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Provo • When the BYU Cougars were 1-3 after a close loss to West Virginia, their hopes to make it to a 12th straight bowl game appeared to be in jeopardy. Many believed it would come down to the last game of the season against Utah State.

But the Cougars ended the suspense Saturday afternoon, walloping Southern Utah 37-7 to get to 6-4 and become bowl eligible. After the game, officials from the Poinsettia Bowl extended an official invitation, and BYU accepted.

The Cougars will take on an opponent from the Mountain West Conference — Wyoming, San Diego State and Air Force are the leading candidates — on Dec. 21 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

The Cougars last played in the game in 2012, beating SDSU 23-6.

Missing, returning

BYU played without star running back Jamaal Williams (ankle) and big-hitting linebacker Butch Pau'u (knee). Williams wore a protective boot in pregame warmups, while Pau'u did some light warming up but did not play.

Defensive end Tomasi Laulile returned after suffering a knee injury against Mississippi State and posted two sacks.

Running back Squally Canada gave it a go after spraining his right thumb against Cincinnati, but rushed for only 5 yards on six attempts before giving way to freshman KJ Hall.

Hall performed well in his first action of the season, running for more than 59 yards and a touchdown and catching three passes for 68 yards.

Colby Hansen also got some carries at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

BYU's second-leading rusher was Tanner Mangum (42 yards). Taysom Hill rushed for 29 yards and passed Jeff Blanc (2,663 yards) for sixth place on BYU's career rushing yardage list.

Briefly

BYU passed for more than 400 yards for the first time since beating another FCS foe, Wagner, 70-6 in 2015. … Backup safety Eric Takenaka made a beautiful one-handed interception in the third quarter, BYU's 16th of the season. The Cougars were tied for third nationally in interceptions entering the weekend.

drew@sltrib.com Twitter: @drewjay