With the rebels coming into town on the 25th it couldn't come at a better time after the sinking of the cougars BCS ship against TCU. The jerseys in blue return to the friendly confines of Lavell Edwards Stadium still clinging to a 16 home win streak trying to regain some composure and confidence.
Former walkon quarterback Omar Clayton (6.1/200 Soph) will lead the offense onto the field supported by senior Frank "The Tank" Summers. No introduction really necessary for Summers. Any questions about Frank? Just ask the yewts when he burned them last season for 190 yards and 2 TDs. In the mold of Unga he's a big physical bruiser bulldozer of a back (5.10/240) who can steamroll up precious yards in the blink of an eye.
At the wideouts are a talented trio of Ryan Wolfe (6.1/205 JR), Casey Flair (6.1/195 SR), and Phillip Payne (6.3/185 FR) who have 12 TDs and have piled up over 1,000 receiving yards combined. Wolfe and Flair currently rank 4th and 7th in conference receiving.
At left tackle is super sophomore Matt Murphy (6.3/300, was a freshman All American). Johan Asiata (6.4/315 SR) returns but switched from right tackle to left gaurd this season. Sophomore John Gianninoto (6.3/285) takes over at center. On the right side is Joe Hawley (6.3/295 JR) and Evan Marchal (6.6/295 Soph). The hogs in the rebel offensive trenches appear to be one of the better experienced and talented crews of the Sanford era.
On the ends and tackles defensively the rebels start Isaako Aaitui (6.3/290 Soph), Malo Taumua (6.0/275 Soph), Marten Tevaseu (6.3/320 JR) and Thor Pili (6.3/275 SR) who can wreak some havoc. Beau Bell (arguably among the best LB in school history) might be gone but the rebels have a LB corps deep in promise. Starr Fuimaono (5.11/215 JR) leads the rebuilt crew. At the middle LB is Ronnie Paulo (6.1/230 Soph) while Jason Beauchamp 6.3/215 JR) covers the OLB spot.
Sophomore standout Quinton Pointer (5.9/185) started eight games as a freshman leads the secondary depth. Geoff Howard (5.10/195 SR) mans the other corner. Junior Daryl Forte (5.10/185 JR) is a two year starter at safery. Junior Terrance Lee (6.0/175, Arizona Western College transfer) splits at strong safety.
Thursday will highlight the tangle in Texas between two of the featured nationally ranked teams from the MWC. The highly anticipated matchup at Amon G Carter Stadium (likely filled to capacity or 44,358 fans) in Fort Worth will be televised on VS with the game call from Joe Beninati while the analysis breakdown to be provided compliments of Glenn Parker (former Kansas City Chiefs OL who spanned a 12 yr career). It will be the 7th contest between the schools with the Cougars holding a 5-2 matchup record edge since the series began in 1987. The #8 ranked Cougars(6-0) will be coming into town in style carrying the nation's longest win streak at 16. The horned frogs (6-1) currently are among tops in the nation in numerous defensive categories. TCU is #1 at rushing defense at allowing opponents an average of 20.71 yards per game. Yes, only 20.71 yards per game. TCU even held then #1 Oklahoma to 25 hard fought rushing yards. The horned frogs also lead the nation in sacks and are 2nd overall in tackles for loss. The purple jerseys are even ranked 9th nationally at turnover margin. BYUs offensive machine averages over 320 yards per game. In a clash of the MWC titans something has to give. TCUs stingy defense or the Cougs high octane offense. Only one will emerge from the battlefield thursday victorious.
Recently Brandon Davies gave head coach Dave Rose his verbal to wear the Cougar blue jersey. Davies, a low post player and 4 star recruit (according to scout.com) from Provo HS was drawing interest from Arizona, California, Gonzaga and Utah State. On the low block Brandon has some sweet footwork and faces the basket incredibly well. He can play either the mid or high post well and is able to step out drain 15 footers with regularity. Davies (6-8/230) has solid hoop instinct, is a great shot blocker and does a excellent job on the boards. When double teamed or in transition Brandon has decent ball handling skills to take care of the rock or getting it into the right hands. Of his decision Brandon mentioned "It just felt right to choose BYU. It's close to home and I have a huge support system...". Since he's only 17 Davies plans on playing two seasons before deciding on any mission plans. Welcome aboard Brandon and best wishes to a sensational future. (photo credit Craig Dilger/Daily Herald)
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.
