61. 9/30/16 - Jamaal Williams’ record-breaking rushing game ends with game-winning FG: BYU Cougars - 55, Toledo Rockets - 53

             The first ever meeting between the BYU Cougars (1-3) and the Toledo Rockets (3-0) turned into a firework show. After a close win over Arizona, the Cougars had lost three straight games by a grand total of 7 points. Although they hoped to blow out the Rockets, BYU just needed a “W” to get back on track if they wanted any chance at a decent bowl game.

            The Cougars pulled out the stops on the very first play, scoring a 75-yard TD on a pass from Taysom Hill that Jona Trinnaman caught in stride at the Toledo 30, and sprinted untouched into the end zone for the early lead. The Rockets responded, going 75 yards in a less efficient 7 plays, scoring on an 8-yard jaunt by Terry Swanson. Midway through the first quarter, the Cougars embarked on a 72-yard march that relied heavily on senior RB Jamaal Williams, which he punctuated with a 1-yard TD rush. When Dayan Lake intercepted a deflected pass and ran it back to the Toledo 13, the Cougars were primed to extend their lead. Two plays later, Williams lunged over the line for another TD, this one from 2 yards out, to give the Cougs a 21-7 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first. Unfortunately, it was Toledo’s turn to blast past the defense with a 79-yard TD reception by Jon’Vea Johnson, who caught it near midfield shrugged off a tackle, and raced to the end zone to cut the Cougar lead in half; 21-14.

            After such an explosive first quarter, the second quarter was relatively quiet. Poor field position and great Rocket coverage hobbled the Cougars, forcing four straight punts. The Toledo Offense, however engineered two significant drives. The first was capped by a 26-yard TD reception by Corey Jones. The second ended in a blocked FGA, when 6’9” DL Corbin Kaufusi fortuitously batted away the kick. The half ended with the score knotted at 21-all.

            As the second half started, the Rockets launched an offensive assault that wouldn’t relent. On their opening possession, they flew 83 yards in 9 plays, scoring with a 12-yard pass to J. Johnson. On the bright side, whatever Coach Sitake said in the locker room seemed to wake up the Cougar Offense. They responded in two plays: the first a 24-yard reception by Algie Brown; the second a 48-yard dash by Williams, who tied the score at 28 with his third TD of the day. A 64-yard drive by Toledo was capped by a 28-yard FG, giving the Rockets another lead. How did the Cougars respond?  *After advancing the ball to their 38, Hill handed off to Jamaal Williams, who broke through the line and followed WR Nick Kurtz up the left sideline. Kurtz held off the Rocket defenders long enough to allow Williams to rumble into the end zone with a 62-yard TD - his 4th TD on the night (#95). However, the Rockets were resilient. They launched another 83-yard TD drive. This one ended with a 15-yard TD catch by Johnson - his third of the day. It was now 38-35 Toledo.

Jamaal Williams' Record-setting Day
Courtesy of BYU Photo

With one quarter remaining, the Cougars fought back. On second-and-four, Hill pitched the ball to Squally Canada, who slipped through the defenders untouched for a 17-yard TD rush. Not to be outdone, QB Logan Woodside let loose a rocket that resulted in a 78-yard TD pass to Cody Thompson. After three straight TD drives, the Cougars appeared to score another TD, but Williams’ score was nullified by a holding penalty, and they had to settle for tying up the game on a 32-yard FG by Rhett Almond. Toledo’s next possession ended prematurely when Kai Nacua intercepted a misfire, returning the ball to the Toledo 21. Three plays later, Jamaal Williams waltzed into the end zone with a 14-yard rush for his record-tying fifth TD, and a 7-point lead with 3 minutes to play. Undaunted, Toledo embarked on one last drive, a 79-yard journey that was extended by a fourth-and-four conversion and ended with a 7-yard rush by Kareem Hunt. Down by one with 1:11 remaining, Toledo rolled the dice and went for two. Although Woodside initially fumbled the snap, he picked it up and fired it to Michael Roberts in the end zone to give the Rockets a 53-52 lead. Starting at his own 27-yard line, with just over a minute to work with, QB Taysom Hill worked the clock like a professional, taking the Cougars to the Rocket 2-yard line with 2 ticks remaining. As the clock expired, Rhett Almond punched a 19-yard FG right through the middle of the uprights to give BYU a 55-53 win.

Rhett Almond
Courtesy of BYU Photo

Although QB Taysom Hill had a great day (248 yards passing, TD pass), it was Jamaal Williams’ record-breaking day (a record 286 rushing yards, record-tying 5 rushing TDs) that paved the way. Toledo would bounce back from the loss, and finish the regular season with a 9-3 record, earning an invitation to the Camellia Bowl. The Cougars would go on to finish the regular season with an 8-4 record, setting up a showdown with Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl. Williams would finish his senior season as the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher with 3,901 career rushing yards and 16 100-yard rushing games.

Game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp8jTHwjUUQ

 *BYU Tv's Top 100 plays in BYU Football TV history (updated 12/12/20 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzgPw-bQ_c)