Brigham Young linebacker Kyle Van Noy holds out the ball as he scores on a 17-yard interception return during the fourth quarter of the Poinsettia Bowl Thursday night in San Diego. BYU defeated San Diego State 23-6.

SAN DIEGO — The Poinsettia Bowl was ponderous, even boring, until Brigham Young linebacker Kyle Van Noy took over.

Van Noy scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone and then on an interception return to lead Brigham Young to a 23-6 victory over San Diego State on Thursday night.

“Turnovers were huge for us,” said Van Noy, who had two of BYU’s five takeaways. “I think that when we got that first turnover, I think that changed the momentum of the game.”

With San Diego State pinned on its 3 thanks to terrific punt coverage by BYU, Adam Dingwell dropped back to pass in the end zone.

Van Noy broke free from the outside and knocked the ball out of Dingwell’s hand and jumped on the fumble for the game’s first TD.

The play was upheld after video review.

“I wouldn’t make those plays if all 11 guys weren’t doing what they were doing,” Van Noy said.

Dingwell fumbled the snap on SDSU’s next play from scrimmage and it was recovered by Jordan Johnson at the 14. Jamaal Williams scored on a run up the middle on the next play, BYU’s second TD in 17 seconds.

With 6:09 left, Van Noy intercepted Dingwell’s pass and weaved 17 yards through traffic and into the end zone. Van Noy was selected the defensive MVP.