BYU cashes in on turnovers to clobber San Diego State
SAN DIEGO — Linebacker Kyle Van Noy forced a fumble in the end zone and recovered it for a touchdown, and scored on a 17-yard interception return, both in the fourth quarter, to lead BYU to a 23-6 victory over San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl on Thursday night.
The big plays swung the momentum for the Cougars (8-5) in what had been a tedious defensive struggle. San Diego State (9-4), playing in the hometown bowl for the second time in three years, missed the chance for its first 10-win season since 1977 and had its seven-game winning streak snapped.
Van Noy scored the game’s first TD when he came free and hit Adam Dingwell in the end zone, forcing and recovering a fumble for a 10-6 lead.
Dingwell fumbled the snap on SDSU’s next play from scrimmage and it was recovered by Jordan Johnson at the 14. Jamaal Williams scored on a run up the middle on the next play, BYU’s second TD in 17 seconds.
Auburn: The Tigers hired J.B. Grimes to coach the offensive line. Grimes has more than 30 years of college experience and worked for new Auburn coach Gus Malzahn last season at Arkansas State.
Florida State: The Seminoles hired Alabama secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Mark Stoops, who took the Kentucky job.
Louisiana State: Standout punter Brad Wing was suspended for the Tigers’ game against Clemson in the Chick-filA Bowl for an unspecified violation of team rules.
The announcement of Wing’s suspension Thursday by coach Les Miles means the sophomore from Australia will be replaced in the lineup by freshman Jamie Keehn, who is also Australian.
Utah State: The Aggies promoted offensive coordinator Matt Wells to head coach, replacing Gary Andersen.
Wisconsin: Gary Andersen was officially hired as the school’s new coach and will be formally introduced at a news conference today. He replaces Bret Bielema, who left for Arkansas.