From Deseret News archives:
Defense makes its point
And that number would be "eight" — as in the Cougars holding the nation's eighth-best offense in total yards to a mere eight points in a 38-8 rout.
"We knew they had an explosive offense and that we had to contain them," said linebacker David Nixon. "They have great speed in all aspects of the game, and we held them to eight points."
Those eight points came on a 47-yard desperation-type heave from Oregon substitute quarterback Dennis Dixon to Brian Paysinger well into the fourth quarter and a two-point PAT run by Jeremiah Johnson.
Had the Cougars kept their opponents out of the end zone, the Ducks would have suffered their first shutout since a 63-0 shellacking by Nebraska in September 1985.
"I didn't hear very much about our defense, only about the No. 8-ranked offense this team had, but I think the story has turned," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said.
All this from a defense that barely blitzed, content instead to sit back in zone coverage and read the Duck receivers.
"We weren't worried," said linebacker Aaron Wagner. "We were trying to be respectful — we knew they were a great offense that put up great numbers. But we knew we were a great defense that could play with anybody."
Headlining the defensive effort were linebacker Cameron Jensen with a team-high eight tackles, including four solo and one of the Cougars' four sacks; and lineman Russell Tialavea, a fixture in the Duck backfield with several tackles for losses.
The BYU secondary came in as the biggest question mark against Oregon's taller, faster receivers, with key corners Ben Criddle (injured toe) and Kayle Buchanan (broken leg) missing.
Against Oregon, cornerback Justin Robinson picked off two Duck passes and broke up another pair, fellow corner Cole Miyahira came up with five solo stops, and the secondary aided in several "coverage sacks" while sticking to receivers like Velcro.
"We were really confident," said Miyahira, adding that in last year's bowl loss to Cal, "we came in and were a little nervous. It was a totally different feeling this year with the team we had. We were just ready."
Said Wagner of the secondary's performance: "They knew a lot of pressure was on them and that everyone was going to have the eagle eye on them — and they just stepped up."
E-mail: taylor@desnews.com
