Badgers Hold Off BYU-JV Squad
EPHRAIM -- Sixth-ranked Snow College racked up 488 total yards en route to a 38-27 rain-drenched win against the BYU-junior varsity squad on Saturday. The win marked the Badgers' first of the season, and their sixth straight, dating back to last season.
"We didn't want to get started like we did last year with close losses that were hard to get over," said Snow head coach Jeff Kilts. "I felt like we were a good team last year, but we got hurt by early losses that were hard to overcome. A lot of those guys are on this team and I think it helped us today."
Snow scored first on its third possession of the game when Paul Peterson, brother of former BYU quarterback Charlie Peterson, engineered a 54-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard pass to Ameen Shaheen. Snow missed an opportunity earlier when they had the ball on the BYU-JV 14 yard line after a fumble, but an interception gave the ball back.
"I thought that was a good drive for a couple of reasons," said Kilts. "We had a great opportunity, but we turned the ball over. The very next time we get the ball, Paul takes us down the field and gets some points on the board. That's maturity. That's leadership."
The Cougars matched the Badger score after Matt Berry led the offense on an 80-yard drive, caped by a 28-yard strike to tight end Andy Hadfield. Hadfield, a junior tight end, was the favorite target all afternoon for the BYU-JV quarterbacks as he accounted for nearly 200 of the 298 yards receiving.
"It's a shame that Hadfield doesn't get more time on the varsity team," said BYU Coach Mike Empey. "There are a lot of good players ahead of him, but you can see that he is a very good tight end."
Snow College answered back with two touchdowns on an 11-yard pass from Peterson to Ben Anderson and then a 14-yard pass to Nate Meikle. The Badgers missed the first PAT and then missed the two-point conversion after the second touchdown, leading 19-7 midway through the second quarter.
Mid-way through the second quarter, BYU defender David Johnson picked off a Peterson attempt, returning it 35-yards for the touchdown. Trailing 19-14, the Cougars then gave up 19 unanswered points in the driving rain before they were able to put more points on the board.
The Badgers scored with 6:58 remaining in the third on another Peterson to Anderson strike that covered 30 yards. Those two teamed up again at the 3:30 mark of the quarter on a three-yard strike. Both PAT's failed, but Snow College led 31-14 going into the final quarter of play.
Peterson threw his sixth touchdown of the game when he found Shaheen open in the end zone early in the fourth quarter from ten yards out. The PAT was good and the Badgers were ahead for good 38-14.
"This is a good Snow College team," said BYU Coach Paul Tidwell. "The offense looks really good and the defense is pretty strong too. It's a lot of fun to be back here in Ephriam, and to see the Badgers doing so well."
The Cougars made a run late in the fourth quarter, scoring on a Steve Later three-yard touchdown run with 6:43 remaining. Todd Mortensen threw a ten-yard pass to another junior, Jay Omer for the final touchdown with 1:19 left on the clock. The two-point conversion failed.
Saturday's game marked the final game for the BYU-JV squad. The Cougars finished their abbreviated season with a 1-1 record, including a hard-fought 21-14 win over top-ranked Dixie State College.
Team Qtr Time Scoring Summary ScoreSnow 1 7:13 13 yd Pass Paul Peterson to Ameen Shaheen, PAT Good 7-0
BYU 1 4:57 28 yd Pass Matt Berry to Andy Hadfield, PAT Good 7-7
Snow 2 12:56 11yd Pass Peterson to Ben Anderson, PAT Failed 13-7
Snow 2 10:01 14 yd Pass Peterson to Nate Meikle, 2pt conversion fail. 19-7
BYU 3 9:09 35 yd INT return for touchdown David Johnson, PAT Good 19-14
Snow 3 6:58 30 yd Pass Peterson to Anderson, 2pt conversion failed 25-14
Snow 3 3:30 3yd Pass Peterson to Anderson, PAT failed 31-14
Snow 4 14:16 10yd Pass Peterson to Shaheen, PAT Good 38-14
BYU 4 6:43 3yd Run Steve Later, PAT Good 38-21
BYU 4 1:19 10yd Pass Todd Mortensen to Joe Orner, (Conv. failed) 38-27
Attempts Yards
BYU Rushing 15 38
BYU Passing 14 298
Totals 336
