Central Washington University put a little bit of a sense of worry in the minds of BYU, but ultimately the Cougars were a little bigger and a little fiercer than the Wildcats and prevailed 58-27 at BYU’s South Field Saturday.

CWU kept it close early on and shocked BYU with two very quick tries late to make a game of it, but paced by wing Kevin Schofield’s three tries, BYU finished the stronger.

"We expected a tough game from Central Washington which we handled well," said BYU Head Coach David Smyth. "We did well in our set pieces and continuity game in the first half. We finished the first half better than we have in the last two games."

Meanwhile, CWU Head Coach Tony Pacheco wasn’t impressed.

"Pretty poor performance by us today," said Pacheco. "Credit to BYU for the harsh lesson on applying pressure."

The Cougars had to overcome a rough start as the Wildcats made to penalty kicks in a row by Reuben Ludick within the first five minutes. But then the Cougars got going. Sophomore wing Schofield scored to make it 6-5, and then Jared Whippy set up fullback Ryan Blaser. Calvin Whiting’s conversion made it 12-6 BYU.

The game continued to be fought hard in the trenches, but BYU just needed time to find some space. Whiting kicked a penalty, but missed a few minutes later, as did Central.

So it was 15-6, and still either team’s game when BYU exploded for three crucial tries. A long period of play with BYU working the phases led to Jonny Layne fighting his way through for a score. Five minutes later, Ricky T. finished off some good work from his teammates. And just before the break, Schofield raced in for his second. Whiting, of whom Smyth said has the potential to be a major factor for the team going forward, converted all three tries to make it 36-6 at the break.

Well ahead in the second half, BYU seemed to allow Central back into the contest. Whiting did kick a penalty to make it 39-6, the Wildcats exploited some missed BYU tackles as Tanner Barnes cut through for a try. Moments later Vili Toluta’u pounced on a loose ball, was stopped just short of the line, and Korbin Lindell and dove over. Suddenly it was 36-20.

Right from the restart,  Cameron Marek  took a pass from Ian Wright and rambled up the right-hand sideline leaving BYU defenders in his wake. Ludick converted the try and it was 39-27 and every bit a ballgame with 20 minutes to go.

"We were getting tired, but we had to play our game," said Schofield. 

Smyth was more blunt: "We took our foot off the gas and got lazy. The Wildcats came out hard which we knew they would and were able to score. I was fairly disappointed, but we were able to get it together as a team during the last ten minutes and increase our lead."

More like 15. The last 15 minutes or so saw Blaser score, and then lock matt Jensen showed some surprising pace coming into a pass from Whippy. Schofield notched his third at the end of the game. So it all ended 58-27, but perhaps the scoreline flattered BYU a shade. 

"I was happy with what our bench brought today," said Pacheco, whose team is not in BYU’s side of the Varsity Cup bracket, and so will only see BYU if both make the final. "They made an impact and our captain Vili led from the front, as he usually does."

(See Varsity Cup bracket here)

For BYU, the midfield of Whiting and Zach Webber - both former Utah HS standouts and both former HS All Americans - was handy, and Whippy controlled the game at flyhalf. In addition, Schofield has started to make a habit of scoring key tries against tough opponents.

"The first twenty minutes, there weren't any super stars," Smyth said. "Everyone went through a patch of mediocrity … there are still areas where we need to do work and stay hungry for 80 minutes."

CWU next will travel to Victoria BC to face the University of Victoria. Meanwhile, BYU welcomes St. Mary’s, who will be on a two-game tour of the Beehive State.

BYU 58

Tries: Schofield 3, Blaser 2, T., Layne, Jensen

Convs: Whiting 6

Pens: Whiting

CWU 27

Tries: Barnes, Lindell, Marek

Convs: Ludick 3

Pens: Ludick 2