Deseret News | Top 10 plays during the BYU football season

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Dick Harmon: Top 10 plays during the BYU football season

Ernest T. Bass | 9:54 a.m. Jan. 1, 2009

There were way more than 10 good plays.
There just so awesome!

bergstro | 10:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Ernest T. Bass is right, there were so many awesome plays. Let's keep listing them:

11. Max Hall's perfect pass to Sean Smith.

12. Max Hall's perfect pass to Joe Dale.

13. Max Hall's perfect pass to Paul Kruger.

14. Max Hall's gutsy shuttling of the ball on the ground to find the open Paul Kruger.

15. A wonderful Facebook site dedicated to Austin Collie's verbal acumen and tact.

Honestly?!! | 10:38 a.m. Jan. 1, 2009

You're kidding me, right? Does anyone really care about BYU's "Top 10" plays for '08? This article is totally embarrassing coming on the heels of Utah's appearance in the Sugar Bowl.

Here are some better titles:

1. "Top 10 plays that DIDN'T Matter!"
2. "Top 10 plays of a 'lack-luster' season."
3. "Top 10 plays of the losing season."
4. "Top 10 plays of BYU's Mediocrity."

Harmon did get it right when he said that losing to Utah was the "Worst loss."

As a Cougar fan - GOOD LUCK to the UTES!!
Beat 'BAMA!

Comments continue below

RE: Honestly | 11:15 a.m. Jan. 1, 2009

You are so ridiculously lame. You actually think for a second that you can disguise yourself as a Coug fan? We all can smell the stench of a Ute troll. Go ahead claim scoreboard, it was disappointing to lose to the U, but give me a break already.

In spite of some of these insufferable Ute fans, I do hope the Utes beat 'bama. I can't stand the BCS.

RE: RE: Honestly | 1:09 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

You're right. You got me!! I am a Ute FAN. . . Way to go, that was a hard one to figure out.

However, I'm surprised that you admit you're a BYU fan. Pres. Monson would appreciate your "We all can smell the stench of a Ute troll" statement.

Hate is in your heart.

Petey | 1:15 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

"Hate is in your Heart"

Says the Ute fan who visits BYU articles to talk smack. Good one.

Go back to your cave Ute fan.

Why R We Still Talking About BYU | 1:41 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

BYU football is irrelevant, their Quest for Perfection season was officially put out of misery in Vegas.

Please move on, the only relevant football program in Utah is playing tomorrow.

Go UTES!!

Why R We Still Talking About BYU | 1:55 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Because so of us don't give a damn about utah.

And if you want to talk about utah, go to the utah blog.

And since your here. Roll Tide!

Laughing at Ute fans | 1:59 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

You guys can't let it be can you? Little brother can't stomach an article about BYU without commenting. You make us releveant and prove that BYU is in your heads every time you post your rubbish after reading BYU articles. You also prove that you are not true Ute fans since you are surfing the net instead of in New Orleans enjoying Utah's once every four yrs good season.

Dick is a Zoob | 2:03 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

"Experts connected to the program claim that single statistic [turnovers] looms as the most significant reason ï¿½ not the defense ï¿½ as to why the Cougars did not win a least a piece of the league title and finish 12-1."

LOL!!! Who are these so called experts? If they're BYU coaches then BYU program is in real trouble (see facts below).

I am no expert but looking at statistics on ESPN I personally think TCU, Utah, and UofA DEFENSES had something to do with the fact that BYU finished 10-3.

BYU's defense stunk, if not please explain these facts: BYU...

Allowed the mighty Washington 0-12 team to score 27 points, second most points scored in a game by the Huskies (they scored 28 points against the powerhouse 5-7 Standford team).

Allowed 5-7 UNLV to score 35 points at BYU.

Allowed 42 points by CSU.

If D News pays I can do a better job writing this article, I won't even use experts to back my facts.

BYU Fan for Real | 2:10 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

As a True Blue BYU Fan, I reserve the right to criticize MY Team anytime I like!

I am VERY disappointed in the team this year. I am downright ANGRY with that idiot Max Hall! He blew the last two games! He just threw them away!

I am disappointed in Coach Mendenhall. He spends too much time playing like he's a bishop to these kids instead of a football coach. The firesides have got to go! I agree with someone else on here who said Bronco is getting paid to coach football, not to teach religion to these guys!

I LOVE the fact that Utah is playing the Tide in the Sugar Bowl! They deserve it, and I hope they win impressively!

So don't go calling ME a Ute Troll! I'm just a justifiably disgruntled Y fan!

Ute Fan to BYU Fans... | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

FYI: Season is over... get over it and go watch the Rose Bowl.

I don't see a Weber State article, which can be argued had a better year this year.

"Little brother can't stomach an article about BYU without commenting."

Its not about that, its that it is little brothers time to shine so get out of our spotlight.

This article would have been appropriate right after the Vegas Bowl not a day before Utah plays in the biggest game in MWC history.

"And since your here. Roll Tide!"

I hope they do Roll Over and die, something like BYU did this year against superior teams.

Anne | 2:31 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Out of curiosity, I opened the Deseret News sport's page to see if it were possible to go a day without an article about BYU football. I guess it isn't. Since there isn't anything relevant to write about, Harmon has to go back over the past four months to find something nice to say.

I am excited about Utah's game tomorrow. I realize that no one is giving them a chance, but I predict Alabama will be blindsided. I have found those who believe the hype about themselves have a difficult time when reality hits. I think it will be close.

And honestly, I hope the best for BYU football, as I have two sons who are avid fans, one of whom is a student there.

Re: Dick is a Zoob | 4:00 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

NICE!!!

Hey, I want the kewger fans who posted comments today to know that my feelings have really been hurt with the whole "Petey" and "cave" comments. . . that's not nice.

If feel so 'beaten down.' So 'demoralized.' So . . . 48 to 24!

BYU FANS | 4:26 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

This article was perfect for any cheap shot artist. Both Utah and BYU have fans that should be taken behind the barn and shot, given their crazy comments. I have a plan. BYU your football season is over and you are very lucky that your team only lost three games. Believe it or not, BYU had a poor defensive program .

You do have a good BB team this year. I hope the Y and the U have a good season this year. The only real bitch we both have is the final games of the year being play at UNLV. GO UTAH BEAT ALABAMA

Spudman | 4:34 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

After Bama cleans the Utes, let's have them take another run at the Broncos. I think they will come up short there too. Can you say 36-3 at RES?

Fence Sitter turned Y fan | 6:37 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Like usual, about 90% of the comments on this feed are ridiculous, by both Y and U fans. U fans reading articles about the Y to attack them on the message boards is so pathetic, but so are Cougar fans who actually respond to the ridiculous posts. I am a U student who until the BYU/Utah game this year cheered for both teams, and really only ever wanted a close game in the rivalry. So I should be cheering for Utah against Alabama tomorrow, but the things I heard people say to Y fans about the LDS church, their lifestyle, and of course football converted me to a full-fledged Y fan. I was so disappointed in the student body and others at the game, that I left at halftime when it was still a game. So, after that experience I can never see myself cheering for Utah in anything ever again, and I am a U student.

BYU football fans... | 8:33 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

move on.
2008 season is awfully bad.
2009 does not look any better --probably 8-4 record with a third place in MWC

Hahahaha | 8:48 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

to : BYU football fans...

Myself, like most BYU football fans have moved on from our disappointing 2008 season, but the question is how do you figure that 2009 will result in an 8-4 record and third place in the MWC? Please explain

TO HAHAHAHA | 10:00 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Our first two hits will come from Oklahoma and Florida State. P.S. Our defense is still slow and Hall likes throwing to guys in Red shirts and Purple Shirts. That called 8 and 4. Home field will not stop TCU or the U.

CougarFan | 10:39 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

Harmon is dead on when he wrote the single biggest stat was the 13 turnovers in the 3 losses. Without those turnovers, BYU is at least 12-1 if not 13-0.

BYU's defense was not as bad as people perceive it was. When BYU played Washington, Locker was still healthy. Washington would have won several games had he played the full year. BYU finished 41st in the nation in scoring defense which was ahead of LSU, Oklahoma, Miami, and Georgia. It wasn't BYU's best defense but hardly the main reason they lost 3 games. BYU played all of the other MWC bowl teams on the road this year ... Utah had 3 of 4 at home with only Air Force on the road (and nearly lost).

BYU finished 10-3. I'll take that most any year. Obviously, I hoped for better but yewt fans better be careful about spouting off about 2009. BYU returns much of their team and has TCU, Utah, and Air Force at home.

Utah loses their Sr. QB and all-world kicker and will have to play the best MWC teams on the road. We'll see them slip back to 3rd or 4th next year.

RE: Fence Sitter turned Y fan | 10:39 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009

"I was so disappointed in the student body and others at the game, that I left at halftime when it was still a game. So, after that experience I can never see myself cheering for Utah in anything ever again, and I am a U student."

Yea and I am the Easter bunny. Cry me a river go root for whom ever, no one cares. My seven year old puts up with more trash talk at his Jr. Jazz game.

Defense? | 12:57 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009

What defense? Teams scored at will against us for most of the second half of the year. How many times did the defense step up after a turnover and take the ball back? Did our defense score touchdowns? What about pass interceptions?

The defense was passive, beaten fort very big plays, and incapable of adjusting to what the other team was doing.

Hall and Collie's numbers were good enough to win 12 games.

BYU FAN | 1:04 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009

WE ALL GIVE UP. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THOSE 13 TURNOVERS, BYU WOULD BE PLAYING FLORIDA FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. IF IFS AND BUTS WERE CANDY AND NUTS, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE. WHEN WILL YOU BYU FANS FINALLY GIVE UP. YOU LOST 3 GAMES AND YOU DID NOT EVEN GET CLOSE.

Surprised at the timing... | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009

I was surprised that Harmon and the Dnews would run this article right during the major bowl season. I think most BYU fans can agree that this season was a little disappointing and that we wanted to be in the BCS, so why do a recap of the season right when we're hurting most. Why not focus on the basketball team their playing great.

Finally figure it out | 10:01 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009

Last year's leader was kehl and the year before that was beck. This year's leader....nobody

BYU has no leadership. That was their problem. When things got rough, nobody stepped up.

Typically a QB provides the leadership but when your QB has all the turnovers, it's hard for him to provide leadership when he is struggling with his own confidence.

I think Max is an ok quarterback, but he needs to provide more leadership for this team to succeed.

Facts | 11:24 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009

So may yewt fans talk smack about how good BJ is.
They for get Max Hall beat Utah with a 4th and 18 play. This year Max had more touch downs, pass yards and better QB rating. True he fell apart in the Utah game but Bama will not make the mistakes BYU did and with the Tide "D" BJ will get hammered.

Roll Tide.

Anonymous | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

also, FACTS. I'd take wins over fantasy stats any day. Max Hall had those stats because the coaches wouldn't ram our 240 lb backs down the throats of other teams. If you are averaging over 5 yds a carry in the game against utah, max hall should never had been in the position to throw those picks.

sammy the sludge | 1:10 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

BYU needs to get tough. They spent the year practicing with no pads during the season. They paraded around hoping teams would roll over. None did. Not even teams we should have pounded, like Colorado St. and UNLV. We needed last second plays to beat both teams in very "video game" like performances with points being scored at will.

Until the philosophy changes, the Y won't win against top teams, not even the top teams in conference. All the talk about leaving the MWC to go to the Pac 10 or Big 12 is ridiculous. If Boise St. came to the MWC, then we could start looking like a major conference with 3 maybe 4 legitimate teams every year.

The talk about the Y going undefeated in preseason was ridiculous. Did anyone look at the schedules ??
The utes have a better program right now, hands down. THey are tough and mean and until we get that mentality, we should accept the fact that a 10 win season is great.

Re: sammy the sludge | 4:53 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

BYU is tough, they just aren't stupid.

The reason they didn't hit during practice was so that they wouldn't get unnecessary injuries, and there were still some very tough, very hard hitters on the team (Coleby Clawson, Harvey Unga, Matt Putnam, etc.)

Whotah will go back to being 4th in the conference next year. BYU will continue to be consistent for years to come and they will get to a BCS bowl eventually at least if not another NC someday.

And can we have a friggin' article about what things we actually did well this season including the 10 WINS we got without Utah fans being jackasses? Go watch the Sugar Bowl Ute fans and be glad at what you accomplished. All of your "great" accomplishments have a good chance of ending tonight anyway. I want to support Utah in this game for the conference's sake but some retarded Ute fans don't make it easy.

Hello, | 9:39 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

Hello, I just call to say...Utah won!

Goodnight, BYU fans!!!

Gretzky | 10:51 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

Utes did the MWC proud. outstanding. Good job by BYU being ranked high enough early on in the season to set it up for the Utes to beat TCU who had beaten BYU (and in reality also beat Utah except for the home town refs) and thus make it to the bsc bowl series games. fortunately Bama was without Andre Smith and the Tide seemed to be reeling from the florida upset still.

to Laughing at Ute fans | 12:35 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

Little brother is a term used to describe a younger sibling. The University of Utah was started before BYU and therefore BYU is the "little brother" to the U. And great job by Utah with their win over Bama. Bama looked confused for the entire first quarter and really most of the game. They had a few good drives in the second quarter and one in the fourth but never really looked like they knew what to do against Johnson and Utah. Utah's defense played outstanding as well. 8 SACKS!!!!! that is impressive. I know Bama's star lineman was out but great teams cope with things like that. Utah is a great team this season and deserves credit. BYU had a good season. Not what Y fans were hoping but they did have a good season. How can anyone say a 10 win season isn't a good season? Good job by both programs but if you want to know my honest opinion about BYU I think the coaches let the players down. It didn't seem to me that they were good at preparing game plans each week. They looked exactly the same every game. Good season though

JamesG | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I hope all you UTe fans realize how lucky you are to have Bronco Mendenhall as a football profit. It turns out, he must really dream in black and white. His prophecy about the perfect season and his "quest for perfection" was fulfilled last night. I heard Bronco say that when he dreamed of the perfect season, he didn't pay attention to the writing on the jerseys. In his last fireside, he proclaimed that Utah was the team in his dream, and they truly did carry out the perfect season. Now I know the church is true.
It's just too bad BYU got smoked by a less-than-powerful PAC 10 team. It would have added legitimacy to their season if their only losses came to teams that ended up in the top 10.

Anonymous | 2:59 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

After watching Utah dismantle Alabama last night I am wondering just how far we are actually behind Utah in talent? We have no speed and this year's recruiting class is worlds behind Utah and TCU are chief rivals. Speaking of rivals.com we are currently 55th Wow! Tcu 37th and Utah 43rd. Utah will make the biggest jump come signing day and get some more speed that they don't normally get and TCU will make some strides also while we lag back and miss out on Manti Teo and more speed. Are recruiting is not on the same planet as are foes. Expect another slow BYU team next year as Bronco stays pat with his slow bend but don't break defense and give up 40 pts. a game. Sorry BYU fans it does'nt look good in keeping up with are rivals. Expect another 3 or 4 loss season and a dull trip the the toilet bowl.

Re: Anonymous | 12:38 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009

If you really claim to be a BYU fan then just jump off the band wagon now. We don't need faithless fans like you. Speed does not kill, TURNOVERS KILL as was proven in BYU's three losses this season. To say that our recruiting is world's behind our rivals is stupid. Three 10 win seasons is sure to attract plenty of great recruits. Another fact: many players on the depth chart have great speed, they just are not all the starters. The home-road schedule is very favorable in conference and non-conference with the exception of Oklahoma on the road. 12-1 is very possible, and maybe even 13-0 if we play our guts out against the Sooners, which I think we will, and we do have a shot at a win over them, which means we do have a SHOT at 13-0. Florida State is at home, which I like our chances against, and Arizona St. on the road is winnable, plus Utah St. at home is very winnable. The toughest teams in conference we get at home, and the "weaker" teams are on the road for the most part. Have some faith in Coach Mendenhall, he's done some great things.

TOP 10 for BYU | 5:43 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

They were able to fine 10 plays worth talking about, WOW.

Good team. | 8:09 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Can't wait for next year. It's going to be fun.

Re: TOP 5 for BYU | 3:28 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Name 5 worth talking about for Utah.

Memo to Cougar Nation | 3:38 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Utah came out and smashed ALA in the mouth right from the beginning. WOuldn't it be nice for the Cougs do to the same?

Hey Anae - See the U's first drive...that's called a creative offense. I thought you learned some of that at TTU.

Harvey - Did you see how Mack and Asiata run the ball. You used to do that early in the year too...stop turning your back on people and make them feel some pain for a change.

Defense - Enough said...the U defense is for real. Totally had ALA on the ropes the entire game.

Bottom line, play with some emotion and heart for heaven sake. Let's hope next year we offer some creativity on offense, and a have a QB that throws the ball to our team. OUT~!

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