From Deseret News archives:

BYU football notebook: Unga's status 'day-to-day' as Y. preps for Air Force Academy

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 12:39 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
PROVO — With 189 carries this season, Harvey Unga has been both the featured back and the workhorse back in BYU's offense.

And it's taken a toll on him physically.

The sophomore running back missed the second half of last Saturday's 41-12 victory over San Diego State when he re-aggravated a stinger injury that he originally suffered against Colorado State.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said once a player sustains a stinger, the likelihood of sustaining another increases. Mendenhall added that Unga also is suffering from a shoulder sprain.

This week as the No. 16 Cougars prepare for Saturday's game at Air Force, Unga's status is "day-to-day," and he is expected to miss practice time so he can heal.

"Hopefully we'll get him enough rest and recovery," Mendenhall said. "That doesn't guarantee he wouldn't come out of the game with another solid hit against Air Force. Most likely it will be like that through the rest of this year."

"I think he'll be alright. He's a tough guy. He'll bounce back," quarterback Max Hall said of Unga. "Hopefully, we'll have him on Saturday. I'm planning on having him on Saturday. Hopefully he'll be healthy and ready to go."

Story continues below
For the season, Unga has rushed for 857 yards and six touchdowns. He is BYU's third-leading receiver — behind wide receiver Austin Collie and tight end Dennis Pitta — with 34 catches for 280 yards and four touchdowns.

AIR FORCE'S FAB FRESHMEN: A pair of freshmen are leading the Falcons' offense — quarterback Tim Jefferson and tailback Asher Clark.

In Air Force's 38-17 victory over Colorado State last week, Jefferson completed 6 of 8 passes for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns while Clark ran for a career-high 136 yards on 16 carries.

Jefferson and Clark combined for three big plays, a 74-yard pass from Jefferson to sophomore receiver Kyle Halderman and Clark's pair of touchdown runs of 41 and 45 yards.

Jefferson has started the last five games for the Falcons and they are 5-0 with him under center. He made his first career start in Air Force's 35-10 win over San Diego State.

"I like him. He's confident and poised," Mendenhall said of Jefferson. "Within what they're asking him to do, he seems very sure of himself for a freshman."

OVERSHADOWED: Through the first half of the season, the Cougars received a ton of national attention. But since falling to TCU, BYU has been overshadowed by Utah, which is undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the BCS standings.

Recent comments

BYU fans, congrats at staying so close to Utah on Saturday. I was...

davidramsey | Nov. 25, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.

what is all this jibberish talk. WE ALL KNOW THE UTES ARE GOING TO...

annabelle21 | Nov. 20, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.

I seem to recall earlier in the year that there was an article where...

Caleby | Nov. 12, 2008 at 5:42 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...

If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...

I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...

Big games keep UHSAA coffers full

why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...

A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...

I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...

A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...

she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...

Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons

Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...

Photos: A Royal welcome home

Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...

Advertisements
Advertisement