Fan-tastic Football

With 64,105 fantastic fans in attendance at Lavell Edwards stadium saturday the Cougars fought and scrapped its way in a shortened game (2 HR 36 MIN) to a 21-3 victory. It was the 57th meeting between the two schools and extended the nation's longest winning streak to 16 straight games. The series began in 1951 and since 1965 the Cougs have won 37 of 43. Saturdays matchup with New Mexico was BYUs 10 straight sellout and gave the Cougs bowl eligibility. (Photo credit goes to Brian Nicholson from the Deseret News)

Alumni Chris Hoke (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and current player junior linebacker Matt Bauman led the team onto the field as flag bearers. The Cougs were able to win the coin toss and elected to defer. With New Mexico taking the field first the Lobos were able to score first on a James Aho 27 yard FG. The Lobos were also able to hold the jerseys in blue scoreless in the opening quarter. New Mexico ran the ball much of the game for 144 bruising yards keeping the Cougar offensive machine off the field much of the day. Thus the Lobo gameplan worked rather efficiently running clock (32:32 for Lobo time of possession) and limiting opponent offensive opportunities.

When given the chance on the field to take care of business Max Hall began working the defense ultimately distributing to five different receivers one of which included 3 receptions to junior tight end Andrew George (2 of which went for TDs). Amazingly through 6 games while providing more than ample protection for Hall the OL has still yet to have a single holding penalty. Hall finished with only 258 yards but threw efficiently for 3 TDs en route to another Cougar hard fought victory while posting a 159.3 QB rating (per Greg Wrubell). Austin continued to make his magic happen dissecting the Lobo defense with 9 catches on the day for 155 yards and 1 TD. Collie's 155 receiving yards was his fourth straight 100 yard game.

Harvey was able to bruise his way to nearly yet another 100 yard game. The cougars ground game collectively finished with 122 yards and was the 14th consecutive win when rushing for over 100 yards.

With the Cougars lowest offensive output of the season it was more of a defensive struggle. Lobo coach Rocky Long mentioned "We came here to win, we didn't come to keep it close". It was exactly as Bronco described it "It's a great win for our football team because of the way it came, hard fought inch by inch foot by foot". The defensive jerseys in blue came up big in many ways as the tackles piled up. Both David Nixon, Jan Jorgensen had 11 tackles. Nixon, the stellar senior linebacker from College Station had 2 of those for losses. Kellen Fowler and Scott Johnson both accumulated 10 tackles each. The Cougars held Rodney Ferguson (the conference's 2nd leading rusher) to only 90 yards. Jan Jorgensen said it well "We're definately happy with that defense. To hold them to three points that's what most important". The jerseys in blue created two turnovers and opportunities. David Tafuna was the recipient of a tipped pass INT and Jorgensen snagged up a fumble.

Overall the Cougs took the Lobos best shot while defending its home turf. Postgame Rocky was rather bitter complaining about officiating rather than giving credit where it was due. With another Cougars victory they took another step forward towards the BCS quest stating their case. Now whether the BCS pollsters stand by them could be another story.