BYU Ran Fake Punt from Own End Zone, Failed Miserably

Trailing Boise State 14-10 early in the second quarter, BYU coach Kalani Sitake decided his team needed something unconventional. A fake punt on 4th and 19 from one’s own end zone certainly qualifies. Jonny Linehan was tasked with running 1/3rd of a football field against a defense that wasn’t particularly surprised.

As expected, it didn’t go well.

Lineham didn’t even get close to making it back to the line of scrimmage before being tackled for a turnover on downs. The Broncos should have had taken possession on the Cougars’ 2-yard line but Dylan Sumner-Gardner spiked the football in celebration, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The following Boise State drive ended with a missed field goal meaning the ill-timed fake didn’t end up costing BYU.

This sequence neatly sums up what was a bizarre game. When the final whistle sounded, Boise State walked away with a 28-27 victory to remain unbeaten.