Hewitt Helps Lead San Diego State to 27-15 Upset of 20th-Ranked BYU

AN DIEGO — Paul Hewitt scored two touchdowns, and San Diego State’s defense forced four turnovers as the Aztecs upset 20th-ranked Brigham Young University, 27-15, Saturday night.

Safety Lyndon Earley intercepted a pass to set up a score and stopped a BYU drive with a fumble recovery to help San Diego State end its six-game losing streak.

BYU, which entered the game as an 18-point favorite, lost for the first time since a season-opening defeat. San Diego State improved to 2-7 overall, 2-4 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Cougars fell to 7-2, 4-2 in the WAC.

Hewitt, whose scores came on 2-yard runs, finished with 152 yards in 37 carries. Freshman quarterback Scott Barrick, in his second start for San Diego State, threw for 159 yards while completing 14 of 25 attempts.

The Aztecs, who entered the game with a defense that yielded an average of 37.6 points per game, held the Cougars to one of their lowest point totals of the season.

The Cougars’ first touchdown came 1:05 into the final period to cut San Diego State’s lead to 24-9 as Matt Bellini ran 1 yard for a touchdown. Jason Chaffetz’s extra-point try was wide left.

The Cougars’ 41-yard touchdown drive was directed by Sean Covey, who returned late in the third quarter after being forced out earlier because of a twisted knee. He suffered the injury when he was sacked in the second quarter, and Ty Detmer replaced him.

San Diego State took a 24-3 halftime lead as the Aztecs equaled the most points scored against the Cougars in one game this year.

BYU lost its season opener, 24-14, to 10th-ranked Wyoming, which clinched its second straight WAC title Saturday with a 51-6 victory over Texas El Paso.