Chico McClatcher dropped the ball, which was recovered by BYU long snapper Mitch Harris.

It is maybe fortunate that BYU does not have much time to dwell on this loss; 3-1 Utah State, coming off a bye week, is rolling into Provo Friday evening.