Nick Wagner, Nick Wagner
Brigham Young punter Jonny Linehan (31) runs with the ball in a fake punt during the first half of an NCAA football game between Boise State and Brigham Young in Boise on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016.
BOISE — If nothing else, BYU and Boise State provided a season full of highlights and lowlights Thursday at Albertsons Stadium.
ESPN, which televised the late-night game, had to have loved every minute of it.
The first half alone produced a 76-yard touchdown pass by the Broncos on the third play from scrimmage; a blocked field goal by Cougar defensive back Dayan Lake that was returned 25 yards by Kai Nacua; a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown by BYU linebacker Fred Warner; a head-scratching fake punt attempt by Cougar punter Jonny Linehan on fourth-and-19 (he took the snap deep in his own end zone and was tackled at the 2-yard line); a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown by Lake; a fumble recovery by Nacua after a 25-yard run by BSU’s Jeremy McNichols; and a 36-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds before intermission.