Offensive coordinator Robert Anae said the 4th-and-7 called for four receivers to run vertical routes "because our outside receivers had been winning on those" most of the game.
"We were close on it," Anae said. "The guys were breaking downhill. We just didn't get it this time. … We did not make the critical play right at the end. Now we are on the other side."
The drive started with a 19-yard reception by Mitchell Juergens, and 11-yard reception by Mitch Mathews and a 10-yard rush by Adam Hine, who finished with 149 yards on 23 carries.