The following notes are from BYU's 30-27 overtime win over No. 24 USC.
ATTENDANCE: 62,546
TEAM FLAGS: Zayne Anderson, Dayan Ghanwoloku
ALUMNI FLAGS: Matt Allen (WR 03-07), Bryce Mahuka (WR 04-08), Cody Hoffman (WR 09-13)
GAME CAPTAINS: JJ Nwigwe (Sr. DL), Ty’Son Williams (Sr. RB), Kavika Fonua (Jr. LB), Mitch Harris (Sr. LS)
TEAM NOTES.
Series Notes
This was BYU’s first win over USC. It was also BYU’s first win over a ranked opponents since beating No. 6 Wisconsin in 2018 and the first win over a ranked team at home since beating No. 20 Boise State in 2015.
Back-to-back Power 5 Wins
The win marked back-to-back wins over Power 5 teams with last week’s win over Tennessee. It is the second time under Kalani Sitake the Cougars have beat Power 5 times in consecutive weeks. In 2016, BYU defeated Michigan State on the road and returned home to beat Mississippi State 28-21, also an overtime game (double OT).
Overtime
For the second week in a row, BYU went to overtime and won. Dayan Ghanwoloku intercepted a tipped pass by Kavika Fonua to finish off the victory.
Interceptions
Linebackers Payton Wilgar and Isaiah Kaufusi and defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku grabbed interceptions in the game. Wilgar tallied the first of his career while Kaufusi recorded his third returning it 10-yards. Both were deep in USC territory and resulted in scoring drives for BYU. Ghanwoloku grabbed the third interception to end the game in overtime.
Spreading the ball around
BYU spread the ball around to 12 different receivers and seven different rushers. Running back Ty’Son Williams led all rushers with 19 attempts for 99 yards.
Chunk Plays
BYU had five pass plays of 20 yards or more, with the longest going for 35 yards to Gunner Romney in the fourth quarter. The defense also limited the Trojans to just two pass plays of 20 yards or more in the game.
Tackling Machines
Four different defensive players had or tied career highs in tackles during the game. Kavika Fonua tallied 13 total tackles with nine solo stops, Payton Wilgar had career highs of nine total tackles and five solo stops, Dayan Ghanwoloku tied his career high of nine total tackles and Max Tooley had a career high of eight total tackles and six solo stops.
PLAYER NOTES
Dayan Ghanwoloku
Defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku scored BYU’s first touchdown of the game to tie the game as part of a scrum play. It was the fourth touchdown of his career, including one other offensive touchdown and two defensive touchdowns. He also caught a game-ending interception in overtime for his sixth career interception and first of the season.
Ty’Son Williams
Ty’Son Williams had a career high of 99 total rushing yards in the game on 19 attempts. He also tallied a BYU career-long rush of 26 yards.
Kavika Fonua
For the second week in a row, Kavika Fonua led the defense tallying a career high 13 total tackles and nine solo stops.
NOTABLE CAREER HIGHS and FIRSTS
First career interception: Payton Wilgar (1st quarter)
BYU career long rush: Ty’Son Williams (26 yards, 1st quarter)
First career pass: Jaren Hall (19 yards, 1st quarter)
First career reception: Zach Wislon (19 yards, 1st quarter)
Career long reception: Dax Milne (30 yards, 2nd quarter), Gunner Romney (35 yards, 4th quarter)
First career tackle for loss: Max Tooley
Career high total tackles: Kavika Fonua (13), Payton Wilgar (9), Dayan Ghanwoloku (9), Max Tooley (8)
Career high field goals made: Jake Oldroyd (3 – 23, 32, 43)
First forced fumble: Kavika Fonua (Overtime)
Postgame Quotes
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake
Tough game with overtime again. We got put in a tough spot where we had to kick a field goal in the overtime. I’m proud the defense was able to make a play. Hats off to USC, they’re a great team with tons of talent. We feel very fortunate to get this win. We did some things that were a little bit unconventional, and I’m just glad we were able to get the win.”
On going into overtime for the second week in a row
It was a lot of fun. Obviously, we don’t want to have this be a habit, but I’ll take it. We worked on these situations a lot in camp and spring ball with the red zone defense and red zone offense so we felt very comfortable in what we were doing. I think its easy as a head coach because I have guys that I can lean on. The senior leadership and everyone on the team is holding each other accountable. Our guys are growing and getting better and we’re ready for the next one.
On gameplay vs. USC
I felt like we did some things and took some chances that I didn’t think were out of the ordinary. I was just proud of our players and the way they performed offensively, defensively and on special teams. I thought we played really solid. I’m just really happy that our guys were able to execute. I trust our players.
We won this game and I’m happy about that, but now we have to win and learn. We have a ton of opportunity to learn from the next one too. I’m really looking forward to that one.
On playing a pass-heavy team
I thought defensively we made an air raid team rely heavily on the run and that was a good thing for us. I thought the defensive line did an amazing job owning the line of scrimmage and providing pressure on the three man rush. I just love that our guys keep playing and keep working hard. When we have that type of effort and that type of energy on the sidelines I think we’re in a good position.
About the depth of the roster
I thought offensively we were able to use all our weapons and defensively we were able to rely on all our depth. We were fortunate the first two weeks to not have too much injuries. I’m so proud of how they performed today.
BYU Quarterback Zach Wilson
On back-to-back overtime wins
Man it was crazy. We thought how great would it be to have a turnover to end the game right here. Dayan made a great play. I don’t know who the receiver was that tipped the ball up but great job by our defense. I’m proud of those guys.
On what was going through his head when the officials were reviewing the interception
You’re still in that game mode, you still think ‘Well, is that it? Did it happen, is the game over?’ You don’t start celebrating yet. You see the fans come on the field but they always have to review it, so there’s always that hesitation of ‘Is the game over yet?’
On getting a big win at home
It’s huge, this is such a big win for us, it’s easy to go into Monday learning after a win. There are so many things that we have to get better at, but the fact that we got a win is huge. I’m so proud of this team for battling.
On what was his mindset going back out there after the fourth down stop
Just knowing we can get plays against these guys, we know what we’re capable of as an offense, we know we can make plays whether it’s rushing, passing the ball, we knew what we had to do.”
On the offensive making big strides the last two weeks
I thought we did well, but there are so many things that we need to get better at. I made a ton of mistakes in that game that I can improve on and I’m sure that Ty’Son feels the same way, but we came out with the ‘W’ so, that’s we wanted to do.
Running back Ty’Son Williams
On success of overtimes
No matter the score, no matter the time left that’s left on the clock, this teams keep fighting and fighting. It’s just great to be a part of the team.
On fans rushing the field
It was crazy. I’ve never been been a part of anything like it. It was a great time.
On back-to-back wins
We all just try to work. If the play comes, you have to make it.
Linebacker Kavika Fonua
On the final play
I was reading the quarterbak and doing my job. I saw him look back into the middle and I just tried to get a hand on it.
On what the win does for the team
It builds confidence. Going into the end of the game, we had no doubt that we were going to win, just like Tennessee. Getting that confidence boost when we were away was great, but it feels great to bring it back to our home stadium.
On playing linebacker
I’m still willing to learn new positions all the time, but it feels amazing to stay in one spot right now.
On playing in this type of exciting game
We live for this. It’s an amzing feeling to be with our brothers out there.
Defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku
On his interception
We knew they were trying to get some quick throws and deep come backs. Coach always says that with tips and overthrows, we’ve got to get them.
On forcing multiple interceptions
Our defensive line did a great job of creating pressure. When we changed up the coverage type it would mess with the quarterback’s head. He’s a young quarterback, and it was working a little bit.
On the Cougar’s first home win
We play well away against big teams like Tennesse and winning over there with all those fans is great. But, seeing this at home is crazy, especially seeing our fans rush the field. That’s what we’re here for, we want to win infront of them and protect LaVell’s house. It was just a good feeling.
About his depth
I just want to be a playmaker, whether it’s offense, defense, or special teams. I go 100%. You go play where coach wants you to go play.
USC head coach Clay Helton
Great coach and football game. I thought they played a hell of a football game under Kalani Sitake. The kids played extremely hard and they had one more play than we did tonight. Anytime you have three turnovers to the other team and you’re on the road, that’s going to put you in a hole. Tonight, we came up one play short of getting out of that hole. I love how the kids kept fighting and competing. This is one game early in the season. We’ll correct it and move onto the next one. This is going to be a special team because there are special kids on this team. Mark my words. They’re learning with every snap and I’m proud of them and I look forward to the next opportunity to compete.
This team is built for this. To have adversity and overcome it. This is a non-conference game early in the season. We have a big game coming up next week again and just like this one was, against another great Utah team. We need to get right on this plane and get right back to work tomorrow morning.
On his team’s mentality during the game
I think they’re tough as heck. You have two early turnovers in the red zone and they only got ten points out of that. We were able to create one of those stops and then get it back to a 17-17 ballgame at half time on the road. We got up in the second half, they made some plays and we made some plays. We find ourselves in overtime. I thought the defense did a really nice job on the first series in overtime. We had the opportunity to close the door and the ball bounced the wrong way. That happens sometimes in football.
On his decision to run during overtime
To get a third manageable. We thought it was a nice run by the kid and I thought it was a good play call. He got it to a manageable distance. That’s all you can ask for. You try to get half the distance on second down and complete on the third down. But, we didn’t get that done.
On the team receiving attention prior to tonight’s game
We don’t worry about noise. We live in Los Angeles, CA. There’s a ton of damn noise. What we have to focus on is doing our job and focusing on the next game. It’s prepped extremely well and they practiced their tails off this last week. I hurt for them. They invested a lot in it and we made some mistakes today that lose you a ball game on the road. We’ve got to correct them. We have three pretty good ones coming up. We have to move on.
On how quick the team will refocus with Utah coming up next
We don’t have time to be honest with you. It’s not a lot of time to feel sorry for yourself. Like everyone was saying, it’s one game, we have to correct it and move on. We plan on doing big things this season. It’s early in the season. I like this football team, I like these kids and their mindset. They want to do great things.
USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
On whether he received an explanation on the pass interference
No. The referees don’t really like to explain so we just had to keep playing. So they just threw it and next play.
USC defensive Lineman Jay Tufele
On BYU’s Zach Wilson
He’s a great football player. They just got a one up on us.