BYU football: Defense makes plays when it matters

SAN DIEGO — BYU's defense couldn't pressure San Diego State's quarterback into making mistakes, or prevent him from making big plays, for most of Saturday's 38-28 win.

Until it really mattered.

Using a shifting pocket, with max-protect formations keeping their running backs in blocking position, the Aztecs' speedy receivers outran BYU's zone coverage for most of the day. And QB Ryan Lindley looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate.

But when making stops counted, BYU delivered. It started with senior safety Scott Johnson's interception of Lindley in the end zone when the Aztecs tried to take the lead late in the first half. The pick came after SDSU had scored on two consecutive possessions.

Lindley attempted a 9-yard touchdown pass, sprinting out as he looked to his right before coming back to receiver Roberto Wallace, who streaked across the goal line on a square out.

"I saw him coming back over the middle, and I came up and cut him off," said Johnson. It was his third interception in two games.

At that stage, the game looked like a tennis match, just like many games between these two teams have over the years.

"Any time you can make a team break serve in that situation, it's big, if you use that tennis analogy," said Johnson.

"It was huge. It turned the game around," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall.

"It was a 14-point turnaround," said Johnson.

The Cougars then took a 21-14 lead on a Max Hall touchdown run as the first half ended.

"It was evident (that) they were more rested than we were," said safety Andrew Rich.

BYU's defense gave up huge plays to Lindley through most of the game, including big strikes to the NCAA's No. 3-ranked receiver, Vincent Brown.

But while Brown had six catches for 142 yards in the first half, he managed just two receptions for 6 yards in the final two quarters.

Lindley finished with 21-of-33 pass completions for 298 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Nursing a one-touchdown lead late in the game, BYU cornerback Brian Logan and linebacker Jordon Pendleton, who was asked to cover San Diego State receivers, knocked down a series of passes on two last-gasp possessions by the Aztecs.