Boise State edges BYU in showcase for defenses

BOISE, Idaho - Michael Atkinson often has talked with his Boise State teammates about that rare moment of glory for a nose tackle: the elusive pick six.

That heroic moment finally came Thursday night when he dropped back into pass coverage, stepped in front of a throw by Brigham Young quarterback Riley Nelson and rumbled 36 yards for a touchdown.

His score turned out to be the difference as the No. 24 Broncos held off a late rally to beat the Cougars 7-6 in a game dominated by defenses.

"We always talk about getting interceptions and taking it to the house," said Atkinson, a 6-foot, 312-pound Canadian who goes by the nickname "Canadian Bacon." "We always talk about it happening, but it rarely does. You don't think when it's happening; you just react."

The Boise State defense also forced five turnovers and held BYU (2-2) scoreless until the final minutes.

With 8:03 left, BYU backup quarterback Taysom Hill engineered an 11-play, 95-yard drive capped by his 4-yard touchdown run. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall then gambled, electing to go for a 2-point conversion to try to secure the Cougars' first victory over Boise State.

Hill dropped back to pass and immediately was flushed out of the pocket, and his on-the-run throw was deflected by linebacker J.C. Percy and fell incomplete into the end zone.

"I wanted to win," Mendenhall said. "We had momentum for the first time in the game, moving the ball offensively. We wanted to capitalize on it. I'd do it again."

The Broncos (2-1), aided by a 40-yard kick return by Mitch Burroughs, ran out the clock.

BYU's defense, which had allowed an average of 14.3 points per game and 59 yards rushing, held Boise State to 261 yards of offense. Broncos running back D.J. Harper rushed for 112 yards on 31 carries.

Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick was 15 of 25 for 145 yards, and he and the offense failed to convert five times on fourth-down attempts.

Nelson was benched after going 4 of 9 for 19 yards with three interceptions. Hill was 4 of 10 passing for 42 yards and led BYU with 72 yards rushing on 12 carries. The Cougars amassed only 200 yards of offense and lost two fumbles.

Though Hill energized BYU late, Mendenhall made sure to douse speculation Nelson will be replaced as the starter for the Sept. 28 game against Hawaii.

"Riley is our quarterback," Mendenhall said after the game. "I want him to be healthy, and I want him to be able to look me in the eye and tell me, 'Coach, I am absolutely ready.' I don't have any different feelings about him than I did going into this game."