BYU notes: Unga rests in hope of healing for big game

PROVO — BYU's newly crowned all-time leading rusher, Harvey Unga, is expected to be ready to go for Saturday's game against Utah.

Unga, who has been hampered by an ankle sprain the past couple of weeks, rushed 11 times for 67 yards in the Cougars' 38-21 win over Air Force last Saturday in about three quarters of action.

During that contest, Unga became BYU No. 1 career rusher and he now has 3,281 yards on 649 carries. He surpassed Curtis Brown, who had 3,221 yards on 641 carries.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Unga should be healthier this week, adding that Unga could play three-and-a-half quarters.

"Hopefully a full game," Mendenhall said. "We'll rest him as much as we can and allow him to practice Thursday and then get as much as we can out of him on Saturday."

In his previous two games against the Utes, Unga has rushed for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

MACKEY AWARD: BYU senior tight end Dennis Pitta is one of three finalists for the 2009 John Mackey Award, the Nassau County (N.Y.) Sports Commission announced Monday.

The Mackey Award is given annually to the nation's top tight end. It's an honor that recognizes not only on-field achievement but also good sportsmanship, good academic standing and leadership abilities.

Dorin Dickerson, a senior at Pittsburgh, and Aaron Hernandez, a junior at Florida, are the other semifinalists.

The winner of the award will be announced during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show live on Dec. 10 on ESPN.

Pitta is No. 1 in the nation among tight ends in receiving yards (753), total catches (55), yards per catch (13.69), yards per game (68.45) and catches per game (5). He is second in touchdowns (7).

HOME MILESTONE?: A BYU win Saturday would give the Cougars their 200th victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium since it was built in 1964.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: BYU quarterback Max Hall and Utah defensive back Joe Dale were named the Mountain West Conference's offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Hall passed for 377 yards and five touchdowns in the Cougars' triumph over Air Force last Saturday, against a defense that had been ranked No. 1 in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 128 yards per game.

Dale recorded five tackles, including one for loss, a pass breakup and a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Utes' 38-7 victory over San Diego State.

PUBLIC REPRIMAND: BYU assistant coach Barry Lamb and defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen have been issued a public reprimand for comments critical of another Mountain West Conference member institution which appeared in the Provo Daily Herald on Nov. 19.

According to conference officials, Lamb and Jorgensen were in violation of MWC Sportsmanship Rule Sections 4.2-e and 4.4.5.

Both Lamb and Jorgensen made some critical comments about Air Force's blocking techniques.

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com

byu notes