A trick play helped BYU beat No. 6 Wisconsin.

The No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers lost 24-21 to the BYU Cougars at home Saturday after senior kicker Rafael Gaglianone missed a game-tying field goal attempt, but the most decisive play may have come on a trick play in the first half. With the score tied 7-7 early in the second quarter, BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum tossed a backwards pass to wide receiver Aleva Hifo, who threw a downfield pass to Moroni Laulu-Pututau for a 31-yard touchdown. Here’s that pass:

That’s an amazing play, and it helped the Cougars enter halftime tied at 14. And they kept up the pressure in the second half, leading to their eventual victory after Gaglianone’s missed kick (which came after BYU coach Kalani Sitake called two consecutive timeouts). But this particular play was a vital part of the win.

[The Deseret News]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.