Wow. BYU wins.
I guess that’s why you play the games. Two weeks ago SDSU crushed USU. Last week USU crushed BYU. So SDSU should really crush BYU right? Wrong. In a rock-paper-scissors-like twist, BYU beat SDSU this afternoon 24-21.
BYU did it with some really solid defense, a bruising running game, only a few passes, and some lucky calls by the refs. On the defensive side, Bronco’s decision last week to fire defensive coordinator Jaime Hill and take over that role himself looked really smart today. This was easily the best defensive performance of the year by BYU. They were especially effective at stopping the run. On offensive side, the o-line really showed up today and the running back committee of DiLuigi, Kariya, and Quezada pounded and pounded all afternoon. BYU ran the ball more than 70% of the time and completely dominated the time of possession by a 3-1 margin. As for the lucky calls, there was a borderline pass interference call late in the game that was useful to BYU. But the real doozy was the DiLuigi fumble that should have gone to SDSU in the 3rd quarter. BYU somehow was awarded the ball even after an officials review that showed it really was a fumble. It was likely because the line judge blew the whistle really early, perhaps before either team secured the ball. Aztec fans will be angry about that one for a long time (and rightfully so).
The game was as close as it was because of some silly mistakes by BYU. Jake Heaps made a bad pass into the end zone that was intercepted. Chalk that up to him being a freshman. One of the young tight ends had a really silly fumble that BYU lost as well. And the punter Stephenson shanked another 12 yard punt which didn’t help. Nevertheless BYU did just enough to win. Interestingly, BYU’s magic number is 24. When BYU scores 24 or more or holds the opponents to less than 24 BYU normally wins. Both of those happened today.
Perhaps this will be a turning point for this team. BYU fans sure hope so. BYU will face a top 5 team next week at TCU so that one will be very hard to win but there are some much easier games on tap after that. One think is for sure — this season looks better for BYU than it did after the game in Logan. This was a huge win for BYU and dramatically improves the Cougars’ chances of going at least 6-6 and making a bowl game.
Geoff, this wasn’t even up on MA when I clicked over to your site in hopes of some news (sports illustrated still doesn’t have a recap or details).
Thanks.
Comment by Stephen M (Ethesis) — October 9, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
As always, I appreciate you keeping those of us in the hinterlands informed.
Comment by Kevin Barney — October 9, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
Yeah, super bad calls. The pass interference didn’t even look like a close call. The ball was just thrown way behind Chambers. He had no chance at it, contact or no. But hey, the Cougs at least played well enough to be in a position to take advantage of the lucky calls and get the win. No amount of terrible officiating could have given them wins in the past few weeks. So that’s progress at least. (Not that the bad calls necessarily gave them the win; they sure did help, though.
That fumble by the tight end was ridiculous. You learn not carry the ball out in front of you like that in junior high or earlier. You could see the fumble coming from a mile away.
Comment by Tom — October 9, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Great review Geoff. Thanks
Comment by Jared — October 9, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Geoff, good for BYU. This classless Utah fan was actually starting to feel sorry for the Cougars. I’m glad they won.
Comment by R. Gary — October 9, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
Hehe. Thanks Gary.
Speaking of the phrase “classless Utes”, did everyone see that Max Hall will be the starting QB tomorrow for the Arizona Cardinals? It is a pretty amazing story considering Max went undrafted last Spring. Go Max!
Comment by Geoff J — October 9, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
He actually looks pretty good wearing red.
Comment by R. Gary — October 10, 2010 @ 3:23 am
Now, if wheatandtares.org gets on the MA, my week will be complete ;)
Still, BYU had 45 minutes to 15 on time of possession, and almost twice the yards of offense. The numbers make them look like they deserved to win.
Comment by Stephen M (Ethesis) — October 10, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
Clearly Max Hall is “living right on and off the field” (to quote Austin Collie). HUGE win today for the undrafted rookie in his first starting game facing the defending NFL champs.
Comment by Geoff J — October 10, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Matt Hall is a triumph for Mendenhall.
Comment by Stephen M (Ethesis) — October 10, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
I didn’t see the game as I was driving to LA. But from just looking at the score it does seem like the defense let up a lot of points that second half to make it more competitive than it should have been. Were those actually primarily due to our butterfingered receivers?
Comment by Clark — October 11, 2010 @ 10:42 am
What’s worse is that Florida is losing games! What up with that?!?
Comment by John C. — October 11, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Geoff,
I am of the view that for most of the season there was something wrong in the lockeroom/issues with team chemistry etc. I think the firing of Hill indicates that that was true. I think Texas is having a problem like that right now as well.
Comment by bbell — October 14, 2010 @ 8:47 am
Yep I think that is right bbell. Bronco said after the Hill firing that he had not yet gotten to the “heart and soul” of this team. It seems like his jolt to the system paid quick dividends though with the surprise win last week. I think this team probably has turned a corner. Probably not enough of a corner to beat TCU this week but enough of a corner to make it closer than the predicted 30 point spread.
Comment by Geoff J — October 14, 2010 @ 9:15 am
Well I can’t bring myself to post on the TCU game today. I do have to give props to the Vegas odds makers though. They picked TCU by 29.5 and it took an inspired defensive effort by BYU to lose by only 28.
It is really painful to have to watch a declawed and toothless BYU offense. BYU managed only 3 points and they even made that look hard. Of course TCU has the best defense BYU will see this year but it was still painful to see.
Comment by Geoff J — October 16, 2010 @ 7:46 pm