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BYU stuns Arizona, opens season with 28-23 victory over Wildcats

Tucson, Ariz. • All those changes the BYU Cougars made after suffering through their worst football season in nearly five decades paid off on Saturday night.

Squally Canada ran for three short touchdowns as BYU surprised Arizona 28-23 in the season opener for both teams.

Tanner Mangum added a touchdown pass to Matt Bushman and threw for more than 200 yards as the Cougars overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit with three third-quarter touchdowns when new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ attack was simply brilliant.

Double-digit underdogs, BYU took a 7-0 lead on Canada’s 1-yard touchdown run, then watched Arizona reel off 10 unanswered points to the delight of the Arizona Stadium crowd, announced as 51,002.