Strong safety Joe Wade intercepted two passes, corner Sean Smith had one and free safety Robert Johnson has another as the opportunistic Utah secondary made life miserable for BYU's quarterback in the Utes' 48-24 victory over the Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Utes didn't shut Hall and receivers Austin Collie and David Reed out, but by making so many big plays, they didn't have to. Defensive end Paul Kruger added another interception to make Utah's pick party complete.

"We pressed them a lot because we knew it would give them trouble," said Smith. "We knew if our front seven got pressure, we'd have success."

Smith figures he was matched on Collie, BYU's all-Mountain West receiver, about 95 percent of the game. Collie still caught 10 passes for 104 yards, but he never got into the end zone. For Smith, that meant mission accomplished.

"We talked a little trash during the game, but I have a ton of respect for him," the always-talkative Smith said of Collie.

The Utes also caught a break with BYU tight end Dennis Pitta, hobbled this week with a knee injury, less than 100 percent. Pitta caught just two passes for 33 yards, "and just didn't look very comfortable out there," according to Smith.

BYU put together drives and points in the first half, but the turnovers took their toll, and BYU appeared out of answers most of the second half. The Cougars scored just seven points after the break.

"Our defensive scheme just kind of whacked them," Johnson said.