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Defense struggles early against FCS opponent, but the Cougars offense does enough to ensure a 52-26 Senior Day win.

Provo • For a while, it looked like BYU would be in a brawl with an FCS opponent.

There were even moments when the Trailblazers threatened to bust the Cougars’ 17-0 all-time record against lower-division teams.

But eventually, late in the third quarter, BYU’s offense turned a one-score game into a 35-20 lead. Then as the fourth quarter elapsed, a moderately interesting game turned into a blowout.

The final result was a 52-26 win over the Trailblazers, helping BYU backdoor its way into a sixth win and bowl eligibility.

Jaren Hall finished 23-of-35 for a career-high 456 yards and six total touchdowns. He also had a third-quarter interception. Keanu Hill had six catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Brooks added 102 rushing yards.

BYU’s defense struggled for most of the day as Utah Tech took the lead three times in the first half. The combination of busted coverages and penalties allowed the FCS team to tally 275 of offense in the first half. BYU trailed 20-14 late in the second quarter after giving up an 80-yard Deven Osborne touchdown and a 9-yard Joey Hobert scoring grab.

Overall, the defense allowed 396 yards and over five yards per play. Utah Tech also converted on three long third downs, something that has hampered the Cougars’ defense all year.

BYU’s offense, for the most part, gave the Cougars enough to win the game. Deep shots down the field routinely gave the offense enough firepower to stake by. Chase Roberts and Keanu Hill both had touchdowns of over 45 yards.

Hall’s 10-yard rushing touchdown with 3:41 left in the third quarter gave BYU its lasting lead to salvage Senior Day.