Francis Bernard Returns Interception 58 Yards Against Former Team
Aug 29, 2019, 10:02 PM | Updated: Aug 30, 2019, 10:34 am
Utah linebacker Francis Bernard (13) runs in an interception for a touchdown during the first half of the Utah-BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
(Colter Peterson, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – Utah linebacker and former BYU Cougar Francis Bernard returned a Zack Wilson interception 58-yards for a touchdown against his old team. The pick-six came at a pivotal time during the second quarter when both teams were struggling to take control of the game’s momentum.
The play gave the Utes a 9-3 advantage over BYU after Andrew Strauch missed the extra point attempt.
Bernard returned his first interception for a touchdown in his career, while BYU quarterback Zach Wilson threw his second pick-six of his career. The other coming against Utah in 2018 when Julian Blackmon picked off the then freshman QB in the third quarter when Utah was down by 20 points.
Utah with a MASSIVE Pick 6 to swing the momentum!
(Via @ESPNCFB)pic.twitter.com/lWDtKHWGcT
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2019
The Utah linebacker is in his second season with the Utes after transferring from BYU as a running back and linebacker.
When Bernard ran in the touchdown, he flashed the “U” hand signal to the BYU student section as a part of his celebration.
Bernard stepped in this season as the starting linebacker after Chase Hansen and Cody Barton graduated and moved on to the NFL.
The 30-12 win gave the Utes a nine-game winning streak over the Cougars, tying the longest streak both teams hold in the rivalry.
