- Nov 17, 2012 - #8 BYU (10-1) @ SJSU San Jose, CA ESPN2 10pm EST

Hoffman Shines as BYU Makes Case for BCS At-Large Bid

For the first time this season Bronco publicly acknowledges BYUs BCS chances stating that the team has worked so hard and diligently for this opportunity and it would be a shame to not get that chance. I think BYUs brand is strong enough, as shown by our contract with ESPN and how well we travel that we would be a very desirable candidate for any BCS bowl, including and maybe especially those out west.

Riley, calmly refuses to answer BCS questions, simply stating we have 2 more gamesif we lose on Saturday then theres no point to even thinking about it. We are focused on the Spartans and know that if we dont bring our A-game that we can lose to anyone.

Rileys focus, grit and resolve seem to resonate with the team who seem very serious and prepared. Unfortunately the early part of this game, which was just picked up by ESPN2 because of BYUs ranking, doesnt go as planned. In an effort to get a first down Riley spins forward and gets the ball popped out of his hands by a Spartan players helmet. It travels about 15 yards across the field and away from the play. Sadly the closest player is a SJSU DB who scoops it up and scores. BYU responds by scoring a TD of their own later in the first quarter. But to start the 2nd Rileys throw to Hine out of the backfield is high, it bounces off his hands and into the lap of the Spartan safety. SJSU scores again on a tricky reverse pass that KVN just barely missed. After a beautiful TD catch by Hoffman, Sorenson nails a 34 yard FG to give BYU a 17-14 halftime lead. This game is not going as planned and a few unfortunate mistakes are making it look closer than it really is.

Then comes the 3rd quarter. Hoffman returns the opening kickoff for a TD. Johnson makes a beautiful interception that is later turned into a TD by a great pass from Riley to Apo. Then later in the 3rd an incredible 3rd and long catch by Hoffman sets up a beautiful run by Hine, who literally juked the shoes off of a SJSU DB on his TD run. The score settles at 38-14 as the teams get ready for the 4th. Coach Doman and Mendenhall feel comfortable with the lead and let Hill play the entire 4th.

Early on they are really letting him sling it around because they want him to be able to get some real passes in. Hill looks pretty efficient going 4/7 for 51 yards. Quezada scored one more TD and BYU wins 45-14.

Player of the game: Hoffman 8 rec, 139 yards, 2 TDs, 1 KO ret for TD, 96 yards