This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
By throwing a touchdown pass in the last 11 seconds Friday, BYU quarterback Riley Nelson ultimately cleaned up his own mess in a 24-21 victory.
But linebacker Kyle Van Noy definitely helped to limit the damage that Nelson caused during a third quarter when Tulsa was positioned to take control of the Armed Forces Bowl.
After intercepting Nelson for the second time, Tulsa completed a 21-yard pass via a trick play and had a first down at the BYU 14-yard line, leading 14-10. That's when Van Noy asserted himself.
He tackled a Golden Hurricane receiver after a 3-yard gain, then caught a running back for a 6-yard loss and sacked the quarterback for a 12-yard loss. That sequence of stops moved Tulsa back to the BYU 29, and Kevin Fitzpatrick missed a 46-yard field goal.
BYU then drove to a touchdown, taking its first lead of the game.
Van Noy finished with 10 tackles, including five tackles for loss (accounting for 23 yards) and two sacks. That's the kind of playmaking ability the sophomore possesses, and he credited coach Bronco Mendenhall as a "defensive mastermind" whose scheme makes the most of his talent.
"He puts me in spots to make plays," Van Noy said. "Luckily, he gives me some freedom."
Van Noy also cited a BYU defensive line that helped to showcase him. "They don't get much love, but they played a great game on the interior," he said.
Whatever assistance he received, Van Noy was more dominant than ever. He already had recorded team highs of 10 tackles for loss and five sacks through 12 regular-season games before adding considerably to his 2011 totals. Van Noy finished the season with 15 of the Cougars' 77 tackles for loss and seven of their 21 sacks.
Twitter: @tribkurt