Deseret News | Good enough: BYU Cougars get what they expected

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Good enough: BYU Cougars get what they expected — a win

CougarFan | 1:00 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I am a die hard Cougar Fan, but I will say that if the offense doesn't step it up....big time...BYU will lose to TCU, Wyoming, and Utah in November. Even after it stopped raining today and the sun came out Hall couldn't complete a pass...you can't just run the ball and expect to win against the upcoming opponents. No wonder Coach scrapped the passing game....it was pathetic...to the point the "sold out" crowd started to boo not just Hall but his receivers as well.

laughing in San Diego | 1:15 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Good enough? HAAAAA!! Ya, I guess winning by five touchdowns is only considered "good enough" these days. Despite the obvious issues BYU had on offense, do I have to repeat the fact that we did indeed win 42-7? I believe that is a 35 point whooping. Oh, only allowing 7 points? I guess that was just good enough as well. I mean, if we had just won with a score of 28-17, or something, I could definitely see everyone agreeing that it was a "good enough" effort. But, come on, Scott! I can accept the deserved criticism, but you have got to follow it up with something like, "oh, by the way, did I mention that despite the poor offensive passing performance, BYU still was able to completely dominate this DIV-II foe like we expected them to?"

Lastly, the funniest thing about the DN reporting is that you guys don't seem to realize that, even with all the criticism you constantly throw their way, BYU is still on top of the conference with an undefeated record, and also is tied for the fewest overall losses (5-2).

NevadaCoug | 1:29 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I'm really not worried about the passing game, yet. There were just too many dropped balls early, and I think that helped take Hall out of his rhythm. The receivers have to catch those balls. Pitta, especially had a rough go in the early part of the game.

Comments continue below

oregon ute | 2:45 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

utah is looking better and BYU is ploaying weaker teams. I am affraid that Utah is gaing the Moe andmight beat BYU. Where is Lenny?

RE: Cougar Fan ? | 4:15 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

someone calling themself cougarfan predicts losses to TCU, Wyoming, Utah?

TCU really? The conference cellar dweller.

Come on now. I will give you that Utah will be a tough game but the cougars are sitting pretty right now. I can easily see them match last years record.

And all this in what is supposed to be a rebuilding year. BYU has far exceeded expectations this year in my book.

Let's keep it going!

lose to who? | 5:33 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

there is no way byu will lose to tcu, wyoming and utah! even if the passing game isn't there, with the run game and the way the defense is playing they will at least win two of the three, and that is if the passing game is still not up to par. lose to all three?! give me a break

Balanced View | 6:01 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

For laughing in San Diego, no need to get so worked up. The fact they were playing a team with such lopsided talent, tools and resources makes this game a non-issue. Save your energies to defend the cougs when they are playing a respectable team.

Ken | 8:01 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

No, BYU will not lose to TCU. If you've seen TCU play, you'd know the Horned Frogs have no offense whatsoever, and their defense isn't nearly as good as everyone thought they would be. BYU will easily beat TCU.

KP Re: Cougarfan | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Cougarfan??? More like Chicken Little! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

All this after BYU wins 42-7? Sure, it wasn't the 77-0 score you must have expected. Look around the country at other schools--who has had a ride where all of their games looked smooth and flawless? Name the school and look at their schedule--most have played a sloppy game against a team that they had been the heavy favorite.

Fans from any of the other MWC schools would love to trade places with you. Their teams have shown their vulnerability. You forget--the other teams also prepares and competes! Give the other teams credit for trying to win. EWU is as advertised--a good 1-AA team. The fact that you are unfamiliar with their team doesn't make them a pushover.

To "CougarFan" | 8:29 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I didn't hear any booing, and most Cougar fans know that it is unacceptable to boo our own players. I think you are a Ute fan trying to muck things up.

Schedule | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Let's stop scheduling Division 2 teams! Come on. I know a lot of teams do this...it is ridiculous for any team from the MWC to schedule a Div 2 team. We already have plenty of easy wins.

Older&Wiser | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Remember that Hall has always played in Arizona and this is the first time he has ever played a game in cold weather, yet he still completed 50% of his passes. Considering there were at least 6 dropped that were in the hands of the receiver, this is not a bad performance at any level, especially compared to the other BYU greats when sophomores. If Cougar Fan is a real fan, he is obviously one of those, and there seem to be far too many, who are difficult to satisfy and seem to be overly critical and may even be among those dorks that boo our own players. I am pretty much believe convinced that those who fit into this fan category have never really played the game.

FullyInvestedBYU in ACC territor | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Taylor, (From the Heart of ACC Football) could not think of a headliner for yourself so you borrowed from the stltrib writer Friday edition Utah football: Pretty or not, Utes do enough to get job done. Totally Different games, itï¿½s difficult to get up for a team the media has been blasting since they were scheduled,. Give them a break; the #1 team in the Nation Ohio State has gotten away with it by playing 1st 2 games of the season; Youngstown State 38-6; Akron 20-2; then 7th game Kent State 48-3, (37.5% their Season to date) You and all the whinny fans need to wake-up and look outside their Little State of Utah. BYU lacked focus after going up so fast. First cold game, need to practice in the seasonal conditions, not in doors, they played better than enough. Did you want them to do embarrass their opponent like the classless BCS teams? Intensity of game makes for much better play, but it is hard to do when you keep scoring without much effort except for Ungaï¿½s punishing performance much on his own (lack of blocking). Eastern Washington is much better team than those mentioned above.

not fully focused | 9:24 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Even though I'm sure Bronco & his assistants tried to get all their players to focus on this opponent it seems not all of them were focused to the best of their ability. I can understand that. Some opponents will really grab the attention of all players and other opponents won't.

zoobie in slc | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

congrats cewgars!

this is a real feather in the ol' cap.

bcs teams will have our respect in no time if we can keep this up!

Roy Atkin | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Bring on Appalachian State.... It would be more impressive to schedule them than E.Washington.

Good Luck Cougars against SDSU. SDSU is improving and waiting for an upset! The Lobos were just 15 seconds from getting beaten. Remember Stanford beat USC.

AZCougarFan | 9:39 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

As we have seen every week since the football season began in the NCAA, any one team is free to lose, regardless of their ranking. So, having said that, the coaches and team members must, each week, prepare to win and work hard in practices to accomplish that end result throughout the week. So, fellow Cougar fans, be prepared and hope for the best. Go Cougars!

Biggest U fan | 10:27 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I dont like to stand up for BYU, but all these jabs about playing a IAA school is stupid. When the NCAA ok'd a 12th game for everyone most teams who played only 11 had to grab an extra game. No big team is gonna fill that gap. Thats why Utah had NAU last year and WSU next year. They changed the rule last season. As for the BYU fans who keep posting that EWU could beat most MWC teams, your making all Cougar fans look bad. NOBODY could honestly think that. Utah st would blow them out. They are a below average Big Sky team, they arent App. St. So BYU did what they were expected to do, there is no reason to even disect the game and try and compare things.

The Rest of the story. | 10:28 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Yes, TCU, Wyoming and to some extent Utah certainly have all the tools upset the cougars. First, they have a bench, if things are not working the coaching staff may find some unknown, over looked, unscouted kid and give him a chance. Change, the fundimental attack. Simple things cause upsets, as witnessed BY the cougars!!!

My concern would be next years linebackers and scondary. At this point I would have expected the back ups to have a lot more field experience.

Scond concern is Austen, what's the deal? 12 yds?

re/ Fully invested | 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

EWU is better than those teams listen above? Akron and Kent St are D1 teams. EWU LOST TO 2-5 PORTLAND ST. at home. SDSU 52-17 vs Portland st. I see where you would think EWU is good.

Terrible showing | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

14 points was produced by the Defense. Special teams probably produced th other 7 to 14 with very short fields. So that leaves 14 maybe a little more to the offense. It was a terrible offensive performance! I was at the game and yes the wet and cold conditions played into it. Hall was terrible with a lot of passes and when they were good the receivers dropped them.

If BYU plays any where near this game they will loose any of the remaining games. You can count Wyoming and TCU as losses and who knows which team Utah will show up with.

Defense was very good. Lets pick it up Cougars, I look for better execution next week on offense.

From a fully invested Cougar, who is a realist.. :)

joe dirt (aka) al | 10:40 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

BYU is a good team that is striving to be a great team but is still has much to learn and experience before they achive greatness. We witnessed how a lack of focus, a turn over, and mistakes can make a team that is tops in the MWC look pretty much medioker. The potencial is there and the furture is a very bright one. A big concern is the ability to get the ball up field to our wide receivers when they are taking the short pass away. The great thing is and the strength of team is the good defence and ground game. I love the effort of the team

Atlanta Fan | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Oregon Ute Lenny is in Atlanta coaching High School football and golf and selling lumber. He would still say something about the Utes pumping gas or working at Mickey Dees. I was actually hoping that Gaskins would get a chance to show is stuff.

Scooter | 11:18 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

It was a win and a win is a win I know that I didn't boo at the game and as Byu fans we shouldn't boo, give Max a break his recievers dropped a lot of balls Max threw a complete pass to Harvey Unga and he caught the ball and scored a touchdown, my point is it was a lack of consentration I was very pleased with Byu performance. Cougarfan you must not be a die hard cougarfan because of the games you mentioned only one is on the road and that would be Wyoming and they are on a losing streak right now. We just need to focus on one game at a time and that would be Sandiego St. Go Cougars!!!!

Same Ol | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Isnt the response Bronco gave after the game the same ol as we have heard after every game the entire season. Do you think he and his coaching staff prepare for every game the same, at least since the cougs played Tulsa. BYU will prepare for San Diego State, they will shut down SDSU's Offense, they will run the ball on offense and then come up with big third down conversions to the tight ends and Harvey Unga, Max Hall will throw one or two interceptions, and BYU will win by ten points. It will be the same ol BYU, and their streak will continue. Why? Because they prepare and are consistant. Maybe to consistantly.

Chuck | 12:12 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Enough about E. Washington! That game is in the books. As for whining about scheduling, those schedules are made 3-5 years in advance. The past few years have seen some conference realignments which indirectly and directly affects many schedules. It happens to every school. To suggest otherwise only proves how uninformed you really are.

UTEHATER | 12:18 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Just win baby!

LB | 12:20 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I suppose we all crave contraversy to a certain degree; it gives a sense that we're knowledgeable about inconsequential matters such as sports, where all the emphasis is on winning. Emphasis on winning has been around since (and before) Vince Lombari, who was known to have said, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Now we've "progressed(?)" to the point that winning is just as important to us as ever, but we've added "winning pretty," as opposed to "winning ugly." Well, winning is, in my opinion, way, way too important to us. So it's good to see a coach who emphasizes honor. I wish all coaches did so; I wish all atheletes learned what's truly important in life; I wish all sports fans would get at least a clue.

Air Force | 12:28 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Air Force is very quietly making a run for the MWC. I Know they need a lot of help. But, if they can get past the lobos in Albq. all they have left in the mwc is a home game against the aztecs.

So if byu loses to the utes like they have 4 of the last 5 seasons all they need is TCU, or wyo or sdsu both road games to pull an upset for them.

What amazes me is that BYU is a running team now. Nobody has stopped the running game. It seems if the cougs ever fell behind big and had to pass to win a game they would be in big trouble. But to their credit nobody has stopped the run yet.

I had to laugh in one of the polls today seeing air force with 11 votes and byu with 6 votes. I love college football. I hate byu, but they beat air force by 25 and are behind them in one of the polls. Are figure skating judges doing the rankings. Bring in a playoff system!

Cougarblue | 1:33 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Dear Schedule, you seem to not realize that one of the NCAA requirements for a school to move from the old IAA to IA they have to play division IA schools and eventually play a specified number. How stupid would it be for division IA schools to say, we don't want you in our division so we won't schedule you at all. Get real.

The pollsters are nuts. I remember back in the 60's when BYU basketball had the 1, 4 and 7th ranked teams come to the Y to play in a two week span. They beat the number 1 and 7 team and dropped in the polls. The next week they beat the number 4 team and lost to Utah and they climbed in the polls. Neither ranking made sense those two weeks.

Polls are simply opinions. I agree with the Air Force vs BYU rankings.

Good thing BYU's defense showed up and really make the game interesting. It was fun to watch the game in a snow storm, trying to figure out what was happening on the field.

JD | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Quit disecting this game. It was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage. Hard for the players to get up for a meaningless game. Add to the fact, that the subs were in most of the second half and the snowy conditions, there wasn't much to even talk about.

Bottom line, the Cougars are atop the MWC and can control their own destiny, unlike the Utes or even Air Force.

Allie | 2:24 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Joe dirt is rad!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!! BYU is THe bomb!!

Enjoy the view from the Top | 2:48 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

because it surely could be a long and quick fall in the MWC, unless the cougars wise up and play ball.

Gaskins got jipped out of some quality time taking snaps. maybe later?

BYU can not win when scoring less than 30 points on ANY of the remaining teams. Promoting the run game doen't mean abandoning the pass, esp the deep ball.
The question is WHO is going to step up and actually catch the deep ball? Had hoped the run blocking would improve in order to compliment the passing yardage, NOT just more runs less passing!

Offensive Coaching? | 3:37 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Maybe Bronco needs to review the performance of the offensive coaching staff. The cougars have the talent and much of the time it is waiting on the sideline. As Bear Bryant always said "If you practice, you play" and they did. Talk about a total buy in, talk about total focus and motivation, if its only for one play. It welds a team into a unit.

Cougar83 | 4:27 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I wonder if anyone hasnoted(and they haven't that the cougars have played two of their first three games in conference on the the road and won. Next week we get SanDiego on the road(again). Three of the first four have been on the road boys and girls? Chances are likely that Sandiego State will go in the books as a win(likely I say).

CSU, TCU, and Utah are at home and Wyo sandwiched in between.

No game in college fottball is a given, especially the way this season has gone. But let's give credit where the Cougars deserve some. They just happen to be pretty good at home despite how they play sometimes. Wyo isn't exactly playing good football right now. Our game w/them could be their bowl game?

So all due resoect to our future opponents, if we dont win four of the next five then all our wworse fears will be realized.

I think the Cougs have a chance at running the table.
Even with Utah-standing in the way(we all know how deeply they want this one in Provo)we beat them in "their" lifestyle game.

Heads up Cougar Men and Women. We'll be just fine in the end!

Pac 10 fan | 4:28 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Even if BYU wins the rest of their games, what do they get? A trip to the Vegas Bowl to play the 4th or 5th best team from the Pac 10. Yippee

shintaji | 8:16 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

If BYU cannot get back to passing for 350 to 400 yards per game with a precision passing attack and using all receivers running precision routes forget raising the bar. We will be "running" right back into mediocrity. No way we beat the top tier programs, maybe even Utah for that matter with a "balanced attack". Passing takes a rythem and timing. When you run the ball as much as pass you lose both the rythem and the timing. To do what we are doing we don't need Brad Anae. We should be polishing up our passing game and improving the quarterbacks reads, running better routes and getting all receivers into the action. It doesn't do us any good to run against inferior teams and think we have a great running game. A great passing game opens up the run. That has always been our philosophy. If we are returning to our past then lets start using the ball control passing game with occasional shots downfield. Move the chains and wear out the opposing DB's chasing four or five receivers on all day.

KT-Sandy | 8:56 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

I was at the game and I see that the only big issue I have was that the recievers were dropping passes they should have caught. I was in the South Endzone and saw Collie drop a pass that went right through his hands in the endzone. Pitta was having a bad night also. With that said, I still think the team did fine. Particularly considering the weather. Like someone said, it was 42-7. One other thing. The touchdown that EWU got was pretty lucky. He threw that pass into double coverage after the line had made him hurry his pass.(Almost a sack.). Let's give the team credit for playing well considering everything. You know EWU came in knowing they had nothing to lose. Even tried a trick play and failed miserably. Go Cougars.

KM-Midvale | 9:35 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

Cougs did exactly what they had to do, win the football game. Now it is back to the conference race!

Coug | 9:44 p.m. Oct. 21, 2007

If BYU does not start stepping up the level of play, such as receivers beginning to hold onto footballs thrown into their chests, and max hall doesnt stop leading the conference in interceptions, then i can tell you right now we are in serious trouble for the utah and wyoming games, and the tcu game is no longer a walk over. that tcu defense will take advantage of max hall, not to mention the field day those utah DB's will have against him. max hall and the recievers need to step up and stop relying on the run game, or they are in trouble for the rest of the season. Another note-our corners also need to take it to the next level by the time utah comes to town, because right now those ute receivers will be burning our secondary all day, and if we start dropping more back to take care of them, johnson will burn us on the ground. Hopefully Mendenhall is cooking up a good game plan, cause i can smell a tough game coming :(

EWU | 7:43 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

They were 4-2 coming in. They had just creamed the #11 team in their division at home, and the week before had almost beaten the #1 team on the road. Don't give me all this garbage they are a bad team. They are a great team in their division.

Many teams this year and last had fallen to teams in their division. Give BYU credit for not letting it be a close game. The defense allowed under 300 yards. I'm sick of hearing so much negativity. We are not ute fans....quit all the crying about a solid win.

PolyBlue | 8:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

The UEW game gave us reason to focus on executing at a higher level. That's needed to motivate our team, because they are still a work in progress and their best is yet to come. I was at the game. I knew that we would be stung with a TD, when our defense allowed a lot of pass completions. But our D shut them down 90% of the time. Bronco said that Max is till maturing. That portends great things for the team, for the next 2 years, and great things for Max Hall. It's the "maturing" for him and for the team as a whole that keep me going to the games. We will overcome our mistakes. And I predict we will take the conference crown again this year...and next year...and the year after that! Goooooooo, Courgars!

Go Away | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

All this whining is driving me crazy. "If BYU doesn't step up.... wah wah wah" Shouldn't we be jumping out of our seats that we actually have a running game? Most teams would kill to have a rb that can get 200+ all purpose yards. Max is learning, remember how all of you hated John Beck his first year or two? So shut your traps, wear your blue, and quit pretending like you know what's best for any team. (IF you did, you'd be coaching, not couching.)

Go Cougs!

re/Go away | 10:17 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

from a Ute fan you couldnt have said it better. Beck was "terrible" and "an embarrassment to BYU football" back then. Look what he turned out to be. Max Hall is better than Beck was at this point. The key to your team is getting a lead and from there its over, you can pound the ball and eat the clock. Tulsa jumped out on you guys as did UCLA and playing catchup isnt BYU's game. I still think Utah and BYU are the best 2 teams in the MWC by far. Utah kicked themselves with the Air Force game and the UNLV game is unexplainable, injuries or not.

los | 11:11 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

Why are we scheduling Eastern Washington? Don't we realize we already play against them in the form of San Diego State, Colorado State and UNLV?

Look at it this way: If we play Oklahoma, LSU or any other big time program and LOSE, we are going to the Las Vegas Bowl. If we go 11-1,10-2 we are going to the Las Vegas Bowl. If we go 6-6 and win the conference, we are going to the Las Vegas Bowl That is our DOOMED destination UNLESS we play BIGGER Programs.

If we play more powerhouses and go 11-1 or 10-2 we STILL would have a chance of going to a BCS Bowl. Just imagine if we went 12-0 against a Texas, Michigan, and LSU? Maybe even an outside chance of a national championship.

We did have LSU on our schedule four and five years ago. Why did we cancel that? It's our own fault folks.

We did have USC and Notre Dame in the same year, but we blew it. But at least the fans were excited and recruits got fired up!

As long as we schedule cupcakes IT WILL ALWAYS BE LAS VEGAS!!

Go Cougs | 1:11 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

I'm tired of all this talk about how we shouldn't have scheduled EWU. Let's look at some other programs and their scheduling:

San Diego State plays Portland State
New Mexico plays Sacramento State
Utah plays Utah State (not div 1-AA, but close to it) and then Weber State in 2008
Arizona plays Northern Arizona
Tulsa plays UL-Monroe

Nearly everyone plays weak teams because they need to fill a twelve game schedule. Why doesn't BYU schedule more Pac-10, Big-10, or SEC teams? Basically, they won't come. It's too big of a risk.

Texas Cougar | 4:53 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

To 'Air Force'- I hear you! The rankings are most likely done by figure skating judges. Like Virginia being 50 spots ahead of Wyoming (in the media 1 to 120 rankings) after Wyoming spanked them 20-3 at the beginning of the year. Yet, somehow, beating up on most of the sub par ACC teams (teams so bad that they couldn't win the MWC this year) is noteworthy? Go figure!

re: Go Cougs | 6:13 p.m. Oct. 22, 2007

Umm...check your facts, man. We did schedule LSU and they actually agreed to come to Provo, and then we called and canceled, because according to BYU administration and coach Crowton, "It is too hard of a schedule." Also, I know from people inside the program that they've had opportunities with big schools but have opted to pass to "balance out the schedul."

Also, we don't neccesarily need to do a home and home. Utah scheduled a one and done against Michigan next year. TCU keeps scheduling one and dones against Okalahoma and Texas.

We should follow Fresono State's attitude of we'll play anyone any place any time.

The new Bike | 2:35 p.m. Oct. 23, 2007

a loving father once saved his money a dollar at a time just so he could buy his son a new bike. The big day came and dad weet down to firestones and bought the brightest red shiney bike with all the bells, baskets, and handle bar streamers. Son was so proud and rode it around the block.

An hour later dad found the lad in the backyard with the tool set, Son had removed the basket, bells streamers, and wheel covers. "Son what have you done?" the fathers asked.

"I just want my bike to look like evryone elses" the lad replied.

Well Bronco, The cougars look like the rest of the MWC

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Jason Olson, Deseret News

Players wait for the game to resume during a media timeout as snow falls during the Cougars' 42-7 win over Eastern Washington in Provo on Saturday. BYU improved its record to 5-2.

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Good enough: BYU Cougars get what they expected — a win

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Good enough: BYU Cougars get what they expected — a win