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PROVO – Slightly under fire from critics for not being able to win any signature wins at home, BYU football coach Kalani Sitake did not bite when asked what was the Cougars' 30-27 victory in overtime on the USC, ranked 24th in a magnificent California Saturday afternoon at the LaVell Edwards Stadium will do for its future and its mediocre college football program.
"I'm just glad we can win and we still learn from it," said the fourth-year coach, who improved his overall record to 22-20 and his record against the Power Five teams at home at 2-5.
Players such as defensive heroes Dayan Ghanwoloku and Kavika Fonua and quarterback Zach Wilson did not hesitate to answer the question. However, Wilson scored for 280 yards and a touchdown without interceptions. third pass in overtime that Ghanwoloku had corrected for the win.
"It was huge," said Wilson, a sophomore who had totally thwarted the real first-year player who made his first start on the road in front of 62,546 fans, a little less. "It's a big win for us. It is easy to go Monday to learn of a win. There are so many things we need to improve on, but winning is huge. I am so proud of this team that fought. "
This is the kind of victory that Sitake can recall – with last year's win at No. 6 Wisconsin – proving that it seems the program is going in the right direction, despite the accumulation of huge losses (for BYU fans) rivals Utah, the state of Utah and the state of Boise.
Of course, Sitake would not rank that win at its best in Provo, but thousands of BYU students who stormed the field to celebrate the victory would probably put it in the forefront.
"I do not really care about that, man," says Sitake. "I'm just trying to coach football and have fun with these guys."
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Brigham Young Cougars celebrates his victory over the US Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea (55) of Brigham Young Cougars drops the ball and remains of quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) of the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU supporters stormed the field after BYU defeated USC in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU had won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young's Ty'Son Williams (5) running backs into the end zone against USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU supporters stormed the field after BYU defeated USC in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU had won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars dives for a touchdown against the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars celebrates his touchdown against the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars' 99-year-old defensive lineman Zac Dawe celebrates a USC stopover in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU has won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake was in line at Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Pout kicker Jake Oldroyd (39) of Brigham Young Cougars scored a field goal in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young's Ty'Son Williams (5) running backcourt defeated the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The wide receiver of Brigham Young Cougars, 18-year-old Gunner Romney, grabbed a pass to make a touchdown at Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars rushes against the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU has won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Kicker Skyler Southam (20) from Brigham Young Cougars will start against the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Running back Brigham Young Cougars, 33-year-old Emmanuel Esukpa rushes against the USC Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars travels to Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU has won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker, Zayne Anderson (23), is attempting to attack USC Trojans receiver Tyler Vaughns (21) in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU has won 30 to 27 in extension.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) toss Kedon Slovis (9) of the US Trojans quarterback to Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Bracken El-Bakri (93) celebrates his match in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Kyle Griffitts (42) and BYU celebrate their victory over the US Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea (55) of Brigham Young Cougars celebrates a sack on the US Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Dax Milne (82) could not get caught under pressure from USC Trojans scoring midfielder Chris Steele (8) in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars and USC Trojans play in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Dax Milne (82) hits USC midfielder Chase Williams (7) in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (53) from Brigham Young Cougars intercepts the US Trojans pass at Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) of Brigham Young Cougars intercepts the US Trojans pass to Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars is aiming for a first try at Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (95) of Brigham Young Cougars blocks a pass from quarterback USC Trojans Kedon Slovis (9) to Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU The Cougarettes occur in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU has won 30 to 27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Ezra Gutierrez watched the match in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU won 30-27 in overtime.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young defensive back Cougars Dayan Ghanwoloku (5) celebrates his touchdown against the US Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Quarterback Zach Wilson (1) of Brigham Young Cougars faces US $ Trojans in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Rider USC Vavae Malepeai (29) is attacked by BYU in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Nancy Davis throws a soccer ball during the front match at Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Cougar fans will applaud during the pre-game match in Provo on Saturday, September 14, 2019. BYU hosts No. 24 USC at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The USC Trojans fanfare enters the Provo stadium on Saturday, September 14, 2019.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
If BYU had not won, a curious decision made by Sitake towards the end of the third quarter with a score of 17-17 would have been presumed from here to heaven. Facing a fourth and two goals at USC 9, Sitake made the first try – several times, in fact, as officials had announced the first dead play – and Ghanwoloku had been stopped dead.
The Trojans, whose momentum has clearly passed, ran 92 yards in 13 games to take a 24-17 lead in 10 minutes and 45 seconds.
"I was selfish and wanted to get the first failure," said Sitake, who has never hesitated to blame for dubious decisions. "I'm honest. It was a fan moment for me. … I think Jake (Oldroyd) had just missed an investment. I believe in what we did. I will have to examine it and decide if I have made the right decision. "
It does not matter anymore. But oh, that could have. Until the brave quarterback and his hammer – Ty'Son Williams' 99-yard rider – regains control late.
BYU lost its cool after Utah took the advantage 16 days ago in Provo, but the Cougars lost their turn offensively and defensively this time against another competitor expected from Pac-12 South.
It was true even after the Trojans had scored a controversial strike – the 30-yard strike from Slovakia to Michael Pittman Jr. – which was allowed because the authorities had decided that Ghanwoloku had pushed Pittman out of the field and that the receiver restored his position inside before taking the ball.
"I thought it was offensive (pass interference), but whatever," Sitake said. "But they made big games. We had a blanket there. Credit to them. They could do the game. "
Sitake warming up, Sitake did everything to make his players, coordinators and assistants credible for the win.
"It's not about me and my games ranking," he said. "I'm just happy for our players and happy for the fans for the win. As a head coach, I have the best view of the house. There have been times when I was only a fan, enjoying what other coaches were calling. "
However, there was a lot to mess with.
For example, why did Pumas use gadget games – like the one where Ghanwoloku was stopped on the fourth try? And why did they try to hurry so much to catch the Trojans out of position?
In the third and third half of the third quarter, Williams was stopped at 2 yards in such a rushed attempt when the ball was broken with all offensive linemen looking towards the sideline. Perhaps having learned the snafu of the third quarter, Sitake sent Olrdroyd aside and he launched a 32-yard pass that reduced USC's lead to 24-20.
Wilson's 16-yard touchdown after Gunner Romney's 35-yard run pushed BYU to a 27-24 lead and sent the crowd into the game. USC's Chase McGrath scored a 52-yard goal to tie in at 1: 43 left. BYU seems to have entered the scorers 'field, but Williams' long run was canceled by the illegal lockout of Aleva Hifo.
"Zach is learning very fast and he has an incredible football IQ and an excellent cast," Sitake said. "He has an unparalleled work ethic. Then you associate it with our offensive line, our backs, our receivers and our tight ends, and I think we have something special.
It remains to be seen if the most popular coach among BYU fans since LaVell Edwards can turn this special event into another memorable moment against Washington at LES, but it certainly is a good point departure.
"I think it was big," Ghanwoloku said. "We are playing very far, like the big win in Tennessee and so on. It was good to win there and see all the fans, but obviously, seeing this environment at home is just crazy, seeing our fans happy, seeing them rushing to the field. That's what we live for. We want to win in front of them and protect LaVell's house, and that's what we did. "
And they could have given a big boost to their coach's future.
"It builds confidence, really," said Fonua, the defensive hero of last week in the 29-26 overtime win over Tennessee. "As for the end of the game, we did not doubt we were going to win it, like in Tennessee. This renewed confidence, being absent, is always good. Now, we are just trying to regain that confidence in our stadium. "
As Sitake said when he explained how the Couguars turned USC's air raid offense into a well-known attack: Mission accomplished.
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