BYU football: BYU Cougars earn convincing win over Washington State

More BYU penalties helped WSU drive into BYU territory in the waning seconds of the first half. A WSU receiver caught a leaping touchdown pass from Tuel with five seconds remaining, but it was negated by a holding penalty. WSU settled for a field goal as the half ended, and BYU led 24-6 at intermission.

WSU squandered a 63-yard kickoff return by Teondray Caldwell to start the second half. At the end of that possession, Johnson picked off a pass and returned it 63 yards to the WSU 9-yard line. BYU settled for a 21-yard field goal to go up 27-6.

Stephenson struck again later in the third quarter when he drilled a 31-yard field goal as BYU claimed a 30-6 lead.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

BYU returns home next Saturday when it hosts Weber State at 1 p.m.

EXTRA POINTS: BYU was whistled for 10 penalties for minus-112 yards while WSU was penalized eight times for minus-73 yards. … BYU running back Michael Alisa gained a game-high 54 yards on 13 carries. … Freshman Jamaal Williams had six carries for 17 yards in his BYU debut. … BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy had two sacks and two tackles-for-loss.