SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 20, 2012
Brigham Young 23, San Diego State 6: Linebacker Kyle Van Noy scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and blocked a punt as the Cougars downed the Aztecs in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.
Jamaal Williams rushed for a touchdown and Cody Hoffman had 10 receptions for 114 yards as Brigham Young (8-5) snapped the seven-game winning streak of San Diego State (9-4), which was seeking its first 10-win campaign since 1977.
The Aztecs took a 6-3 lead into the fourth but committed four of their five turnovers in the quarter - and Van Noy capitalized. He stripped the ball from San Diego State quarterback Adam Dingwell in the end zone and recovered it to give the Cougars a 10-6 lead with 12:32 remaining.
Dingwell then fumbled a snap on the ensuing possession and BYU’s Jordan Johnson recovered at the San Diego State 14. On the next play, Williams galloped up a huge hole up the middle to give the Cougars their second touchdown in a span of 17 seconds. Van Noy intercepted Dingwell six minutes later and returned it for a 17-yard score to give BYU a 23-6 lead with 6:09 remaining.
Chance Marden kicked two first-half field goals and Adam Muema rushed for 103 yards for the Aztecs, who converted just twice on 16 third-down opportunities.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hoffman finished the season with 100 receptions for 1,248 yards. … The 100-yard outing was Muema’s seventh of the season. … BYU QB James Lark was 23-of-42 for 244 yards and two interceptions. Dingwell was 12-of-29 for 144 yards and three interceptions.