BYU football: Cougars bounce back big, crush hapless Cowboys
LARAMIE, Wyo. — For those wondering how BYU would respond two weeks after suffering an embarrassing 38-7 loss to TCU, the No. 25 Cougars answered that question emphatically from the outset Saturday.
On a sunny, warm afternoon in Laramie, a well-rested and fired-up BYU team coming off a bye week silenced the brown-and-gold-clad fans at War Memorial Stadium and shellacked Wyoming, 52-0.
The Cougars (7-2, 4-1) seemingly unleashed two weeks of frustration on the hapless Cowboys (4-5, 2-3).
"The scoreboard kind of reflects the couple of weeks of practice that we had," said BYU safety Andrew Rich. "We worked hard, prepared like crazy and kind of had a sour taste in our mouth from the TCU game. We needed a victory like this. All across the board, the offense, the defense all played well. It was a good victory for us."
"I was impressed with the way our team prepared starting (during the bye)," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. "Our coaches did an excellent job implementing the changes and things we needed to do to improve our program. I think our players responded well."
Running back J.J. DiLuigi, who scored a pair of touchdowns, said the Cougars were pumped up to play Wyoming.
"We got our swagger back on both sides of the ball," he said. "The defense was hitting hard, finally ?— getting back into it. The offense was able to do what we wanted to do. The last two weeks were able to heal up. It was an amazing game on both sides of the ball."
Quarterback Max Hall played one of his finest games as a Cougar and turned in one of the best performances, statistically, in BYU history. The senior completed 20 of 22 passes for 312 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a little more than two quarters of play before giving way to sophomore backup Riley Nelson.
"My numbers were good, but I think that's because the guys around me played well. They made me look good," Hall said. "We had a week to fix the mistakes we were making. The energy was high, and everybody played with a passion like we did at the beginning of the season. It was a lot of fun. That's exactly what we needed to happen. I think it was kind of a defining moment for our offense."
"A lot of it had to do with preparation," Mendenhall said of Hall's outing. "He had an excellent plan, he had very clear reads and he was able to do exactly what he had practiced."
BYU didn't have to punt until early in the fourth quarter. By then, most of the fans populating the student section had left the stadium.
The Cougars capitalized on being familiar with the Cowboys' style of defense, according to Mendenhall.
Recent comments
What a great game! I really enjoyed watching that game. BYU's...
Digbads | Nov. 10, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
So if the Utes lose it's for the greater good, go home and please...
RE:MWC Supports TCU | Nov. 9, 2009 at 6:40 p.m.
TCU is going to Cream the Utes in Fort Worth.
Go TCU | Nov. 9, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
- Murder-suicide in West Jordan 1:16 p.m.
- A haven for his work 12:16 p.m.
- Should your walls go black? 11:34 a.m.
- Insulation before new windows 11:32 a.m.
- Living with children 11:17 a.m.
- Stand-in for traditional cranberr 11:04 a.m.
- Family physician cuts out middlemen 11:02 a.m.
- LDS leaders visit southernmost city 10:59 a.m.
- Memo out again tonight for Jazz 10:47 a.m.
- Health care bill faces a crucial vote 10:33 a.m.
- Mailman's nomination delivered
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Unga's status 'a game-time decision'
- 5A: Miners dig deep, claim crown
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
184 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
169 - BYU, Utah struck gold in coaches
124 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
117 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
100 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
98 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
97 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
86
"I think a failiure like this would destroy a testimony." If so, then the...
The Court's position on the dance clubs is simply legally wrong, and only the...
75 yards was the winner? I'm a Weber State mechanical engineering...
Although I personally do not support abortion, it is legal. Nothing in any...
Wimmer, you need to find out what nonesense you are sputing. Utah, being the...
Kathy griffin is sooooooooooo awesome and I'm looking forward to what she'll...
I've been to the finals many times. What a grreat game to watch. Both teams...
Women should be forced to have the baby. Even in the case of rape and...
I got enough going in my little pea-patch world in my own home and helping...
It's amazing to me how gullable americans can be. There is absolute hyteria...


