SALT LAKE CITY --- Brian Johnson threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Brown with 47 seconds left to cap an 80-yard drive that kept No. 10 Utah's BCS hopes alive with a 13-10 victory over No. 11 Texas Christian on Thursday night.
The Utes, who improved to 10-0 for the second time in school history, were swarmed at midfield by the fans who made Rice-Eccles Stadium shake when Johnson rallied Utah to its first touchdown and saved the Utes' postseason hopes.
Johnson threw for 230 yards for the Utes (6-0 Mountain West), who recovered on defense after allowing TCU to gain 202 yards in the first quarter.
The Horned Frogs (9-2, 6-1) missed two field goal attempts in the fourth quarter, either of which would have put TCU up by seven.
VIRGINIA TECH 23, NO. 23 MARYLAND 13
In Blacksburg, Va., Darren Evans ran for a school-record 253 yards and a touchdown and Virginia Tech continued its Thursday night mastery to stay in the thick of a wide-open Atlantic Coast Conference race.
The Hokies (6-3, 3-2) improved to 15-3 on Thursday night and ended a two-game losing streak while remaining one of five teams in the ACC's Coastal Division with two conference losses. The Hokies, Virginia and North Carolina are a half-game behind Georgia Tech.
Maryland (6-3, 3-2) came into the game as the only ACC team with one league loss, but it dropped into a tie for the Atlantic Division lead with Florida State and Wake Forest.
Evans, who ripped off runs of 50 and 45 yards, had 32 carries and broke the record of 243 yards set by Mike Imoh in 2004.
His effort was a much-needed breakout for an offense that has struggled all season. It was especially helpful to Sean Glennon, who started at quarterback in place of Tyrod Taylor, who has a left ankle sprain.
Glennon passed for 120 yards and a TD, and Dustin Keys had three field goals for the Hokies, the last a 27-yarder with 7:30 left to make it a two-score game.
S.C. STATE 56, HOWARD 0
In Orangeburg, S.C., South Carolina State ruined Ray Ray McElrathbey's return to the state, rolling to the easy victory.
McElrathbey, an ex-Clemson player who has custody of his younger brother, Fahmarr, rushed for 57 yards in the loss.
South Carolina State (8-2) rushed for 376 yards behind Anthony Campbell (98 yards), William Ford (95) and quarterback DeWain Clark (89).
Howard, which is located in Washington, D.C., is 1-8.
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