Week 10 - #5 BYU (8-0) @ SJSU (4-4) – Sat Nov 7, 2015 – 10:15 EST – ESPN2

BYU is rolling and is really only a tough road test against Mizzou from sealing their fate as the first independent team to play in CFP. Perfect trap game. SJSU returned 15 starters from last year’s team, including their top QB, RB, 3 WR’s and 4 of 5 OL. BYU lost the last time they traveled to San Jose, so they shouldn’t take the Spartans lightly, but they do. SJSU opened the year by blitzing New Hampshire, then suffering 3 heart-breaking losses on the road to AFA, Auburn and Oregon State. Since then they’ve rattled off 3 straight dominating wins in MWC play and have a bye week to prep for the Cougars.

Once SJSU goes up 17-3 in the first quarter, Taysom pulls the guys together and is visibly upset and yelling at the team. Our DB’s have been beat several times on long balls and there have been several miscues on offense as well. Everyone just seems out of it.

Taysom manufactures something out of nothing and manages to scramble into the endzone just before halftime to secure a single-digit deficit going into the half. 17-10. As BYU starts the second half the cameras notice that every single player has “ThisIsY” written in black ink on their arms and the team comes out of the locker room hand in hand and ready to play.

“It’s sad it took a horrible half to get them to do this,” said Bronco afterward, “but this might be the neatest experience I’ve ever had as a coach.” SJSU doesn’t quit but only manages 10 more points. Thankfully Taysom hits Mathews for 2 Td’s in the 3rd quarter and Algie Brown rumbles into the endzone for another TD in the 4th to seal the victory. It wasn’t pretty…but it’s a “W”. 31-27.

Player of the Game – Taysom Hill – 22/34, 276 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT, 15 rushes, 122 yds, 2 TD’s.