BYU football notebook: Hall closing in on Detmer's all-time wins record

PROVO — As his career as a BYU quarterback winds down, senior Max Hall is making his mark on the record books. But of all the numbers and statistics he's racked up during his time in Provo, one carries greater significance to him than the rest.

Hall is 26-5 all-time as a starter for the Cougars. With 26 victories, he stands only four wins behind Ty Detmer, who is the school's all-time leader with 30.

"That is one stat that I pay attention to," said Hall, who has six regular-season games remaining in his collegiate career. "That is one."

There are certain statistics that he monitors during the season, such as completion percentage and others. "Obviously, you don't want to have turnovers like I've had and that's something I've tried to get down. Passing yards, that just comes. It's good to throw touchdown passes," he said. "But wins and losses have always been the one that's really, really meant the most to me. I've said from the beginning, that matters. To have a chance to be tied or even ahead of (Detmer) on that list is something that's amazing. It's a blessing to be able to play three years and to start all of those games, to have an opportunity to even do it. Not a lot of people in college get to do that. I just feel blessed. I want to take advantage of it. Hopefully we can win as many games as we can here down the stretch and see what happens."

It's only been in the past week or two that Hall was made aware of his assault on the record held by Detmer, who quarterbacked the Cougars from 1988-91 and won the 1990 Heisman Trophy. Hall hopes the number of wins he earns will reflect his accomplishments and influence how people will look back on him and his legacy at BYU.

"Like I said, the one I really pay attention to is the win-and-loss one. I just want, hopefully, to be remembered as a quarterback who won and did what he needed to do to help his team win."

INJURY UPDATE: Free safety Scott Johnson (ankle sprain) and fullback Manase Tonga (sprained knee) were both held out of practice on Tuesday.

"I would say both are possible for Saturday (against San Diego State), not probable," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "That's the latest I've been told."

Also on the injury front, running back Harvey Unga, who rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns against UNLV, didn't do much in practice due to a sore lower back.

"He's alright," Mendenhall said. "He came in Monday and his lower back was tight and it was still tight today. Hopefully he'll be better (today)."

Defensive lineman Russell Tialavea (knee) is "probable" for Saturday.

WHAT'S HIS NUMBER?: No, sophomore Braden Brown is not going through an identity crisis.

Because he's talented enough, and because the offensive line lacks depth due to various injuries this season, Brown, a Highland High product, plays two positions — tight end and offensive tackle. In the fourth quarter of the UNLV game, Brown switched jersey numbers from No. 89 (for tight ends) to No. 75 (for tackles) and saw his first action on the O-line, where he has been cross-training since early this season.

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com