With Washington driving for the potential touchdown to win the match in the final minutes, Eathyn Manumaleuna BYU defensive end has the head on the road to Heisman Trophy hopes of Jake Locker fourth down pass, and the crown let out their collective breath as the ball fell harmlessly to the turf. The defense post with 1 minute 55 seconds remaining in the 25-yard line allowed the BYU Cougars to escape with a 23-17 victory in front of 63,731 fans sweating LaVell Edwards Stadium.
"I guess it is just luck," said Manumaleuna after describing how he stayed back a little because of the ability to run Locker.
If that name, along with tips after the game, sounds familiar, it should be. Manumaleuna has a finger on a field goal attempt from UCLA in 2007 Las Vegas Bowl to preserve a Cougar win in that contest.
His unusual strategy of rotating quarterbacks Jake Riley Nelson and piles in each set - without exception - however, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said the difference in the game was special teams, and Washington coach Steve Sarkisian - the former Cougar quarterback who was honored at halftime along with the other great BYU - did not disagree.
The Huskies handed the Cougars a two-point safety a punt snap sailed over punter Mahan head and in the end zone. Three times the Huskies were forced to begin within the units of the 7-yard line: Once BYU punter Riley Stephenson pinned them there, but twice when UW returner Chris Polk stupid mistakes.
"The story behind the game was field position," said Mendenhall, who picked up his 50th victory as head coach.
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