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Provo • No matter the situation, Cody Hoffman lights up Oregon State.

In two games against the Beavers, the BYU receiver has 19 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Yet on Saturday, despite a career-high 10 catches, it was two passes he couldn't reach that may have made the difference between winning and losing.

"Two bad passes by me," BYU quarterback Riley Nelson said.

Both — a throw to the end zone and a screen that had touchdown written all over it — grazed Hoffman's fingers.

"It was definitely frustrating, but there's not much you can do about it," said Hoffman, who grew up four hours from Corvallis, Ore. "[Nelson] tried his best. I tried my best, and we were just off by a little bit."

Hoffman did make a key fourth-down catch during BYU's second touchdown drive, one that tied the score 14-14 late in the first half.

The Cougars declined to kick three times on fourth down during the drive.

With his 102 yards Saturday, Hoffman became the 15th player in BYU history to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards.

Hoffman also has caught at least one pass in 26 consecutive games.

"I feel pretty good about [my performance]," Hoffman said. "It wasn't a bad performance, it wasn't the best. But it wasn't enough to help the team come out with a victory."

Hoffman and Nelson were restricted by Oregon State's defensive plan, one that prevented BYU from going deep. The Cougars were forced into a patience game that eventually paid off late.

"We installed a couple of deep plays this week to try and stretch out the defense, but they were ready for it," Hoffman said. "They dropped both safeties at least and maybe even the corners on some plays."

Hoffman and Nelson took what OSU offered. In the end, though, victory was out of reach.

Twitter: @tribmarty —

Hoffman highlights

• BYU receiver Cody Hoffman caught a career-high 10 passes, giving him 19 in two games against Oregon State.

• With 102 yards Saturday, Hoffman has 2,004 career yards, making him the 15th player in BYU history to gain as many yards.

• Hoffman kept his streak alive of catching a pass in now 26 straight games.