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Provo • In the flush of victory, Brigham Young quarterback Riley Nelson had to pay tribute to his father.

It was Keith Nelson who taught his son to face all situations with the same calm and poise, even when facing the daunting task of moving the ball 96 yards for a game-winning touchdown in the face of a rapidly expiring clock.

For the Nelson's teammates, however, what happened was not just another drive.

"It was an epic struggle to see who could find a way to make one more play than the opponent," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Riley realized it was his opportunity and ran with it."

Nelson, who came off the bench in the third quarter to spark the Cougars to a 27-24 victory against Utah State on Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium, pulled a John Elway.

With more than 60,000 Cougar and Aggie fans roaring at an ear-splitting level, Nelson, who actually lost 2 yards and skirted a safety on the first play of what became the game-winning drive, ran and passed for 98 yards in 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

In between that near-disaster on his own goal line and a tipped, heart-in-mouth touchdown pass to Marcus Mathews with 11 seconds remaining, there was a scrambling 40-yard, game-changing prayer to McKay Jacobson that moved the ball to the Utah State 26-yard line.

"It was a desperation situation," Nelson said. "With a lot of luck."

The play was a microcosm of the USU defense's inability to make the adjustment between pocket passer Jake Heaps and Nelson, who gained 62 rushing yards as well as 144 through the air. Nelson bought time with his feet.

"No words," said Mathews, who had to protect bruised ribs after making the winning catch. "I just tried to run away so no one would tackle me."

During the game-winning drive, Nelson completed 4 of 5 passes for 66 yards. He faced third down just once has he moved the Cougars downfield.

"I've had the opportunity to be in that situation before," Nelson said. "I just paid attention to what my dad taught me. These situations are like any other situation."

Coming up clutch

• Riley Nelson completes 4 of 5 passes during BYU's final nine-play game-winning drive in the last two-plus minutes.

• Nelson passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns and rushes for 62 more yards.

• BYU trails 24-13 when Nelson enters the game late in the third period.