All Halls Fault | 12:54 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
A QB is in the spot light. Either he makes plays or he doesn't. Max Hall destroyed his team and their chances in both the TCU and Utah games and this is an ugly indicator or perhaps a reality check of where Hall really is as a QB. He can make plays but he can also take you out of a game faster than the blink of an eye. Good QB's recognize when they are off and go the run game and short pass game. Not Hall - he simply chucks the ole pig skin up for grabs time after time and each one is worse than the last. Hall has alot of maturing before he is considered a good QB in my book.
I Totally Agree | 1:31 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I totally agree with All Halls Fault. To put it plainly and bluntly, Max Hall cost his team the chance to beat the Utes. I consider the loss to TCU a team loss - it did not seem like anyone showed up to play in that game. However, the loss to Utah rests squarely upon Hall and his six turnovers. I now wish that the Cougars had another quarterback they could turn to. But, that is not the case and I guess we are stuck with Hall. I only hope his does something next year which will redeem him in at least my eyes.
Dave | 1:42 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
As a die hard Ute fan it's nice to hear Collie recognize the Utes for being a great team. I give him more credit than I thought he deserved and he is a great player himself.

GO UTES!!!
Comments continue below
Agreed - All Hall's Fault | 1:47 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
But not just for poor decision making during plays. The guy has a temper! It's not just a shove in the first half that moves us down the field after his first interception. All season he's been shoving and being a general baby about getting sacked, etc. What a joke. I recommend he read a book called "Emotional Intelligence." He's having emotional hijackings on the field in front of thousands - how embarrassing.
I AGREE | 2:15 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
This game was won by Utah not because they were awesome! Their defense was terrible. With that said, when Max Hall throws the ball right to them, it says worse for Hall.

Utah didn't make any spectacular interceptions. They were all right to the guys. Utah should have had two more had the passes not hit them so hard in the chest.

Hall is subpar when it comes to big games. Ya, he beat up on the weaker teams in the conference.

Great QB's win big games.

Collie on the other hand is a BIG TIME receiver!

Congrats Utah
Dear ALL | 3:20 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Let's suppose what you say is true; help me figure out what value there is in saying it? I am a psychologist by training, such a comment in a public forum, without any purpose other than to degrade someone is disturbing to say the least.
rvalens2 | 4:46 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Re: All Halls Fault

While I can't disagree with your basic premise that Hall cost BYU the game. I don't agree with the idea that no one else bore any responsibility.

Had BYU's defense done more to stop the Utes they still could have won. If the Utes don't score then BYU wins, even with the interceptions and fumble.

Conversely, Brian Johnson was masterful in his control of the game. You could see it in his eyes that he was not going to be the one who lost the game for the Utes.

In the end, however, I feel it was Utah's defense that made the real difference. They put a lot of pressure on Hall. They batted down several passes and kept him out of his comfort zone; which resulted in the interceptions and fumble.

Kudos to Utah's defense, you were relentless!

Thanks Utah ... for a great and memorable season.
The book says | 6:00 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Hall is still a great QB.

But everyone has an opinion. don't they.
M.Robbins | 6:32 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
A glaring fact is missing in this story. Max Hall is a great QB, but surely his "mistakes, or at least some of them were caused simply by good defense on the part of Utah. A good QB just doesn't make these mistakes for no reason, or that he was having an "off" night. Please give credit where credit is due.
NevadaCoug | 6:33 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Well, hindsight is easy. But if we would have learned from the TCU game we should have concentrated more on the rushing game. That would've cut down on the turnover's. As for BYU's defensive plan, what good does rushing only three do? We rush three and cover receivers with a five yard cushion!??! The defensive scheme needs an overhaul.
Forrest | 6:48 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Not a close game. Gump logic told you so. Max Hall should take the How to Tackle the Guy Who Picked Off My Pass class.
Dear Dear All: | 7:38 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
As a psychologist in training you should realize that sports is a venue where people say and do things based on emotions. Thus, you may need to study a little more. As for degrading Hall, solely emotions nothing more and nothing less, thus they should be taken for what they are worth. As for the Cougs, well they were beaten by the better team. Their game plan was better (played the pass) and beat the Y. Once they were ahead, they were fine to allow the Y to run. When the got into the RED ZONE, that is where the Y feel apart. Oh, Bronco, what an arrogant man...wow I used to have a lot of respect for him, but his arrogance should have been recognized by me and others when he set up his team for failure under his "Quest 4 B.S.". Totally disrespecting everyone in the conference. If I was a QB I would not choose to play for the Y because it is an offense that does not translate to the pros...GO UTES!!!
Get Real | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
It was not at all Halls fault. And BYU fans need to get over the Quarter back blame game. Max did all he could and all that the defense would let him do. For you BYU fans that think the UTE defense was not doing their job. The reality of the whole situation is that the UTE defense was Awesome and they has been all season. They created the pressure that forced Hall to fumble and throw poorly. That is the game of Football. BYU only met two real defensive times this year TCU and the Mighty UTE's. Go UTE's!!
Hall's Emotions Failed | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
The interception at the end of the first half was excusable - miscommunication between tight end and QB: but the personal foul against Hall was not. Furthermore, it wasn't his first personal foul of the season. Hall needs to get his emotions in check if he doesn't want to fail his team again.
OgdenBYU | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I don't recall all these comments as Hall led the Cougars to game-winning drives against CSU, UNLV and AFA.
Japan | 8:31 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Unfortunately, I was all too right when I said that Turnovers would be the difference in this game. I had no idea the turnover margin would be that atrocious. I expected BYU to have a couple, but not 6.

What happened to the BYU that beat UCLA?

I hope that we can fill some big shoes on the O-line and at halfback. Defense will hopefully be better next year.
wm | 8:51 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I am a y fan. the UTES are a better team by a long shot. Even without the (BYU) turnovers, they would still win anyway. They have too many weapons. Lets stand behind the Utes in a win at another BCS bowl! I loved watching how the Ute fans support their team; it was great! Thanks for a great experience! Good LUCK!
Bob in line | 8:56 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
This game was clearly won by Utah, not lost by BYU.

If Utah's corners made some ESPN type interceptions then you make the case that the corners saved the day for Utah. But from what I heard and have read Hall was making horrible throws.

Could it be that the relentless pass rush of Utahs front four, and the defensive schemes combined to make a mess of Hall's offense? That is my opinion. The defense did what it was suppose to do, which is confuse and rattle the opposing quarterback. Let's hope they can do this in the BCS bowl as well.

Hall is a great college quarterback. He is not the best but neither is he horrible, this game aside. His biggest problem is that he isn't the best at reading defenses and he zeros in on his primary receiver allowing the defense to adjust easily.

If Hall can concentrate on reading defenses like Ty Detmer, even close, and stop zeroing in on his primary receiver but go through all his reads, next year will be alot more fruitful.

In any case, congrats to the Utes, they earned it. Classy team.

And Go BYU! Win your bowl game!!!
WinSum | 8:57 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I heard Marc Wilson once say after throwing 6 interceptions at "It's hard to throw a foolball through a brown jersey. He was a great QB and his record shows it.

Max Hall had the same problem last night with red.

Utah played a great game and deserves the credit they have earned.

BYU will be back and continue to grow and do well.

Sounds a bit like life.....
No "Miracle" This Year | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
After two years of last-minute "miracle" plays to barely eek out wins over Utah, BYU fans are now faced with the reality that their much-worshipped football team is far from perfect. Early in the season, the Cougs got it in their heads that they could "score at will" and that the combination of Hall to Collie (or Reed or Pitta) was unstoppable. It's the entire team's sheer arrogance that cost them the game this year. Bronco would do well to think long and hard about what kind of mental attitudes he is instilling in his players.
Dear Dear Dear All (7:38 am) | 9:04 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
???? Not sure what point(s) you are trying to make, but I think both the U and BYU have extension courses you could take to learn how to write effectively. Your genius might be more evident then.
The "Hall Factor + 6" | 9:20 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I just love Coach Bronk - "Without the turnovers, it's a completely different game." He is right. It would have been close (like it was supposed to be and like the past few years) rather than a blow out. But as much credit people what to give to the "Hall Factor + 6" they really should be looking at what cause the turnovers and who either caught the ball or recovered the fumble. Coach Bronk, that is where the game went from close to a blow-out.
just a fan | 9:24 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Bronco said that if BYU did not have the turn overs the game would have been different. Nothing gets by him. Do you think Max Hall did not give his all in this game? You should think again. My dad once told me "don't worry about the mules boys, just load the wagons." You all should do the same.
Mahonri | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
The typical BYU attitude is what led to them betting their butts whipped. The U has LDS players also and they live just as good a life as the snooty BYU players.
Glad BYU got beat and cheer every time it happens. Can't stand the school, its leadership and its attitude and that view comes from having attended and graduated from the place.
RE: Bob in Line | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
What Ute pass rush? Hall had all day to throw and still made poor decisions. If the Utes had a front four it was not visible against the Cougar O-line.
Anon | 10:10 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Quest: I understand that you can select a word or phrase that can be used to motivate the alumni, the fans, and the team. BYU starts out beating Washington, then pummels UCLA and everyone is excited for this Quest...until the season wears on and we realize that Washington and UCLA are aweful this year, and BYU is a good team, but not an historically great team that will go undefeated and earn a bid to the BCS and contend for a title.

I wish BYU coaches and players would just humbly, quietly go to work and let their play on the field communicate greatness, or otherwise. Speak of Quest, and other motivating goals in private. I, as a fan, don't need the marketing department at BYU or the coaches to come up with these themes to get me fired up for another season. I just want to be part of the BYU football season every year.

Play smart in every phase of the game, including marketing and motivation.
To Dear All | 11:44 a.m. Nov. 23, 2008
The point in degrading or pointing out that Max Hall lost the game is this: We need to first recognize we have a problem before it can be fixed. You should know this it is fundamental in any rehabilitation program. If we deny that BYU has a QB problem by saying Max Hall is a good QB, then he will continue to have games where he gives up the ball 6 times. By pointing out that Max Hall is to blame the healing process can now begin.
Re: Re: Bob in Line | 12:39 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
The pass rush was not effective so Gary Anderson changed things up. Instead of rushing, they filled the throwing lanes. In addition to the 5 picks, there were 5 (FIVE!!) tipped/blocked balls in this game.
The adjustments that Utah made on defense were brilliant. True, it allowed more rush yards than typical, but in the end, it caused more stress on the QB and he imploded.
U of U Alum | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Hmmmmm, I always thought football was a team sport??
And I'd be willing to bet there is not a BYU player who would not want Max Hall as there QB if these teams were to play again tomorrow.
He certainly did not have the best game of his career, but I've seen him make way too many good plays to let one game define him.
Keep some perspective.
Congrats to the Utes.
Unga is next to unstoppable and I hope the injury is not serious.
Collie is another in a great line of BYU receivers.
Hall had a bad game, but will get you a win in whatever bowl you wind up at.
Most teams would love to finish 10-2.

Go Utes.
congrats | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
congrats to utah going to the bcs once again. byu will never make it.

congrats to byu on making your conquest to 3rd place in a mediocre conference and qualifying for the blue rug bowl.
Dear Psyhcologist | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Thanks for the convoluted message above which only re-enforces my belief about your profession and a hot air balloon.
Hall was lousy, he cost his team. The guys won't say it to the press, but they are blaming him.
BYUGUY | 1:17 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I agree with "To Dear All"--with teammates and coaches making excuses for Hall's horrific play in big games--we can continue to count on Hall to make Pop Warner league mistakes in big games.
Quarterbacks have bad games | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
This is a joke...Max Hall is a good quarterback...no, he's not the best, and yes, he had a very bad game (mostly at the end). A bunch of "experts" bloggers would know what's best? Yeah, right. I agree he needs to keep his emotions in check--that's something controllable. Utah played good defense, but to call for Hall's head after this game is ridiculous. Hall has been stellar most of the season and was stellar last season as his first year starting. Yes, it shouldn't be ignored that improvement is needed and adjustments need to be made, but that's always the case! Give me a break and give Hall a break too.
Dear BYU Fans | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Utah's Defense is still OPEN!
common sense dictates | 2:23 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Turnovers had something to do with result just like the fact the Utes are the better team.
BYU's Hall-Pass | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Headline should read: "BYU's Hall-pass a fake?" Really, I like Hall, but being pretty good all year makes such a fluke poor performance stand out a bit more. By the way, I don't think being so business-like is especially good for the game. It's supposed to be fun and emotional - and every play counts - not just "another" play and not just "another" game.
even more | 2:56 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
There could have been two more huge interceptions in the first half as well but Utah players dropped them.

Why did the BYU coaches not run the ball if that was working?
conspiracy? | 3:13 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Gee the Cougars did a pretty good job and were trailing only 27-24 late in the 3rd, had the ball, and were marching downfield to score again. Then the turnovers started happening like BYU fans hadn't seen all year in a single game. A little suspicious perhaps?

Here's what I think went down. Earlier in the week Craig Thompson had a conference call with Bronco, Tom Holmoe, and Max about the Utah game. He reminded them that if BYU won then BSU, not Utah, would go to a BCS bowl and all those millions would go to the WAC. So he told them we don't want to upset the apple cart. And he also told them it would be best for the Utes to have a convincing looking win.

All I can say is Tom, Bronco, and Max are good soldiers.
MONEY! MONEY!MONEY! | 3:20 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Very interesting Hall has his worst game when 16 Million is on the line for the Conference? Who was hall throwing too on the pick at the end of the first half? and the Krueger pick? Makes you go HMMM!
No question the U is the better team and had the better QB. they deserved to win but Hall is a better QB than that. Seems kind of odd to me.
re: No Miracle... | 3:37 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
"It's the entire team's sheer arrogance that cost them the game this year. Bronco would do well to think long and hard about what kind of mental attitudes he is instilling in his players."

Excuse me but your comment is one of the dumbest I've seen posted to all of the articles about the game. And believe me there are quite a few dumb ones posted by all the bandwagon ute fans. The "arrogance" you refer to you blind ute homer is called confidence.

The mental attitudes he's teaching his players are just fine thank you very much since he is teaching them to think like winners and expect to be winners and they have been winning. That's what coaches are supposed to instill in their players. Whit and his assistants have done the same, based on various interviews with coaches and players I've seen and read about in the media.

A lack of talent/experience in some positions on defense and some bad decisions by Max Hall are what did us in, not the winning attitude that Bronco is teaching.
Bronco's Arrogance! | 4:53 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
As a Y fan, Bronco had this one coming with dumb comments like (we can recruit and sign anyone we want in the state)and (one of the reason the Y has had so much success is because of the friday night firesides.) Just go out and play and be a little more humble. Maybe bronco can do some "head turning drills" to teach Hall to look at other receivers and have the dbs look for the ball when it's in the air!
Deserving Utes | 6:07 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
"even more," I could not agree with your comments more. I agree with most posts that Max Hall made some bad decisions to say the least. Utah's defense forced some (but definitely not all of the interceptions). The real issue that concerns me and should have been addressed long before now is BYU's play calling and their unwillingness to stick with the run. BYU's coaching staff and play selection should and ought to be questioned and criticized. When the game is closer (i.e, within 7 to 10 points) and time is not such a factor, you do not need to put it all on Max Hall's shoulders to win the game. He has proven that in pressure games against good defenses that he cannot carry the load by himself. He should not have to. Football is a team sport, and BYU has a fantasitc offensive line and two stud running backs. Use them more next time and you may be surprised what happens.

Congratulations to Utah! Utah deserves to win the MWC outright and I hope they go on to reprsent the MWC well and win their BCS bowl.

Go Utes!
Anonymous | 6:35 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Im tired of Hearing Bronco say this game wasnt Hall's fault. The O-line played dang good gave him great protection all night, 5 interceptions and a fumble, yea thats all MAX HALL. He needs to learn how to deal with Big games, throw up before a game makes the nerves feel better Max.
BYU fan | 6:47 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
I agree with all hall's fault. Although many people think he chokes under pressure, let's not forget last year with 4th and 18. I don't think he chokes in big games, I think he chokes in big games on the road. The Utah and TCU game were both on the road. Take away half of hall's turnovers and it could've gone either way but you can't have turnovers especially when you're throwing it right to the defense.

I think both of these teams had way to much hype and whoever Utah plays is going to KILL them.
Robert | 7:39 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Take away the turnovers, and BYU wins. Period. It was clear who was the better team (BYU) and who had better execution (Utah).
Re: Robert | 8:10 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
You must have been watching a different game.

Let's not forget two pass interference penalties that helped BYU score. One was close and the other was wrong. Also, your fake audible-hike it to your running back when nobody was watching play.

Most of Utah's defense is back next year. All we have to do is put pressure on Hall and he'll give us the ball. (bully mentality)

Hey Robert, if you scored one more point than Utah, your team would have won. Periodl. Duh!

BYU is not the better team. You must have "losers limp". Face the fact that the better team won.

We will win again next year with our defense. We will have a good QB with Asiata, Key and most of our offensive linemen.

Don't be jealous!
Roger | 8:23 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Robert is a funny guy, not very accurate, but funny. Five picks. There should have been seven. Do you recall the tipped passes? The Ute�s shut down the passing lanes. Credit the Ute defense. Add a mediocre BYU defense and their opponent runs 48 points on them. Better team BYU? I don't think so. Good teams win big games. Mediocre teams beat up on poor teams and lose against good opponents. Sounds like the very definition of BYU football this year.
Who's fault is it??? | 9:03 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
Quote: "I don't fault Max because of the leadership he's displayed all year. I think he was just trying to help his team win," Mendenhall said.

Of course it's Max Hall's fault! You could say he didn't prepare properly (coaches might take the blame on this) or that the receivers didn't run the right routes. However, Max is ultimately the one who threw the ball, made the wrong reads, didn't secure the ball, etc. No one else should take this blame.

I love the fact that Coach Mendenhall wants to remain positive and not discourage his only chance of winning games, but the facts are it was Max's fault.

No doubt he was trying to help his team win. Of course we want to win, but that takes the right strategies and proper preparation. If he was prepared he would have known Utah's defensive schemes with his eye's closed. He would have been obsessive in this preparation as is necessary if you really want to win. The leadership was lacking on the part of Max Hall on this night.

Unfortunately, Max folded and he needs to pick himself up if he wants to be known in BYU folklore.
One Game? | 10:27 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008
After one game, suddenly Max Hall is a loser?

Yet another reason I no longer call myself a "BYU fan." You people are UNREAL. Come on--the man played an excellent team with the ability to force him into bad decisions and no-win situations. That's exactly what the BYU defense was trying to do to Brian Johnson. The team that can work its will wins the game. So give the Utes some credit for playing a great game. (And NO--I am NOT a "Utah fan" either.)

Max Hall will be back and doubtless lead the Cougars to another highly successful season next year. Sadly, there will be folks wearing blue who will boo every overthrown or dropped pass. My apologies that I'm not disloyal or fickle enough to join you.
3rdGenUte | 7:46 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008
Defense wins games...this one is verification of that. Credit to a defensive scheme that caused Max to force the throw through clogged passing lanes. It wasn't so much as the pressure as it was filling passing lanes and reading the receivers.

Max Hall has talent but needs to keep the emotions in check. Austin Collie is for real. They will recover and still be a force in the bowl they play in and next year.

That being said. Utah played a complete game. Coaching for the schemes, defense for having a nose for the ball, offense for taking what was given, and special teams for regrouping after their first kick.

:-) Now we know why Harline is still open..... he is at Max Hall's 24 hour pastry shop selling turnovers. :-)

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

previousnext

Latest comments

Top 5 Players in minutes played: Utah 1 Fr, 2 Jr, 2 Sr Jr Carlon Brown...

Yep "self righteous" if the rest of us who don't rubber neck left, you would...

Jazz notes: 15th most-valuable team

Thank you for keeping the team here for all of these years, and for always...

Jazz fall apart late at L.A.

of misery, inconsistency, road games losses and of course, NO TITLE ! Long...

Glad to hear about Matt and the others who demonstrate you can play at a high...

I guess they forgot that God made clothes for Adam and Eve and that was...

and good luck.

Panel passes BCS playoff bill

There is an inherent problem in any rating system -- it takes into account...

Give Phillips some credit. He was 5/5 in field goals in the YBU game, and the...

Letters: Earth at center?

Mr. Bender's kind of thinking doesn't even acknowledge that the world is...

Advertisements