BYU 65-6
Logan (20,103)
Summary
Gifford Nielsen 30/40, 321 yards, 6 TD (three more potential TDs were not caught...opening of third quarter VanDerWouden bounced off fingertips, soon after Chronister couldn't hold deflected pass in end zone, George Harris dropped a long touchdown) keeps him in Heisman talk
Utah State coach Bruce Snyder's plan was to keep the ball out of Nielsen's hands
Eric Hipple fumbled on the third play of the game, a bad handoff, and Nielsen capitalized with a 33-yard touchdown to John VanDerWouden, who hauled in a finger-tip grab and outran Aggie defenders
Two plays Aggie plays later, Gary Wolz fumbled. Nielsen hit Thompson for 15, VanDerWouden for nine and then after a few penalties, Todd Christensen for five and a score as BYU led 14-0 after 4:20
Nielsen threw touchdown pass to Chronister in the flat
Edwards took Nielsen out with about three minutes left in the first half and again with 3:46 in the third quarter
Offensive line gave time, with so many weapons (Christensen, Harris, Chronister, VDW, Thompson, Gourley, Zwahlen, Younger, Ring) Utah St could not double-team and defensive line (said perhaps best ever in school history) allowed BYU TOP advantage 34:10 to 25:50
Utah State lost two players: Kelly Stroich, SR LB, suffered broken neck and will be in body cast for 12 weeks, and soph NG Dennis McCullins, out for season
BYU players were cheered by Utah State fans as they left the field
References
- "Cougars' Air Attack Keeps Ags Grounded." Miller, Hack. Deseret News. 26 Sep 1977.
