Fans file into the stadium as BYU and Notre Dame play Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 in South Bend.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — BYU quarterback Riley Nelson recovered from an early interception to throw two touchdown passes and the Cougar defense has held the Irish offense in check as BYU leads Notre Dame, 14-7, at halftime.
The Cougars have done well moving the ball against the vaunted Irish defense after Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o intercepted Nelson on BYU's first offensive drive of the game.
After Irish quarterback Tommy Rees found tight end Tyler Eifert for Notre Dame's first score, running back Jamaal Williams led the Cougars into the red zone, where Nelson eventually found Cody Hoffman wide open in the end zone for BYU's first score.
Kyle Van Noy later picked off a tipped pass from Rees to set the Cougars up with excellent field position, and a Notre Dame penalty helped BYU move inside the Irish 10. Tight end Kaneakua Friel hung on to a Nelson pass to give BYU the lead. Replays confirmed the catch.
Notre Dame kicker Kyle Brindza has missed two field goal attempts.
Email: lshumway@desnews.com, Twitter: TheShums
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I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised that they could play at this level. ND is an excellent team and it was understandable that we could sense the tide turning in the 3rd quarter. Riley has to execute better and make fewer bad pass More..
I am a Riley fan, but he tends to throw a really bad pass after a bad play. The defense is really playing well. At least BYU isn't the only team with trouble in the field goal game.
GO COUGS!!!
You just never know what the Cougs are going to do. If they keep this up I may get to dust off and wear my BYU tie tomorrow. Tear em up Cougs!