Byu Hopes Win No. 13 Is Lucky Cougars, 13-1, Capture Wac Championship In Ot

Sixth-ranked BYU kept its hopes of a major bowl bid alive on the foot of Ethan Pochman, who kicked a field goal to tie Wyoming as time expired in regulation and then won Saturday’s WAC championship game 28-25 with a 32-yarder in overtime.

Pochman had four field goals in the game as BYU (13-1) took advantage of a questionable call by Wyoming coach Joe Tiller to send the inaugural WAC title game into overtime.

Though BYU’s high-powered offense sputtered in the second half, the Cougars did enough to overcome a Wyoming comeback and stay in contention for a possible Sugar or Fiesta bowl bid.

But on a day when Texas claimed a spot in the bowl alliance with a win over Nebraska, the inconsistent effort may not have been enough for BYU to get an eagerly sought spot in the alliance despite heavy lobbying by WAC officials. BYU could also go to the Cotton Bowl, while Wyoming’s season is over at 10-2.

Wyoming had come back from a 13-0 halftime deficit to take a 25-20 lead on two fourth-quarter touchdown catches by David Saraff.

But, after stopping BYU on the 2-yard-line with 2:57 left in the game, Wyoming was unable to move the ball and punter Aron Langley was in position to kick from the end zone.

Instead of punting the ball away, however, Langley took an intentional safety to pull BYU to within a field goal at 25-22. After a free kick, BYU took the ball on its own 40-yard line and drove down to the 3-yard line as the clock ticked down to 1 second left.

Pochman then calmly kicked a 20-yard field goal to tie the game, setting up overtime.

BYU won the overtime toss and elected to have Wyoming take the ball first. The Cowboys lost 5 yards in the series and a 47-yard field goal attempt by Corey Wedel missed slightly to the left.

BYU took over on its own 25 and was stopped at the 16 on a third-down play, setting up the 32-yarder that Pochman put through the center of the uprights to win the game.

The score set off a wild celebration as fans in the sold out Sam Boyd Silver Bowl stormed the field.

BYU led 13-0 when Wyoming got back in the game in the third quarter on a 24-yard fumble recovery by Jay Jenkins for a touchdown.

The touchdown seemed to wake up the Cowboys, who held BYU to 14 total yards and one first down in the third quarter while scoring 17 consecutive points to take their first lead.

Dimel takes Wyoming job

Dana Dimel, a former Kansas State player who has been offensive coordinator for the Wildcats the last two years, has accepted the head coaching job at Wyoming.

Dimel’s hiring was announced by Wyoming athletic director William Lee Moon, who said the contract is for five years.

Dimel succeeds Joe Tiller at Wyoming. Tiller has accepted the head coaching job at Purdue.

Tiller finished his tenure at Wyoming with a record of 39-29-1.