BYU defeats Northern Iowa 41-17

This afternoon BYU won its second straight season opener extending the nation's longest winning streak to 11. The win, however, wasn't as simple as many expected it to be. The Northern Iowa Panthers put up a good fight against the nationally ranked Cougars.

“I give Northern Iowa credit,” said Mendenhall. “I think they are a very good team and coach [Mark] Farley does a great job with them. They are physical and their quarterback had an outstanding game in terms of heart.”

In the first half, BYU fans felt it was all their game. After the first two periods, BYU led the contest 27-3. All BYU right? Not quite. In the third quarter, UNI showed they came to play. A crazy reverse/wide reciever pass put UNI on the board in the third quarter. But that wasn't the worst part of BYU's third quarter. The Cougars were plauged with mistakes during the quarter, including 4 fumbles (3 recovered by UNI). One of those fumbles occured when Max Hall was hit in the back in his own end zone. UNI fell on the ball and 6 points went on the board. In the fourth, BYU started to put it back together. Two late scores put BYU well in front and ended the game 41-17.

Key Players
Max Hall and Dennis Pitta were the duo of the day. They connected 11 times for 213 yards, with an average of almost 20 yards per pass. Bronco even noted in the post game show that they planned their offense so that a defense could not cover all of the key positions. UNI chose to play the run and the wide outs. Therefore, they wouldn't be able to cover the tight end, which is exactly what happened.

Areas of Improvement
Ball Security. The first game jitters showed in the third quarter. Vetrans and rookies alike had problems holding on to the ball. “Ball security was one of the things we can improve on, and with that being different, most likely the game would have been much more convincing,” commented Mendenhall. “We saw enough mistakes and things that we can certainly improve on over the next week.”

Next Week
A test. BYU faces Washington on the road. The past two years, BYU has not won a single non-conference road game. This well be the real test of what BYU is made of.

Harvey Unga Nominated for Doak Walker Award

Today BYUCougars.com reports that Harvey Unga has been nominated as a candidate for the Doak Walker award. You may remember that Luke Staley won this award some years ago. Unga had this to say. "I really am speechless. To even be compared and be a candidate for the same award that Luke Staley won is amazing. This is an honor I've dreamed about and worked towards, but never thought could happen. It's an honor and I'm very happy." Click here for the complete article.

BYU only non-BCS team that can bust the BCS

ESPN The Magazine has release the statistics that from all of the previous BCS busters since 2003. They have marked the key attributes that were in common with all of the previous BCS busters they year before they went to the big dance. This year BYU is the only team that has all of the these key attributes. Here are what they say it takes to get the a BCS bowl if you are from a non-BCS conference. Last year, you must have:

1. Averaged 31 points or better per game.
2. Allowed fewer than 400 yards of offense per game.
3. Had either a 2,950 yard passer or a 1,700 yard rusher.
4. Had two or fewer regular season loses.

BYU hits the mark in all of these categories and ESPN the magazine predicts they will bust the BCS this year. Go Cougars!

Let's Hear From the Fans

With the season opener only two days away, we would like to hear what some of the fans are thinking about this game. Feel free to make comments on any of these questions.

1. How will Northern Iowa fair against the Cougars?

2. What players will stand out?

3. Would you like to see Austin Collie under center?

4. How will BYU's "young" defense perform?

5. What will be the final score?

To give us your thoughts, simply click the "comments" button below this posting. This website was created to pump up BYU fans everywhere. So, let's get pumped up on our Quest for Perfection.

Austin Collie - Under Center

Don't be surprised to see Austin Collie under center for a few snaps against Northern Iowa this weekend. In yesterday's MWC teleconference, Bronco Mendenhall, officially gave Collie the nod as back up quarterback under Max Hall.

"I was not happy with the play of our backup quarterbacks in our last scrimmage," Mendenhall said. "So, it appeared to me that [Collie] might be our next best option in case Max were to ever get hurt or a combination of Austin with another one of our backup quarterbacks."

Collie will maintain his starting duties at the wide receiver position. Due to a stress fracture in his leg earlier this year, he has had limited practice time. However, this week he began going full speed on his leg and is anticipated to play a big role in BYU's season opener against Northern Iowa on Saturday.

When asked if Collie would see time in the backfield against Northern Iowa, Coach Mendenhall responded, "Whether he'll be used in this game or any game early on remains to be seen. But I've been impressed with what I've seen and I think it could make what is a solid offense even better." I think that means "Your guess is as good as mine."

ESPN Picks BYU to Win MWC in 2008

Yesterday, ESPN.com announced who they picked to win their respective conferences. No surprise BYU was the favorite in the MWC. They said that when BYU is playing at the top of its game no one in the conference can beat them. "BYU has the schedule to go undefeated."

It was also noted that Fresno State, the predicted WAC champion, did not have as complete a team as BYU.

Click here for the complete article.

Austin Collin at Quarterback?

With Northern Iowa only a week away, BYU began its game week practice routine yesterday. After sitting out most of the season with a leg stress fracture, junior wide receiver, Austin Collie, began to see action again. However, he is looking at things from a different point of view now. After Wednesday's scrimmage, he was told that he would be practicing and attending position meetings as a quarterback.

“I was a little shocked and taken aback,” said Collie. “It’s a whole new world. The last time I played quarterback was when I was 10 years old. The coaches want to add more depth at the QB spot. There’s a lot to think about, but it’s definitely going to help me as a wide receiver—to read the defense and know where I’m going.”

Complete Story

2008 Team Captains

This week BYU announced their football captains for the 2008 season. They players voted and these are who will be leading them in to battle. The offensive captains will be Max Hall and Travis Bright. On the other side of the ball, the Cougars will be led by Jan Jorgensen and David Nixon.


Coach Bronco Mendenhall reported that he was happy with the team's decision for their captains. He said, “If I were choosing, those are the exact four I would have chosen. I don't think the players could have chosen four better captains. These players are consistent, have good work ethic, are spokespeople and good examples. The more we as a coaching staff can hand over to them, the more our efforts can be focused on the game aspects.”

Mendenhall: Best Practice of Fall Camp

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said that yesterday's practice (tuesday) was the best they have had all fall. Click here for the full article. It looks like our Cougars are ready to defend their spot in the rankings.

Brigham Young could be BCS-buster (LA Times)

By Chris Dufresne

BYU has been anointed the team with the best chance in 2008 to crack the bigwig's glass ceiling, which hasn't been as tough to crack as some trust-busters once predicted.

In other words, maybe college football's postseason isn't a total scam/sham/fraud/money grab/monopoly. Maybe it's only a mockery.

Since 2004, three schools from the so-called "non-power" conferences have earned access to major bowl games.

Utah of the Mountain West Conference started the procession in 2004 when it finished No. 6 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings and earned a bid to the Fiesta Bowl, where it pounded Big East champion Pittsburgh.

Two years later, after access was relaxed to a top-12 finish, Boise State of the Western Athletic Conference finished No. 8 and shocked Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Last year, Hawaii finished No. 10 and did not shock Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, but a 2-1 record against the big shots is impressive.

Undefeated won't buy BYU what it used to.

In 1984, long before the BCS, the Cougars actually won the national title by beating mediocre Michigan, in the Holiday Bowl, played on . . . Dec. 21.

The formula now used to select title-game participants makes it highly improbable -- but not, technically, impossible -- for a team outside the six power conferences to play for the national championship.

These days, you take what the commissioners give, and that's a guaranteed chance to play in the Rose, Orange, Fiesta or Sugar bowls.

In order, here's a look at the schools with the best chance to finish in this year's BCS top 12:

* BYU. It makes sense. The Cougars return the important pieces of the team that capped last year's 11-2 season with a win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

BYU should get a better running start in the polls than Hawaii, which last year began No. 24 in the preseason coaches' index.

BYU has a tough enough nonconference schedule to satisfy the power-ranking police -- Northern Iowa, at Washington, UCLA -- and a reasonable chance to win all its games.

* Utah. Another Mountain West entry and the team that could supplant BYU for the BCS spot because . . . Utah hosts BYU on Nov. 22 in the regular-season finale.

Utah, 9-4 last year, has two chances to build trust with nonconference games at Michigan on Aug. 30 and an Oct. 2 home date against Oregon State.

* Texas Christian. This really could be the Mountain West's year. TCU has flirted with BCS berths before, and could be in the mix if it goes unbeaten in conference.

TCU's big problem is Sept. 27 at Oklahoma.

* Fresno State. Probably the best the WAC has to offer this year. The issue, as it is most years for Pat Hill's Bulldogs, is the schedule. Fresno State opens the season at Rutgers, comes home for Wisconsin and Toledo before a possible roadblock at UCLA. A 4-0 start against that schedule probably puts the Bulldogs in the top 10, and then it's only a matter of whacking everyone in the WAC.

Hall Named Walter Camp Player-of-the-Year Candidate

by Jeff Reynolds, BYU Athletic Communications

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 18, 2008) – The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced BYU junior quarterback Max Hall is one of 35 “players to watch” for its prestigious Player of the Year award, the nation’s fourth-oldest individual college football accolade.

“We are proud to continue the great work of Walter Camp and recognize the best college football players in the nation,” Foundation president John Barbarotta said. “This watch list is a great start to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of college football.”

In his first year as a starter in 2007, Hall put in the fourth best performance by a first-year quarterback at BYU to date and was the nation's top sophomore quarterback in terms of passing yards. On the season, the Mesa, Ariz., native completed 298-of-496 passes for 3,848 yards and 26 touchdowns.

With his performance, Hall led the 2007 Cougars to their second-straight Mountain West Conference title with an 11-2 record and a perfect 8-0 record against league opponents. Hall earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors as the league's top quarterback and help guide the Cougars to a Las Vegas Bowl victory over UCLA.

Five players on the 2008 watch list – Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis, Florida QB Tim Tebow, Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum and South Florida DE George Selvie – were named to last year’s Walter Camp All-America First Team. Last year’s recipient was Arkansas running back and current Oakland Raider Darren McFadden.

The watch list will be narrowed to 15 semi-finalists in early November. The 2008 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 119 NCAA Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s annual national awards banquet on January 10, 2009 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.

Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation—a New Haven-based all-volunteer group—was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

AP Top 25

The AP top 25 poll was released yesterday. As expected, BYU continues to make the rankings. The AP poll puts them at 16.

1. Georgia

2. Ohio State

3. USC

4. Oklahoma

5. Florida

6. Missouri

7. LSU

8. West Virginia

9. Clemson

10. Auburn

11. Texas

12. Texas Tech

13. Wisconsin

14. Kansas

15. Arizona State

16. Brigham Young

17. Virginia Tech

18. Tennessee

19. South Florida

20. Illinois

21. Oregon

22. Penn State

23. Wake Forest

24. Alabama

25. Pittsburgh

Quest for Perfection

Bronco Mendenhall speaks on this year's theme - The Quest for Perfection.

2010 Schedule

BYU has completed its 2010 football schedule, announcing yesterday that a game with Nevada will be played in Provo.

It is the completion of a three-game series that began in 2001. The two teams will meet on Sept. 25, 2010, at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Nevada pulled out of the Cougars' 2008 schedule to pick up a home game against Grambling State. BYU countered by signing a one-game deal for a home game against Northern Iowa.

With the addition of Nevada to the 2010 schedule, the Cougars will also play in Provo against Washington and will travel to Florida State and Utah State.

Wide receiver Reed gunning for a strong finish to his Cougar career

Darnell Dickson - Daily Herald | Thursday, August 14, 2008, 2:00 am

The clock is ticking for BYU senior wide receiver Michael Reed. After BYU's 17-16 Las Vegas Bowl win over UCLA in December, Reed took a break and went home to Baytown, Texas. While there, he thought about the fact he had just one more year of college football remaining. "I was thinking that this is it for me," he said. "My years at BYU have flown by. I was thinking about the things I've accomplished and the things I still need to accomplish. I look at this team and say to myself, 'Hey I'm a senior. How great would it be to go undefeated and be a part of that?' " That's Reed: He's always dreamed big. Before his sophomore season, he said one of his goals was to lead the league in receiving. While he's put up decent stats in his three years (87 receptions, 1,060 yards, eight touchdowns) he's mostly earned his reputation as a receiver who's not afraid to go over the middle and someone who can often make spectacular catches. During fall camp he's been Max Hall's go-to guy, since No. 1 receiver Austin Collie is nursing a stress fracture. "We all hope Austin gets back real soon because he's such a big part of our offense," Reed said. "But it's opened doors for younger players like (former Timpview standout) Luke Ashworth, O'Neill Chambers and Spencer Hafoka to show coaches what they can do. Things are looking good right now. I'm just excited for this year." Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been watching the young receivers closely. "The last three days Luke has made a strong push in terms of confidence and knowledge of assignments," he said, "adding finishing plays with it. What I've seen is that most likely he'd be after Austin and Mike." The BYU offense has opened things up a little in the second week of fall camp and has been finding the end zone regularly in practice. "The offense has been picking it up," Reed said. "We have a few guys here with experience. The offensive line is doing an outstanding job for the quarterback, running backs and receivers." When Collie, who has 109 receptions in two seasons, gets healthy, BYU will pretty much be at full strength offensively. "We can be as good as we want to be," Reed said. "There's only so much our coaches can teach us about the plays, then it's up to us. If we just come together each day, the sky's the limit with this team."

ESPN Power Rankings

ESPN recently released their pre-season power rankings. BYU came in at 14. Its seems as though the nation is starting to see that BYU football is a force to be reckoned with. 1. Georgia

2. USC

3. Ohio State

4. Florida

5. Oklahoma

6. Missouri

7. Clemson

8. West Virginia

9. LSU

10. Auburn

11. Texas

12. Wisconsin

13. Texas Tech

14. Brigham Young

15. Arizona State

16. Virginia Tech

17. Oregon

18. South Florida

19. Tennessee

20. Penn State

21. Kansas

22. Illinois

23. Alabama

24. Pittsburgh

25. Fresno State

Tialavea back, ready to make an impact

Darnell Dickson - Daily Herald | Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 2:01 am

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall calls him "one of the great stories of the year." He's talking about junior Russell Tialavea's return from a serious knee injury suffered before the start of the 2007 season. Last year, the Cougars turned to true freshman Eathyn Manumaleuna to fill the nose tackle spot, with Rick Wofley and Mosese Foketi coming off the bench. But Tialavea is back and healthy, and Mendenhall couldn't be more pleased to have the big San Diego native anchoring the middle of the defense. "Russell has struggled on and off the field with his conduct, the classroom and his work ethic," Mendenhall said frankly. "He always had exceptional talent. He has declared himself committed by working hard and being consistent. I'm very proud of him. He's been one of the bright spots so far." Tialavea redshirted as a freshman in 2005 and made an impact the following season, starting seven games and logging 22 tackles (11 solo) and two blocked field goals. But his sophomore season never got started. He was injured during fall camp and sat out 2007. With the help of strength and conditioning coach Jay Omer, Tialavea made his way back to health. He lost 30 pounds (down to 300) and impressed coaches with his renewed commitment. "It feels really good to be out here," Tialavea said. "I missed it and I'm excited for this fall. I've been impressed with how I came out. Not so much like how it showed on the field but how my knee felt. I knew I had to work hard to come back from such a big injury. Coach Omer and Coach Mendenhall really helped me along the way." The nose tackle in BYU's 3-4 is often used to tie up blockers, not necessarily to make plays. Ironically, Manumaleuna made perhaps the biggest defensive play of the 2007 season with his blocked field goal that preserved BYU's win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. After posting 25 tackles from the nose tackle spot, Manumaleuna is now serving an LDS mission. Mendenhall said Tialavea brings something extra to the nose tackle position. "He's a completely different player in terms of speed, quickness and explosiveness," Mendenhall said. "He's a playmaker and becomes more than a block occupier. He can make plays from B gap to B gap." For his part, the soft-spoken Tialavea raves about his teammates abilities rather than his own. "We can probably make a D-line for two teams right now," he said. "We have so many guys at all the spots that look good. I bring a little experience to nose, and a couple of other things. We'll see how it goes." The defensive line is as deep as any position on the team. Junior Jan Jorgensen, who said earlier this summer that Tialavea is often the best player on the field when he lines up, returns at one end after leading the MWC in sacks. Juniors Ian Dulan and Brett Denney will likely split time at the other end, with redshirt freshman Matt Putnam impressing coaches with his rush end ability so far in fall camp. Junior college transfers Tevita Hola and Bernard Afutiti have arrived to give BYU a lot of options on the line. But it's Tialavea who might make the biggest impact on game day. "I'd rather play nose than any other position," he said. "It's closer to the quarterback and more fun because there's a lot of fighting in there. I can't wait, especially playing with my boy Vic (linebacker Vic So'oto, who grew up with Tialavea in the San Diego area). That's what I'm most excited about. I'm glad he came over to the light side." • The old ball coach: BYU coaching legend LaVell Edwards was on hand Tuesday and chatted briefly with Mendenhall during practice. "He said it looks like we're making wise decisions on handling practice," Mendenhall said. "As a young coach, that's reassuring to hear. It's nice to have that wisdom." • Coming out, going in: BYU worked on situation specific 11-on-11 drills -- coming out from the goal line and going in from the 20, or blue zone. Max Hall had touchdown passes to tight ends Dennis Pitta and Andrew George from near the goal line. He also completed a third-down pass to senior wide receiver Michael Reed for a 25-yard touchdown and zipped a 32-yard completion to redshirt freshman Spencer Hafoka earlier in practice. "There was a lot of great teaching from coming out," Mendenhall said. "If the defense doesn't have sense of urgency, they'll give up field position. In the goal line scoring, the offense was very proficient today. That's not surprising because of who we have coming back on offense. We're a different football team with Dennis and Harvey (Unga) in there." • Fair caught: While Mendenhall had Unga returning punts and kicks during Tuesday's practice, don't expect to see the starting tailback doing it during games. The players who would have been returning punts were either being held out of practice or on the punt cover team during the drill. Mendenhall said junior wide receiver Austin Collie, senior wide receiver Reed White and sophomore wide receiver Luke Ashworth are his top three return men so far for both punt and kickoff returns. Younger players like true freshman O'Neill Chambers will also be developed for returns. • On the mend: Senior running back Fui Vakapuna (hamstring) was healthy enough to get his most work of fall camp. He had a couple of solid lead blocks that sprung Unga for nice gains during team drills. "He looked better," Mendenhall said. "It's fun to be able to see him move faster. He knows what to do and he's making progress, though it's probably slower than he or I would like. Today was the first sign of us being able to push him a little bit." • Early captains: Team captains won't be selected until the end of fall camp but Mendenhall announced three of the four special teams captains: Matt Bauman (punt), Jorgensen (kickoff return) and David Nixon (kickoff). As a point of emphasis after a poor performance in 2007, the punt return captain won't be picked until later. These captains, with the help of the coaches, pick personnel and decide on depth charts for their units. • A pat on the back: During special teams drills, walk-on defensive back Tana Uyema forced punter C.J. Santiago to abort a punt attempt by breaking through the blocking wall. Some 40 yards away, Mendenhall called Uyema over to tell him "nice job" and slapped hands with him. • Extra points: With David Tafuna out (concussion), redshirt freshman Jordan Pendleton has been getting some work at the Kat safety spot with the No. 1 defense. Mendenhall said Pendleton was in a three-way battle for the No. 4 safety spot with true freshman Shiloah Te'o and Daniel Sorensen. ... Junior linebacker Matt Ah You (bruised sternum) sat out of practice on Tuesday. Junior Shawn Doman played in his place. Bauman, who injured his foot riding a scooter before fall camp began, was back participating in all drills for the first time. ... The second unit offensive line consisted of sophomore Garrett Reden at center, JC transfer Jesse Taufi and sophomore Jason Speredon at guards and sophomore Nick Alletto and freshman Brock Stringham at tackles.

BYU and Utah in BCS?

In a recent article by Graham Watson of ESPN, it was said that the end of season rivalry game between BYU and Utah could not only decide the MWC champion, but also could send one of the teams to the BCS. We all know which team it will be. You can find the complete article here. Might I also mention, that this article was on the front page of the ESPN college football section.

Max Hall considered a clutch player for 2008

ESPN announced on August 1, 2008 that Max Hall has been named to the top ten clutch players of 2008 list. He is expected to be one of the leading quarterback in the nation this year. As a part of this list he is among the likes of Pat White (West Virginia) and Tim Tebow (Florida). Both players were Heisman trophy candidates in 2007 and Tebow won the award. Click here to find out what else ESPN had to say about Hall.

Pre-Season USA Today Poll

The BYU cougars will begin the season ranked number 17 in the nation. This should give them enough of an edge to break into the BCS games in January. USA Today Poll

1. Georgia

2. USC

3. Ohio State

4. Oklahoma

5. Florida

6. LSU

7. Missouri

8. West Virginia

9. Clemson

10. Texas

11. Auburn

12. Wisconsin

13. Kansas

14. Texas Tech

15. Virginia Tech

16. Arizona State

17. Brigham Young

18. Tennessee

19. Illinois

20. Oregon

21. South Florida

22. Penn State

23. Wake Forest

24. Michigan

25. Fresno State