BYU's Unga steals rushing thunder

LAS VEGAS — This was supposed to be an extension of the UNLV Frank Summer's Show, but BYU freshman sensation Harvey Unga stole the spotlight, the marquee billboard and all the billing here in a town that feasts on headliners.

UNLV's Frank the Tank?

How about Harvey the Humvee?

BYU shook off a turnover-plagued first half and a 7-6 halftime lead, riding Unga to a 17-6 third quarter lead by unleashing a dominating run game. The Rebels had no answer for that Cougar change-up and all Summers could do was watch from the sidelines.

Summers, who had 190 yards against Utah and was sniffing his fourth-straight 100 yard game, got just 51 yards on 13 carries.

"Harvey's doing a nice job. He continues to grow and improve," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. "He was effective out of the backfield catching the football and he's getting better in protection when we used him there. I'm pleased with his production to this point."

Unga finished the game with 177 yards on a season-high 25 carries. He was caught for a loss just once — losing but a single yard — and averaged 7 yards per carry against the Rebels.

Unga ripped off a 32-yard run to set up BYU's first touchdown, a short scamper by Manase Tonga to end the first half and give the Cougars a 7-6 lead. Unga then came out on fire in the third quarter.

On BYU's first possession, Unga rambled through the Rebel defense for runs of 6, 15, 8, 2, 14 and 6 yards on a drive that ended when Vic So'oto's caught his first touchdown pass (from BYU QB Max Hall). Unga had 51 yards on that drive, giving him 110 yards rushing.

On BYU's second possession, Unga had runs of 16, 8, 7 and 5 (36 yards) to set up a Cougar field goal and 17-6 advantage. That gave the former Timpview High star 146 yards on the ground.

In those two series, Unga averaged nearly 9 yards per carry as UNLV tried in desperation to move star linebacker Beau Bell in position to bring him down.

Unga, patiently waited for his blocks and then raced through the holes, carrying tacklers with him. Time and again, Unga punt his head down and lowered his pads while plowing past the point of contact with defenders, gaining an extra yard or two.

On his 5-yard touchdown run, which put the Cougars up 24-6, Unga blasted through a hole on the left side, breaking tackles at the 3, 2 and 1 as he spun around and, with legs digging in, pitched himself forward and looked skyward as he skidded on his back across the goal line.

Saturday was the most carries offensive coordinator Robert Anae had given him this season. His 25 totes surpassed his 22 against Air Force (when he rushed for 111 yards) and New Mexico (when he rushed for just 56).

Add in five catches for 44 yards and Unga's all-purpose yardage was 221 yards.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com