Field Level Media
Oct 25, 2020
Zach Wilson completed 19-of-25 passes for 287 yards with four touchdowns Saturday to lead No. 12 BYU to a 52-14 rout of Texas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
The victory improved the Cougars to 6-0 for the first time in 12 years.
In the days leading up to Saturday's matchup, Texas State coach Jake Spavital mentioned Wilson as an emerging contender for the Heisman Trophy. The Cougars quarterback justified Spavital's comments with a dazzling performance, which included a 45-yard scoring strike thrown cross-field to Dax Milne just before halftime.
It was Wilson's Heisman highlight-reel moment, as the quarterback continues to build a case for himself - and it was the moment that effectively ended any Texas State realistic hope of a comeback.
The Bobcats (1-6) had recovered a fumble deep in BYU territory just moments prior, and were in position to close to within 28-14 just before the half. But they went four-and-out on a drive beginning from the 10-yard line, and Wilson took over from there.
The 45-yard score to Milne made it 35-7 at the intermission. Wilson had previously found Keanu Hill for a 33-yard touchdown connection, and Isaac Rex for a 3-yard score. Wilson called it a night just after halftime with a second touchdown throw to Rex, this one from 30 yards out.
Texas State led briefly, going 75 yards on eight plays in its opening drive, capped when quarterback Brady McBride found Marcell Barbee for a 19-yard touchdown.
McBride and Wilson combined to complete the game's first 12 pass attempts, with the Bobcats quarterback opening 7-for-7. He finished 17-of-30 for 150 yards, and threw a second touchdown to Barbee in the fourth quarter.
McBride also had two passes intercepted, one of which Isaiah Kaufusi returned 32 yards for a third-quarter score (and a 49-7 margin). The Cougars also got touchdowns from Lopini Katoa on a 4-yard run to cap BYU's opening drive, and an 11-yard rush from Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier led BYU with 76 yards on the ground.
--Field Level Media