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BYU bound for Poinsettia Bowl after win over SUU

Posted at 8:57 PM, Nov 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-13 00:04:20-05

PROVO, Utah -- BYU knew going into Saturday's matinee with Southern Utah that they were one victory shy of the magic number to qualify for a bowl game, and the Cougars made easy work of Southern Utah in the first ever meeting between the two schools

Taysom Hill found the end zone twice with his arm and once with his legs in the first half to lead BYU out to a large first-half lead. The Cougars would carry that lead onto a 37-7 win in Provo.

Officials from the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego were on hand to offer athletic director Tom Holmoe and the Cougars an invite directly after the game, where they will face a member of the Mountain West Conference on December 21.

It's the program's 12th straight season where they will compete in a bowl game.

Hill rushed for a 16-yard score on the Cougar's opening drive, and later found both Nick Kurtz and Colby Pearson for touchdowns. Hill finished the game with 320 yards through the air.

The Thunderbirds put up a score late in the second quarter after Patrick Tyler connected 17-yards to Logan Parker, but BYU immediately answered with a KJ Hall touchdown run. Backup quarterback Tanner Mangum came in to play most of the second half for BYU.

BYU improves to 6-4 on the season. The Cougars play next on November 19, when they host Massachusetts. That game is scheduled for noon.