BYU COUGARS

Hall Connects With Nacua To Give BYU Lead Over Boise State

Nov 5, 2022, 7:35 PM | Updated: 7:37 pm

Puka-Nacua-BYU-Cougars...

BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua (Courtesy of BYU Photo)

(Courtesy of BYU Photo)

BOISE, IdahoBYU quarterback Jaren Hall found Puka Nacua in the end zone to give the Cougars a second half lead against the Boise State Broncos.

The Broncos hosted the Cougars at Albertsons Stadium on Saturday, November 5.

With 25 seconds left in the third quarter, Hall tossed a ball over the head of a Boise State defender and into the hands of Nacua, who came down with two feet inbounds for the touchdown catch.

The strike went for 24 yards and six points.

Nacua’s reception helped give BYU a 17-14 lead.

After the score, Hall was 23/34 passing for 246 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also had nine carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. Nacua had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Hall’s pass tied himself with Taysom Hill for 15th place on the Cougars’ all-time passing touchdowns list with 43.

This season, Hall has thrown for 2,245 yards, 21 touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 65.6 percent completion rate. Hall has also run the ball 58 times for 182 yards.

Nacua entered the game with 26 catches for 382 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.

BYU’s game against Boise State is broadcast on FS2, KSL NewsRadio, and KSLSports.com.

BYU vs. Boise State

BYU vs Boise State has become one of the best annual matchups in college football out west. The final chapter takes place tonight on ‘The Blue.’

BYU will be going to the Big 12 Conference beginning in 2023. With that move, BYU and Boise State won’t play anytime soon. So even though BYU comes into this matchup on a four-game losing streak, it’s always a big game when these two square off.

“This is a rivalry game, and we don’t know what the future holds for it. I have a lot of respect for their coaching staff and their team,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. “They have an identity on offense. Andy [Avalos] has done a great job with the defense. They’re one of the top defenses in the country. This is not an easy game. I know a lot of the players on that roster. I have tons of respect for their fan base and the energy they provide for their team. It’s a unique and fun atmosphere.”

Boise State is headed in a completely different direction than BYU. The Broncos are on a four-game winning streak since firing offensive coordinator Tim Plough.

BYU trails the all-time series against Boise State, 4-8. The series began in 2003 and then became an annual matchup in 2012, one year after BYU became an FBS Independent.

 

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Game Day Notes

  • The weather at kickoff here in Boise is calling for 46 degrees and mostly cloudy. With a 1% chance of rain. The low will dip to 42 degrees.
  • BYU has never played a game on FS2. Here’s how you can watch today’s game.
  • BYU running back Chris Brooks is “doubtful” to play.
  • Boise State is 5-1 against BYU on The Blue turf. BYU won the last meeting in Boise in 2020.
  • Boise State is holding a food drive to benefit the Boise State Food Pantry on campus.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

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Hall Connects With Nacua To Give BYU Lead Over Boise State