(Apparently UNLV just returned from Winter break – ed.)
By: Barry Wong
More than 40,000 football fans were treated to an offensive showcase at the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22. Sam Boyd Stadium welcomed the Pac-10's University of California and the Mountain West Conference's Brigham Young University. During the first quarter, scoring was quiet. The lone touchdown came from a three-yard run from California runningback Marshawn Lynch. The eight-play, 65-yard drive put the Golden Bears up 7-0 early. With five minutes left in the first, BYU quarterback John Beck began a long drive starting from the Cougar eight-yard line. The 15-play drive was capped by a 19-yard touchdown reception by running back Curtis Brown. The Bears answered quickly with help from two 15-yard penalties on the Cougar defense. Lynch would score from 23 yards away to put the Bears ahead 14-7. Again with five minutes left in the quarter, Beck began a drive from inside the Cougar 10-yard line. Led by a 52-yard completion to wide receiver Todd Watkins, BYU went 91 yards in only seven plays to tie the game.
As California took possession with only 30 seconds remaining, California quarterback Steve Levy connected on a 42-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver DeSean Jackson to give the Golden Bears a seven-point lead at the half. The third quarter featured more Golden Bear offense. Lynch scored from 35 yards out to finish a 65-yard drive early in the quarter. At the end of the third, Jackson made a highlight reel catch to score from 22 yards out. The touchdown capped a six-play, 96-yard drive. Trailing 35-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, BYU fought back. The Cougars scored on two four-and-half minute drives. A 74-yard drive was capped by a seven-yard touchdown grab by tight end Jonny Harline, and a 96-yard drive ended with an 11-yard touchdown reception by Watkins. BYU couldn't manage another scoring drive, and California held on to win the game 35-28. Lynch, the game's most valuable player, finished with 194 yards on 24 carries and had three touchdowns. Jackson had six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Levy completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 228 yards. For the Cougars, Beck finished 35 of 53 for 352 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Beck also led BYU in rushing with 42 yards on the ground.
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