Deseret News | BYU football: Coach, team come to Hall's defense

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BYU football: Coach, team come to Hall's defense

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Hall and Anae | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

The defense did its job last night. They played better last night than they have in serveral other games against lesser opponents.

Clearly the fault for yesterday rests with Hall and Anae. The cougs were running the ball effectively. However, everytime from the 2nd qtr on, they chose to be in passing formations and then Hall chose to throw to Collie just about every pass. I was amazed at the tight spaces that he was throwing into.

The Cougs were only down 7-10 points and they could have done a much better job at ball control with short passes and runs.

Oh well, contrats to the Utes...I hope you get to play someone better than Cincinati. Best of luck in the BCS game...you deserve to be there!

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.

RE .. Hey Henry | 1:06 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

U -vs- Y ... look at their winning percentage against teams with winning records this year. Then look at their overall winning percentage in past bowl games.

Question, what do BYU and marijuana have in common? THEY BOTH GET SMOKED IN BOWLS.

Comments continue below

Common Sense | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Congrats Utes on the win. They played well and Brian Johnson played the game of his life. Max Hall will be fine, he had a bad game it happens. Mendenhall is a great coach and we are lucky to have him.( Remember the Crowton years ouch). Utah and BYU are vastly overrated they both have beaten noone and act like they have. When Oregon state is your best win by far you have played nobody. BYU also has played nobody. Utah be happy your going to a BCS game and hope you play the Big East or ACC or you are in for some serious humble pie. TCU is overrated and I laugh at how people think their defense is so wonderful when the only good team they played all year was up 28 to 0 in the first quarter.

Give me a break | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Kewgs defense is absolutely horrible. Look how mamy points and yards they have given up in the last half of their season. They look like San Diego State. Hall did play really bad and he was to blame for all of their turnovers, but it was also their Utah State defense that led to their demise. Too bad that Jorgensen is their only good player on D, but it takes the other 10 to play good.

Idaho Vandal Fan | 1:18 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Max Hall is no John Beck? Does everyone remember John Beck before his senior year?

Max Hall believes that he can make any pass on any play no matter the coverage, much like a Brett Favre. This game will help him realize the need to look off the defense a little better, but he will always play with that mind set. I would take Brett Favre on my team at any age.

And remember to count your blessing, you could be a Vandal fan (10-2 or 2-10)!!!

Don't read this blog Max | 1:22 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

What a waste of space. All of the knit picking, arm chair quarterbacking, 10-2 is the end of the world for most of these losers. I for one am looking forward to a great bowl matchup. To the rest of you losers, turn in your tickets, I want better seats next year!!

TC | 1:58 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Congrats to the Utes. They were the better team and have been consistent all year. Max had a bad game. However, I really think the biggest mistake by BYU was the fact that they didn't stay with the running game. I know that they try to stay "balanced" but Utah didn't do much to stop the run. The cougars should have continued to pound Fui and Harvey until the Utes stopped them. That strategy would have cut down on the knocked down passes and interceptions. The turnovers were the difference in the game. Utah was perfect in taking care of the ball.

I'm a BYU fan and I love to see BYU win. But, I'm not so fanatic that I can't see that Utah was the better team this year. They made the plays all year to win games. Congrats Kyle Whittingham - a perfect season! That is so difficult to do. Now go do the MWC proud in a BCS game and keep proving that the conference champion deserves an automatic bid to a BCS bowl... and even more important - that a perfect season from a MWC champ deserves consideration in the national championship game.

Re: Henry Dumbon | 2:00 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Lets see, Weber State?? and you're telling the Cougs should schedule beter teams? Get a hobby and quit writing these types of comments we see every week.

Hall is bad?? | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I am having a tough time with all the "Hall is terrible" talk . . . even as a Utah fan. They guy led your BYU team to a 10-2 season, a bowl game and he is coming back next year. For many years, Utah fans were blamed as treating the BYU game as our bowl game, but the way you are butchering Hall, I would say many of you (BYU fans) are struggling with the same complex.

Here is a thought . . . perhaps Hall really is a good quarterback but got schooled by an amazing defense. Utah has had great defenses for many years now and you still think Hall is a bottom-dweller quarterback with 10-2? You better switch teams because in college football, a 10-2 record will not get a coach fired, even if one of the losses is to your in-state rival.

Pathetic | 2:21 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I cannot believe you people... Both BYU and Ute fans talking down Max Hall! I dont care what anyone says, Max Hall shows more heart than anyone else on that football field. Sometimes things just don't go your way. Utah did a great job of keeping pressure on Hall, that was what won the game for them. Under pressure Hall was not perfect. How many of us could quarterback an offense in a high pressured situation like that? Very few... And as for firing Bronco. Are you insane? He has completely turned the program around! He has pulled in some outstanding players and has done his best with what he has. You must take into consideration BYU does not get the top recruits in the country, they are doing the best they can with what they have. BYU has beat the Utes the last two years!! So everyone just leave Max Hall and Bronco alone. BYU fans show some loyalty! Ute fans, it is pathetic that you credit your win more to the faults of Hall than to the talent of your own team. Utah played a great game.

Don't Blame Max | 2:48 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I blame Mendenhall and Anae. Max was a victim of circumstance. Both coaches (and the rest of the conference, old ladies and people who don't understand football) know that Max will throw to Collie 95% of the time. He won't even look at another receiver unless it is Pita, and he was hurt. So Anae shouldn't have put him in that situation time after time--ESPECIALLY WHEN UNGA WAS RUNNING IT DOWN UTAH'S THROATS!!!! HOW, AS AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, DO YOU STOP DOING WHAT WORKS?! Unga averaged more than 7 yards a carry!
And I blame Bronco's "bend but not break" defense. Cowboy up and stop giving a 10-15 yard cushion on every play! Cowboy up and blitz! Stop being so cautious and conservative that you allow any team who wants to to march down the field every possession.
So Hall was responsible for 6 turnovers, but the coaches should know better than to put him in a very predictable situation. Credit Utah for figuring out what everyone who has watched a BYU game this year knows--guard Collie. Heck, put 5 guys on Collie. Hall won't look at anyone else... just leave them uncovered.
Good luck in the BCS Utah!

Anonymous | 2:57 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Hey henry, you are so right. Lets see byu scheduled Northern Iowa, a rival of SUU. Utah had Weber State on the schedule for one Reason, Ronnie Mack and his last season on his first contract. So in your own words "Get a hobbie and quit writing these types of comments."

Coach X | 3:15 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

BYU through and through...however, 101 in coaching is always look at what they are giving you and take it. Utah did just that and victory. BYU could have run the ball for 500 yards based on the defense that was in place and won the game, or made them change so Max had someone to through it to other than red shirts. It is hard to understand why Utah seems to figure that out and BYU is so slow to change. Some times assignment football isn't how you win. It is adjustment football. BYU did not adjust at TCU or Utah result LLLLLL. Bring on Rocky to help his old buddy. Maybe even Norm???

Anonymous | 3:15 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Why are you blaming the loss to anybody? You give all you got and that is all you can ask for. I think both team just that. There will be mistakes here and there but it is a part of game. Great job by both teams!!

LONGTIME BYU FAN WITH A MEMORY! | 3:19 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I remember Ty Detmer having a terrible game against a mediocre U. of Hawaii team on the same day he won the Heisman Trophy. Steve Sarkisian had a terrible game against Utah his Jr. year. Steve Young threw 6 interceptions against Georgia in 82. Hall's a great QB and Lavell Edwards has compared him to McMahon. Utah is a great team with a great defense that was well prepared and Hall had a bad day to boot. Hall may turn the tables on them next year. Get some perspective!!

Not Hall's fault | 3:24 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

It really wasn't Hall's fault because he really isn't that good!!! Against a good defense Hall cracks ("tries to hard to win"), CSU did, AFA should have picked him a couple times, TCU did and the Utes D are still taking a number to who is going to pick him off next!!

Hey Max...Kruger, Dale, Smith, and Johnson are still open!!

Hey big guy, don't sweat it, but then again you might ALL your new friends are coming back next year and will see if we can get 10 off ya next time!!

Send Anae to Utah State | 3:34 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I for one hope Robert Anae gets a coaching job somewhere else. His arrogance in the passing game has been evident ever since he started coaching at BYU and it culminated last night. With the offensive talent on BYU's team most offensive coordinators could put up 10-2 despite poor coaching. It takes a better coordinator to recognize the flow of the game and whats working and whats not and make adjustments. Not Robert, we are going to pass the ball even if we humiliate a quarterback who from the get go showed he was having an off night. Ute fan be glad you have Andy Ludwig. That was really the story behind the game last night is which coordinator would break from tradition and predictability and actually adapt to the game at hand. Congratulations Andy!!!!!!

BYUtah fan | 4:04 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Those of you who are jumping on Hall, saying he is not very good simply do not know or understand football. Hall's performance against most of the teams that BYU played was nothing less than phenomenal. No other player in the league (not Brian Johmson) managed such amazing numbers.

If you don't believe me then read the comments of opposing coaches who all know more about football than anyone who has posted here. Check out how many times Hall has been MWC offensive player of the week.

Hall had a bad game. He knows it. We knows it. No one needs to "advise" the BYU coaching staff on what they could have done better. I know it hurts. But it is not BYU's first ever loss and will not be their last. Does anyone remember Steve Young's five interceptions against Georgia? One game does not indicate the ability of any player.

So, Suck it up. Shake it off and get over it. The Navy has an expression that is applicable. That is "Keep your eyss over the bow". We have a bowl game to play and I can't think of anyone I would prefer at the helm than Max Hall.

Divine intervention | 4:16 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I guess the cougs haven't been doing the right things off the field to get the help they need from above.

RJB observes | 4:21 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Bob-in-line: I'm sick of Crowton haters. Edwards left him with one shelf full and an empty cubbard after that. His bad seasons were with Edwards recruits. Criminal behavior!!! I saw a lot worse when Edwards was coach then anything Crowton had. I played against the Cougars during the McMahan years and you'd have been shocked. Bronco has had his best seasons with the fruit of Crowtons recruits. A luxury Crowton never was afforded because of the program correction period he inherited when he became head Cougar. Hopefully, Bronco's recruits do him well, I think he has some players with integrity, which I admit I didn't see from the Utes last night. Wow! the Utah fans acted sub human last night after the game. U&Y fans need to get in touch with reality. Congrats to all the fans who acted like adults or young adults.

Lay off Crowton!!! He made his mistakes but he never was the biggest problem, only the biggest goat!!!

wYo8 | 4:25 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I just hope the coaches are good enough to help Max overcome some of his problems, forcing balls, telegraghing where he is going to throw. Remember a few years ago CSU qb Van Pelt went from a option qb who could not throw to one of the best qb in the conference. while at the same time BYu qb continued to struggle. They seem to take a better than average qb and have great sucess, but have a hard time developing an average qb.

Nostradamus | 4:34 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Hall had a bad night - no questions about thiat. Overall, as a Ute fan, I'd take Max for our team now that Brian is graduating. He's big, skilled and...well really skilled.

As for the BYU Coaching staff - sorry, Utah is better. Kyle and his staff prepare at least as well (I think better), all season they have had very good adjustments as needed and the biggest difference is they realize they are coaching kids - so they "pump them up" and get them ready to play.

I like Bronco, but he needs to realize this is a game - it should be fun and 20 something kids can be motivated to do more than you might think they can.

The cougs played OK and they really should have run more (I'm glad they didn't). The Utes played awesome on both sides of the ball - Hall had very poor passing lanes and the Ute 'D' took advantage of some bad decisions. There were some great interceptions (e.g., Kruger!).

Go Utes - hope you get a good opponent for the BCS. BCS busters x 2!

J. Lovett | 4:53 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

I guess it took TCU and Utah to enforce the need to get humbled before you can reach perfection.

Hey BYUtah fan | 4:59 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Look at the teams that Hall put those numbers up against, I don't see anything special? Now look at the numbers he put up against with a good defense.....it was a lot less than phenomenal. He came back against CSU and UNLV, because they are .500 we should be happy? That is great he gets MWC awards yeah, but those don't win games. Need a winner that plays well when you really need them.

We are not taking about Johnson, we are talking about Hall and his lack of composure and talent to play well when he is up against a GOOD defense.

The important thing is that he lives right on and off the field (with all the others), not that he is a average QB!

Blame the Coaches | 5:35 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

The blame for BYU and specifically Hall's poor play is the fault of a coaching staff with a HORRIBLE game preparation strategy. While EVERY team in the country is banging and hitting in preparation for their opponent, BYU prepares by playing flag football w/o pads. Ridiculous! If you noticed, their tackling got worse as the season proceeded and their offensive line blocking also declined. BYU simply was too soft due to a really stupid game prep strategy. Shame on Mendenhall. He failed to have his team prepared to play the physical game.

question | 5:37 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

did Hall have a bad day or did the U's defense have a great day? A real player knows the answer. He saw defensive packages for the first time and his coaching staff was over their heads. Poor Max wasn't prepared for what the Utes had in store for him, so you self appointed experts should shut your pie holes.

David | 5:44 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

RUN THE BALL MORE PLEASE. I hope this humbles Hall and the coaching staff some. I hope they realize that the strength of the team is not in hall but in playmakers like Unga and Collie and Pitta.

Anonymous | 6:20 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

WHOS PAUL KRUEGER????? Heard his name once during the game.

re: to meaningless | 6:45 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

it is absolutely true, max has potential but he has only shown up against bad teams, he gets abused against winning teams.

uncle george | 6:48 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

No one mentions terrible play calling by Y coaches. 7yds per carry rushing; just keep rushing until your stopped. Would have opened up passing lanes. remember 1996; byu rushed for something like 350 yards and won big.

Max-imum Meltdown | 7:12 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Team mates can rally, coaches can sound supportive, but everyone who wants to look at this game in a non-emotional way knows this game was close, were it not for one pivotal player. Max Hall singlehandedly gave Utah a blow-out win. I don't care what Utah did to prepare and execute, and neither should Max. A good quarterback will make those adjustments. Teams will always watch film, switch things up. Max is a solid guy and a fine athlete. BYU bashers can trash talk all they want, but it is true. But he will never be an exceptional quarterback, or anything but a "program quarterback" if he can't make the adjustments on the field under intense pressure. I am very disappointed in Hall, and BYU in general this year. BYU hasn't been solid, even under Bronco's leadership, against ranked teams since the Lavell Edwards days. What's up with that? After yesterday's game, I have little confidence next year will be any better than 9-3 or worse. Next year's slogan should be "good but not great" - did you hear the jab Whittingham gave in a press interview about Utah's "quest, err... um... journey" this year? Ouch.

Totally on Hall | 8:07 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

How can you not blame Hall for his performance. At the end of the day, he pulled the trigger on the passes. He forced the ball into places that it should never have gone. Thank goodness the recievers held onto the ball, otherwise it could have been even worse.

This loss rests squarely on Anae and Hall. Come on, a personal foul to end the half and give the Utes better field position. Nope, this is on Hall!!

I have no problems with the defense at all. Asita and Mack didn't do much at all. At the end of the day, we're 10-2...not bad at all, but still headed to Vegas again to play another Pac-10 foe...WHY? Can we play someone new for a change please?

fdg | 10:01 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Some of you nitwits who jump all over BYU and the teams they played this year as being weak sisters ( UCLA- Washington) you need to remember that these teams were scheduled years in advanced and if I remember they were tough at the time.I dont blame Max as much as the defence. Why, if some of you wise men can tell me . Why did the Y play 15-20 yards off the wide outs only to have The UTES pass the ball to them on slants in front of the defender or to the sideline. Utah could pick up 8-12 yards on thoes plays all day. The Y with that defence was bad. They have been poor all year with that defence. The Y will be better next year and so will Max.

UTE FAN | 10:07 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

The first half of the game was great. In seemed to me the tide turned when Hall let Kruger get the best of him mentally and emotionally. Jawing and name calling are all part of footbal and any football player goes into a game knowing this. Even the Pee Wee players. Shoving Kruger was just stupid. Hall at that point lost his composer and could not come back from that. He has some maturing to do. If you are going to play football you have to take the mental as well as the physical abuse.

Complex Puzzle | 10:17 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Football is a complex puzzle. Hall played Bad, no doubt! However, he had very good reason to believe he needed to score on every posssesion, as did Anae. You change this by putting a more solid D on the field and you solve one important piece of the puzzle. Next, the play calling. The two most critical turnovers came in situation that were screaming for a RUN! Anae is still learning, as he does this will solve another piece of the puzzle. And lastly, Utah had a very, very good secondary. They are NOT always going to be this talented and this experienced and this motivated etc. Hall played badly, but other forces are at play. Good news, the cougs averaged 7.1 yards per carry running. I like next year, and the bowl game chances.

I told you so | 10:28 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Saturdays performance is a perfect example of why Brigham Young University needs to drop all of its sports programs. Football and other sports programs drain this university of millions of dollars each year. This money could be spent on more valuable educational programs which would have a more positive effective on our community and the world than the hatred, anger, poor sportsmanship that is exhibited by both players, coaches and fans that this rivalry creates.
Brigham Young needs to realize that they will never be able to compete on the field or court with other schools. The lack of top talent will always be a problem at Brigham Young. Is there any doubt as to why whittingham didn't want to come back to Brigham Young. He knew he couldn't win there. The top LDS student athletes will continue to attend other schools where they can compete for a real team and for real championships.

To the Lame Ute fans, not all | 10:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

6 Turn Overs is the DEFINITION of NOT "doing whats right on the field"! So that joke isn't going to work. The smart Utes get that.

To Lame BYU fans, not all.

You get excluded from the JOY of Max Hall turning it on the Utes next year in Provo! which I predict he will. Trust, he will get better. Ask Steve, and Ty about chucking 5 pix.

Fact is: the utes were good, it's the way it is these days, they have a stud coach. But so does BYU we are not 0-4 against them, 2-2 I think we are going to have to get used to a .500 record against Utah from now on. Lets see what happens when TCU and Utah come to LES next year.

You're Kidding, Right? | 10:42 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

ONE BAD GAME and Max Hall's a loser?

You people are unreal. And that's why I no longer call myself a "BYU fan." You people can't stand to have one bad game. Your "Quest For Perfection" is sadly warped and twisted. Does your "Quest" include mercy, forgiveness, loyalty, and compassion?

Come off it--the Utah defense did its job, which was to FORCE Max Hall into making bad decisions. Sure, he made them, and he acknowledges that. It's his job to learn from this experience and do better the next time he's on the field.

The last I checked my dictionary, fans are people who SUPPORT their own players, even if they're having a tough time against quality competition. With "BYU fans" like THIS, who NEEDS to go to Laramie or RES?

"BYU fans": Take the loss to a better team like decent human beings and enjoy the good season you had. And for Pete's sake, stop embarrassing yourselves.

Facts | 10:46 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

No way to sugarcoat this. This one is on Hall's shoulders, not BYU's defense. BYU's defense gets two critical stops in a row. Each ensuing offensive possession ends in a turnover and Utah touchdown. Game over.

bboyjr | 11:01 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

What a class act. To give such credit to the U's defense by saying the played "outstanding" says alot about Hall. I look forward to the Cougs having a little role-reversal next year as we go undefeated by finishing off the season beating the Utes at Lavell Edwards Stadium and do a little BCS-busting ourselves.

Also, is it just me or do the Utes have a little bit of an inferiority complex? It seems they (as well as TCU this year) are always super motivated to beat BYU, while BYU kind of just looks at it as another game. I just watched Brent Casteel say their main goal all season was to beat BYU (and, as a side-note, to go undefeated). Is it because BYU was 19-2 against the Utes from 1972 to 1992, or do the outspoken majority or slight minority of Ute fans just hate members of the church that much?

re hey henry | 11:21 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

bottom line is utah is better than byu this year!!! #1 they beat byu
#2 they beat tcu #14 in the country
#3 they beat oregon state (possibly the pac 10 champs)
utah is a good team they deserve a chance to play in the bcs win or lose.

Ease Up! | 11:50 p.m. Nov. 23, 2008

Chill out both BYU and Utah fans. I distinctly remember Brian Johnson throwing four picks and fumbling twice in a game last year and Ute fans calling for his head. BYU fans- chill out too. if you think you can do better than max, BYU holds tryouts every year. There is your chance. I once threw 3 picks, fumbled twice, and mishandled a potential game winning field goal snap all in one game my senior year in high school. I know how Maxie is feeling right now, but I know he will bounce back. He's a good kid, and a good QB.

Movin' on | 12:19 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

It was a good game and no one can deny that. Utah took advantage of a short multiple times, and Max Hall put the Ball Where he shouldn't have, and it cost them the game. It had nothing to do with the offense not producing yards. BYU had 419 yard to Utah's 415. Thats right BYU Had more yards!!! What does that say..... UTAH's deffense had better get their defense together if they think they can play against the likes of USC, Florida, or Oklahoma. Those are defenses that will give Utah problems with putting 20 points on the board. If Utah does not come up with a good game plan, and doesn't end up playing a Big East or ACC team they're gonna end up just like Hawaii of last season. And Look at where they're at now. This BYU UTAH game will mean nothing if UTAH gets blown out. This is gonna be some ride for Brian Johnson.

Wendy | 5:23 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I am all for a good rivalry and it is clear that the Utah team played better. But what is so disturbing is all the anti-mormon hate and mocking. And even some general authorities are wearing red while standing by a Ute fan who proudly display fBYU. That is mind boggling. It seems like for some Sports supercedes everything!

RE: Henry Drummond | 5:36 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

BYU is "rebuilding their program"? really? Where were you the last two years when BYU dominated the conference and ended both seasons nationally ranked?

darnreed | 7:17 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Great season to both programs, and a tribute to the MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE'S progress. Throw in TCU. They are a tribute to the conference as well. I hope all three do well in their respective bowl games. Saturday's game was won by the better team that day and one who has faught alot of adversity getting to where they deserve to be. THey paid the price to accomplish what they have done, I am a Utahn who wants to continue to see the level of college football in the state continue to increase. Best to the Ute's, Cougars and Hornfrogs and Falcons in their respective bowl games.

Defense | 7:55 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

The major problems still remain in the defense. Anae helped design the Texas Tech attack. He knows how to defeat a spread offense.

OK knows how to defeat a spread offense-attack it. That takes the right players with the right capability. BYU has played prevent all season because that is what thier current players were capable of playing. The coaches knew it would be very hard to beat a decent spread offense (TCU, UT).

The BYU recruiting pool should be large enough to get 3 to 4 players with the speed that is needed to fix the defense.

Position mastery will only take you so far. It also disappears as soon as you get an injury. OU just reloads if they get an injury. BYU can't do that yet.

Go get the players (from any current position) you need and teach them how to play defense.

Hall forces the ball when the team is behind. He takes risks that he normally would not since BYU is already losing and the defense is shaky. In other words BYU relys on Hall to outscore the other team to make up for the defensive problems.

Build smart from this loss.

AZ Coug | 8:10 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

BYU's defense was not horrible. They were put in positions that were impossible.

I physically hate Utah, but that is what a good rivalry is about. I love the talk from the Utes about how BYU is medeocre, when that has been the hallmark of the Utah program over the last 10 years. Give it up Utah defense for pressure to create those turnovers. Feel free to talk trash for the next year. BYU has been able to talk trash for the last two.

Max Hall does telegraph his passes and I assume all the coaches and players know that since even the arm chair QB's can see it.

Nothing wrong with 10-2 for the last three years-that is awesome. I will take that for the next five.

Play with your | 8:34 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

"Coach and team come to Max's defense."

After the game.

With their mouths.

I thought you did your talking with your hats, with your game. Apparently BYU doesn't teach that.

"We win with the haka." (Aside from that fact it is racist. Aside from the fact american indians are smart enough not to exploit and embarrass their culture like that, it teaches players to talk a good game instead of play one. Bingham did the haka Friday, too. How'd that work for them?)

"Quest for perfection."

"Best offensive line ever."

"NFL is interested in all the Senior lineman." Then they must think they'll get much better coaching in the NFL, because they just aren't that good now. But I digress. TALK a good game. That is what matters.

Now if Anae would've run the ball, maybe that would've proven true. If Hall didn't telegraph EVERY PASS, and looked DB's and D-lineman off once in awhile. ("I just followed his eyes," Paul Kruegar)

If Hall would tuck it when he ran. If the backs would tuck it in the correct arm when they ran. (Seriously, that is pee wee league fundamental, coaches.)

PLAY defense, don't talk defensively.

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Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Utah DE Paul Kruger (11) scoops up a Max Hall fumble — one of six turnovers the QB was responsible for in the loss.

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BYU football: Coach, team come to Hall's defense