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Hall throws five TDs as BYU survives

Nov 2, 2008 - 3:30 AM FORT COLLINS, Colorado (Ticker) -- Max Hall went from goat to hero in the final two minutes.

Hall's fifth touchdown pass - a 17-yard strike to Dennis Pitta - lifted 17th-ranked Brigham Young to a 45-42 victory over Colorado State on Saturday.

"When it comes down to it, we make the plays that we need to to win the game," Hall said. "That's what we did tonight."

Hall's heroics came about 90 seconds after tossing an interception, which led to Dion Morton's 55-yard TD reception that gave the Rams a 42-38 edge with 1:44 remaining.

Hall, who passed for 389 yards, then orchestrated a six-play, 76-yard game-winning drive.

"It came down to which team could execute one more play than the other to win the football game," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Certainly (there were) plenty of mistakes that occurred by both teams on both sides of the ball to make it interesting."

"I felt pretty confident going out there and I think by that time in the game, late in the fourth quarter, I knew exactly what they were going to run," Hall added.

Pitta hauled in 12 catches for 175 yards and two scores and Austin Collie added nine receptions for 156 yards and three TDs for the Cougars (8-1, 4-1 MWC), who have won back-to-back contests.

Harvey Unga broke a 40-yard run with 5:49 left in the final period to give BYU a 38-35 edge. The Cougars' defense then made a critical fourth-down stand on the ensuing possession, which seemed to seal the win.

But on third down, Hall was intercepted by Gerard Thomas, who scampered down the sidelines and into the end zone. The return was called back because of an illegal block but that did not deter Colorado State.

On the next play, Billy Farris launched a deep pass to Morton, who broke a tackle and sprinted into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

"I feel like we're really coming together as a team," Farris said. "If we can keep growing and getting better, and take a lot from this game, we're going to be a really good team by the end of the season."

Hall took over at the BYU 24 and completed four first-down passes to four different players. He finished the drive with a check-down completion to Pitta, who powered his way into the end zone with 22 ticks remaining.

"Max threw a great ball, high and away," Pitta said. "Fortunately, I was able to go up and make a great play and barrel in to the end zone."

Unga finished with 133 yards on 24 carries for the Cougars, who racked up 551 yards and overcame three turnovers.

Farris passed for 251 yards and three scores, Gartrell Johnson had 102 rushing yards and a touchdown and Morton made six catches for 129 yards and two TDs for the Rams (4-5, 2-3).

"We're obviously disappointed that we weren't able to win the football game tonight," Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild said. "We definitely had our chances. I liked our effort."