Crum-y Rodeo

Saturday's defensive display by the Cougars began on Wyoming's first drive when they quickly found the scoreboard. For the lasso'd cowboys it was all downhill from there. Sophomore quarterback Dax Crum began methodically directing his offense down the field. When he threw to his receiver Greg Bolling it was tipped and with Scott Johnson's heads up play who snagged the football like a cookie and ran in the lateral 58 yards putting the Cougars in the scoring column. At that point the defensive shutout and show was on. It began the Cougar's first back to back shutouts in 23 years. The only remaining question would be at what point would Bronco eventually pull the starters (I think I recall hearing Max ordering a large pepperoni, olives and mushrooms late in the third quarter). That afternoon the Cougars feasted on turnovers. When the Cowboys (or any opponent) gives up a cookie six times (3 INTs and 3 fumbles) it pretty much will cement that kind of defensive success. It was also the eighth straight sellout at Lavell Edwards Stadium.

With a slow start it wasn't until midway through the second quarter that Max Hall and his compadres finally began adding their ingredients onto the scoreboard when Unga capped off a 13 play drive covering 86 yards. Harvey bruised his way to another 100+ yards on the ground (103) good for a 5.2 average with cover provided by his personal assistant Vakapuna paving the way (man its great to have Fui back!). Hall continue to pad his efficent numbers to his stats with 3 more TDs on only 26 attempts. Through four games, much like the 7/11 convenient store, the phenomenal offensive line have protected Max not allowing one sack allowing time for his receivers to be open all day. Hall's highlight was completely in sync with a pass completion to Austin Collie covering 62 yards stride for stride. Giving credit to his defense Austin said "The defense is unbelievable. It's the reason why we are winning games".

Obviously the Cougar "D" was the highlight of "The Rodeo" saturday afternoon in protecting their home turf in their fourteenth consecutive win. The blue jerseys held the cowboy dynamic senior duo of Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon to an unheard of 1.2 average yards per carry while forcing the 6 turnovers. David Nixon grabbed himself a 19 yard INT returned for a TD late in the third quarter and added his thoughts "Anytime you get that momentum and emotion on your side it's going to be a good day. College football is all about emotion". Reserve defensive back Jordan Pendleton got hooked up with an INT as well. Snow College transfer Andrew Rich got into the action with a slobber knocker hit on Devin Moore taking him out of the contest midway through the fourth quarter. Linebacker Matt Bauman reiterated the same thoughts as Nixon in "We got the momentum and so much of the game is about momentum". The cowboys last two trecks westward along the trail to LES have been an absolute nightmare in a combined 99 to 7 shellacking.

After the game Coach Glenn said of the turnovers and defense "That's pathetic. We can't do that to ourselves. They're a real good football team and took advantage of all our mistakes. I appreciate the coaching calling off the dogs". Definately classy words from a coach who has a good chance of being unemployed two months from now. Cowboy receiver Greg Bolling added his two cents "That's a good defense that we went against today. If you shoot yourself in the foot BYU will get to you." At 44 to nothing (and back to back shutouts) one might say that defensive coach Jaime has done a "Hill" of a job. The shutout gave the Cougars a perfect 4-0 record and they will now have a bye week to rest before heading to Logan to grab some aggie ice cream and take on Utah State.