BYU football: Cougars' game vs. OSU to be broadcast

PROVO — BYU decided to go independent primarily for exposure and to ensure that fans around the country would be able to watch Cougar football.

The school's eight-year broadcasting contract with ESPN has provided plenty of exposure, with BYU's first five games being shown on ESPN or ESPN2. Saturday's game against San Jose State aired on ESPNU.

But, ironically, BYU faced the prospect of one of its games — next Saturday's contest at Oregon State — not being televised at all. The Pac-12 and Fox own the broadcasting rights to that game, and, initially, there were no plans to televise it.

But on Friday, BYU and OSU announced that BYU Broadcasting, in conjunction with Fox College Sports, will produce next Saturday's game in Corvallis, Ore.

"We're pleased that all sides were able to work together to get the game on TV," BYU associate athletic director of communications Duff Tittle said Saturday. "It took a concerted effort from all parties to make it happen."

The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. (MT) and will be broadcast live on Fox College Sports Pacific and KBYU television, with Dave McCann providing play-by-play.

The game will be rebroadcast on BYUtv at 8 p.m. (MT) and ROOT Sports Northwest at 7:30 p.m. (PT). The rebroadcast will also be available online at byutv.org.

BYUtv is available in nearly 60 million homes on DirecTV (channel 374), Dish Network (9403) and approximately 600 cable television providers nationwide.

DUPAIX HONORED: Skyline High coach Roger DuPaix, a former Cougar (1968-72), won his 300th career high school game on Friday, and was honored prior to Saturday night's game.

DuPaix coached BYU offensive coordinator Brandon Doman at Skyline High. Before that, he coached tight ends coach Lance Reynolds at Granite High. DuPaix's son, Joe, is in his first season as BYU's running backs coach.

INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Jordan Pendleton, who missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, returned to action Saturday night, starting against SJSU.

San Jose State running back Brandon Rutley, who is averaging 103 yards per game and entered Saturday as No. 24 in the nation in rushing, did not play due to an ankle injury.

PUTNAM'S BACK: Senior defensive lineman Matt Putnam got on the field for the first time this season Saturday and recorded a tackle-for-loss in the first half.