(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Joe Critchlow (11) as BYU hosts the University of Massachusetts, NCAA football in Provo, Saturday November 18, 2017.
Provo • Senior linebacker Fred Warner received the loudest applause Saturday afternoon when 18 BYU players were introduced before the game against UMass.
That was predictable considering Warner is a four-year starter, along with center Tejan Koroma.
Warner made a nice pass deflection in the first half on third down, as the Cougars defense held the visitors to three points in the first half.
Two seniors — linebackers Grant Jones and Matt Hadley — were brought out on carts because they suffered season-ending injuries earlier this year. Both were on crutches when they got off the carts and greeted their families.
Hadley, who started out playing safety in training camp but was moved to linebacker when Francis Bernard was suspended, is seeking a medical hardship to get his final year back but wanted to participate in ceremonies Saturday in case that appeal is denied.
Other seniors honored were Tanner Balderree, Corey Edwards, Kamel Greene, Micah Hannemann, Tuni Kanuch, Hiva Lee, Jonny Linehan, Va’a Niumatalolo, Keyan Norman, Creed Richardson, Cody Stewart, Handsome Tanielu, Kesni Tausinga and Jonah Trinnaman.
Two players who are listed on the roster as seniors, Young Tanner and Sawyer Powell, actually are juniors in eligibility and plan to return next season.
Offense sputters through three quarters
After racking up 425 yards in a 31-21 win over UNLV last week, BYU reverted back to its poor offensive play against the Minutemen.
The Cougars had just 74 yards in the first half and did not go over the 100-yard barrier until three minutes remained in the third quarter.
Freshman quarterback Joe Critchlow was just 8 of 19 for 51 yards with an interception in the first half. He threw another interception in the third quarter on a pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage.
Numbers switch
Trinnaman wore No. 7, the number he wore at American Fork High School. He usually wears No. 3.
Holder Gavin Fowler wore No. 37 to honor Jones, who suffered a season-ending knee injury midway through the season and played four different positions during his BYU career.
Streak ended
UMass kicker Logan Laurent had made 15 straight field goals before missing his first attempt, a 43-yarder in the first quarter. He redeemed himself with a 34-yarder in the second quarter and 28- and 35-yarders in the third to start another streak.
Briefly
UMass called heads and won the coin toss, electing to defer. Tails was called in BYU’s first 11 games this season. … Injured BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum, a captain, rolled out to the coin toss at midfield on a scooter after undergoing Achilles surgery last week. …. Temperature was 39 degrees at kickoff. Attendance was 51,355.
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