Cougars Get Back on Track

BYU battled it’s way to a 42-23 victory over the CSU rams, ending their 6 game winning streak.  The Cougars converted two interceptions and a blocked punt into and early lead.  CSU battled their way through the 2nd and 3rd quarters trying to keep it close, but each time they cut into BYU’s lead, the cougars seemed to be able to answer.  The game also saw the first full game for Harvey Unga, who ran for 113 yards and 3 tds.  Hall went 18-29 for 241 yards, 2 TD’s, but also 2 Ints.

Sep 26th by Jim

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The Cougars Continue to Roll!

BYUvsTulane from James B Ellison on Vimeo.

Sep 14th by Jim

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At first look, it seems like Tulane should be an easy W for the Cougars.  But If you look at the passing yardage they compiled against Tulsa, the Cougs could be in for a bit of a game.

Tulane Rushing D

This is where Tulane looked the most vulnerable.  Unfortunately, BYU’s best running back is a game time decision, and there is still a decent drop off  from Unga to  Kariya.  Don’t get me wrong, Brian totally impressed me with last weeks performance, and I like his tough running style.  But still think he is not the big play back that Unga is.  Still, behind Tonga’s blocking, even without Unga, we should still have a solid rushing output. Tulane’s 4-3 seems to have some soft spots, and the Cougars will be able to run well enough to do what they need to do.

Tulane’s Passing D

Cougars showed that they could pass against Oklahoma’s defense.  Tulane’s will not be as tough, though they have some experienced corners, But so did the Sooners.  I think BYU has too many weapons and Hall seems to know how to use them all.

BYU’s Rushing D

The Boys in Blue shut down Oklahoma’s two thousand yard rushers.  Tulane does not look to be as much of a rushing team either.  I think the cougs win this matchup.

BYU’s Passing D

This is also an area that BYU appears to be very improved.  I liked that our corners were denying the ball to Sooner receivers instead of just limiting their yardage after the catch.  Tulane appears to be a pretty good passing team, and Coach Toledo will probably be pulling all the stops out to try to surprise the Cougars after their big win.  If Tulane is to have success, it will probably be through the air. Cougars could have a let down after such a big week and I predict that Tulane may score more point than many figure, but expect the Cougars to come out on top.  38-24

Sep 11th by Jim

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The biggest win in Cougar football of the 21st century to date!

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Sep 08th by Tyler

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Sep 01st by Tyler

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Aug 30th by Tyler

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Aug 20th by Tyler

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I love this time of year.  The full football season looms large before us, and the hopeful anticipation of a great year has yet to be dashed to pieces.  Here are several reasons that I am very excited for the upcoming season.

1.  Great Schedule

BYU opens with Oklahoma in a great venue.  Just like the 1990 game against, then ranked, number one Miami,  The Cougs have the chance to get a huge game right out of the gates.  Even if they lose in a kept it close kind of moral battle,  this could help the Cats gain some national attention and respect.

They also get Florida State,  Air Force, Utah, CSU, and TCU at home. Considering the Cougars Home record as of late, that flat out excites me.

2. Senior Leadership:

As Jeff Call of the D news recently pointed out, BYU has won 81 percent of it’s games started by a senior QB in modern Cougar history. (since 1974)  Looking at Brandon Doman’s and John Beck’s senior years gives me great hope for similar results from Max Hall.  On Defense, Jan Jorgensen anchors a solid D line made up of senior talent.  Matt Bauman has been the guy calling everyone to get together and study film and seems poised to step up into more of a leadeship role.

3. Secondary Depth

Something that BYU has rarely had has been depth in their secondary.  With the  emergence of Young Talent such as Robbie Buckner,  Garrett Nicholsen, and Shiloah Teo plus the addition of 3 JC cornerbacks (Logan, Eason, and Aguirre) combined with the return of Scott Johnson, Adrew Rich, and Brando Bradley, the cougars look to have several options at positions where they have been very thin in recent years.

4. Change in Coach Positioning

Robert Anae is going upstairs to the Booth, and Patrick Higgins and Brandon Doman are coming down on the field.  This does several positive things in my estimation.  It gives the man calling the plays, a better look at what is truly going on.  It gives the position coaches, time to coach and make game time adjustments.  And, according to some sources, it may put the right personalities in the the right places. I love and admire  Coach Anae, but he has been know to be quite emotional, even perhaps at some times when the players need someone to settle them down, help them refocus, and get ready to come back out and do better.  I think this move maximizes the benefits and minimizes the liabilities for each Coach.

5.  Multiple Quality Receivers

This years receiver corps may be the best best top to bottom of any BYU corp of receivers.  I know that is a bold statement, But  when you consider vetrans Dennis Pita, Andrew George,  Mckay Jacobsen, O’Neill Chambers, Spencer Hafoka and Luke Ashworth, combined with talented new comers such as Brett Thompson, Mitch Mathews, Cody Hoffman, and Braden Brown, there are a lot of targets for Max Hall to throw to.  BYU is an offense that relies on it’s ability to pass the ball, and there is no lack of potential in that area.

5. It’s almost Fall

It’s just a seasonal thing.  I am always excited for the start of another football season.  As news from practices pour through the blogs and boards, my discretionary time (and some of my productive time) gets swallowed up in the ferver and excitement.  Now if I can just contain myself unti the season finally kicks off.

Aug 12th by Jim

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It’s March Madness again! The Selection Committee met, fans gathered around their televisions, waiting for the big announcement of where the cougars would be playing, and who would be their opponent. As ESPN announcer declared the brackets, there was a a sense of  “dejá vu”.

Once again, the Cougars are the 8 seed.  Once again, they’re matched up against the Aggies of Texas A&M.  I almost expected Bill Murray to jump out of my closet as my clock radio to began to blair out  “I got you Babe”. So what do the Cougars need to do this time to create a different outcome.

Compete on the Boards:

Last year, the Aggies owned the boards, and pulled down 13 more than the boys in Blue.  This years edition of the A&M is also a tough rebounding team, pulling down and average of 5+ more rebounds than their opponents. If the Cougars can keep the battle of the boards even and limit A&M for getting quick and easy putbacks, they should be in pretty good shape.

Come Out Quick:

Last year, the Cougs missed several early shots, getting behind 11-0 before they started to relax and play the game.  This year, the Cougars need to come out of the gates ready to play, and not get down early.

Make their Free-throws:

The Aggies got to the free-throw line almost 300 more times this year than did their adversaries.  BYU needs to try to keep the free throw attempts even, and convert when they do get to the line.

The Opportunity:

The Cougars are in familiar territory.  they have been here before.  This will be a great chance for them to relax, use what they know from last year, and come out to find a smile on their faces the next morning.

Mar 18th by Jim

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As of 7:45 MST letter were received from:

Jordan Atkinson

Remington Peck

Fono Vakalahi

Terry Alletto

7:50

Craig Bills

8:20

Mitch Mathews

Tui Crichton

8:25

Brad Wilcox

8:55

Anthony Heimuli

Ryan Mulitalo

10:50 update

Cody Hoffman

Thomas Bryson

Peni Maka’afi

Trevor Bateman

Richard Wilson

Brett Thompson

Brian Logan

10:25

Kyle Van Noy

Adam Hine (Timo)

Lee Aguirre

10:40

Jray Galea’l

Feb 04th by Jim

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