BYU wins game it needed to in front of national TV audience

And plenty of swagger.

Led by Kyle Van Noy sacks, sophomore corner Jordan Johnson lived up to billing. Johnson picked off Jeff Tuel and returned it 64 yards to set up a BYU field goal and 27-3 advantage in the third quarter. Earlier, safety Daniel Sorensen tipped a pass that Uona Kaveinga intercepted in the first half.

The minus-5 rushing yards allowed were the fewest a team coached by Bronco Mendenhall has ever allowed.

Leach's Air Raid attack, albeit newly installed with a senior quarterback, didn't get in the end zone — even with a Pac-12 officiating crew doing some serious nylon whipping of Mendenhall's defense (10 penalties for 112 yards).

BYU corners covered and tackled. The Cougars executed a nice nickel coverage, sending Joe Sampson as a designated playmaker. The Cougar front seven looked good as advertised — fast and experienced.

Bottom line?

This is a game BYU was favored by 13 points. It was a contest against a Pac-12 foe that BYU absolutely had to win in a home opener on ESPN with several national pundits on hand to cover the return of WSU coach Leach.

With 29 seniors on his squad, Bronco Mendenhall needed this win and had to look decent out of the chute.

Done.

Email: dharmon@desnews.com