LOS ANGELES -- Tanner Mangum was dubbed the Mormon Miracle after returning from an LDS mission, jumping right into a starting quarterback role at BYU, and then leading the Cougars to back to back wins to start the season via the Hail Mary pass.
The miracle turned into disappointment on Saturday night with UCLA giving Brigham Young University a dose of its own medicine.
The Cougars had not given up a single fourth quarter point against Nebraska and Boise State, which gave Mangum and the receiving game an opportunity to put their late-game heroics on display.
But against the 10th ranked Bruins Saturday, it was UCLA that was forced to come back and win the game. BYU carried a 20-10 lead into the final quarter when freshman quarterback, Josh Rosen and the Bruin’s offense finally hit their stride.
Rosen threw three picks in the first half, which allowed BYU to carry a 10-3 lead into the locker room. Adam Hine found the end-zone on the Cougar’s opening drive. Paul Perkins scored for the Bruins to tie the game in the third, before Mangum recorded his one and only touchdown, a 14-yard strike to Mitch Mathews.
But the momentum began to slowly change in UCLA’s favor to begin the fourth.
Rosen and Jordan Payton teamed up to find the end-zone. BYU placekicker, Trevor Sampson was steady for BYU. Sampson converted on all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 32-yarder to lift BYU out in front 23-17.
But UCLA would proceed to catch a tired BYU defense off guard. Nate Starks would come in to replace Perkins in the Bruin’s backfield.
UCLA coach, Jim Mora let Starks carry the load on the drive. He mixed in long runs with short ones, including a 3-yard touchdown jaunt with less than four minutes left on the clock. The extra point gave UCLA their first lead of the game at 24-23.
The Cougars started at their own 15 and were marching until they got near mid-field. The Bruins forced a fourth down play.
Mangum shined on fourth down a week ago to stun Boise State in Provo, but this time the true freshman from Eagle Creek, Idaho was picked trying to throw for a first down. The pass was intercepted by Bruins' linebacker Myles Jack as 19th ranked BYU suffered its first loss of the season.
Mangum finished 30 of 47 with 244 yards passing. Hine led the ground attack with a career high, 149 yards on 23 carries.
