Comments about ‘Cougars put the fun back in football’

I saw Hall doubled over and and recognized that he was injured, injured bad.

Nice article Harmon. I for one am hopeful that the team brings all they have, execute well and celebrate like they did against AFA next Saturday. This BYU vs Utah game is as closely matched the two teams could be coming into this game.

Bring it on Utah. Your going to need all you got to be in this game. Cougars will have to bring all they have too. The loser in this game will be the one that makes the most mistakes. I do not see any room to err and still win.


Go Cougars.

I think Harmon nailed it right on the head for this game, it was very fun. In fact, watching BYU's defense absolutely shut down AF by fighting through blocks was as much fun as I've had watching BYU play since the OU game. Watching Anae attack AF's soft spot with the tight ends over and over and over again (as opposed to just running the same script plays) was very fun. Even the ridiculous and made up "intent to deceive" penalty that cost BYU 7 points was fun because the players, coaches and crowd responded by being that much more into the game. This game was not as close as the score indicated and the only reason AF's stats look okay was because BYU's scrubs were in for a meaningless long fourth quarter drive. It was all fun and I hope that translates to next week.

This team has been singularly difficult to watch all season - until yesterday. They had succeeded at proving to the fans they were more than capable of removing the fun from a football game. My congratulations for finally playing the game right and letting us all be a part of it. Win or lose, you can play the game with emotion. That was the big and well deserved rap against Lavell. To come out onto the field and act like they are in the ward house chapel and then expect the fans to respond was ludicrous. Players and coaches - we've always been there. Who do you think pays to fill up 65,000 seats? It's just really nice that you've all finally decided to come to the party. And, no,
Bronco - you DON'T turn it down this week. You let it go crazy because that's what you'll face for four quarters next Saturday. GO COUGARS - give no quarter.

I hope the Cougars are a little more careful when celebrating big plays, they could hurt each other. How many times has that happened in a sporting event where someone gets seriously injured while celebrating? I am surprised it doesn't happen more often, such as when all the baseball players pile on the pitcher at the end of a big win.

Hopefully if Coach Mendenhall has learned anything this season it is that emotion and fire is just as important to success on the football field as position mastery and perfect execution. The Cougs had no emotion against FSU and TCU for some odd reason. Even NM showed that an overwhelmingly better team can almost stumble when playing without passion, fire and fun.

Coach - we love you. You are perfect for Provo. But just like you ask your kids to bring it week in and week out we need you to light a fire under these kids every week too. Firesides are for Friday night. Saturday is for letting loose and making sure emotion is there along with the execution and position mastery you so love. I guarantee you the Utes will have it. Go Cougs!!!!

Max Hall injured that way? I thought that's what cups were for.

You know, I'm happy that Bronco is showing some emotion too, but there used to be this coach that prowled the sidelines in Provo who had a growl and a scowl permanently embedded into his face.

His name was LaVell Edwards, and he had a pretty good run as the Cougars' head coach.

I'm just not sure how important all the hop, skip and jumping is, especially if its forced.

"Only that Mendenhall tapped into an important component of his team for the third time this season (Oklahoma, Wyoming and Air Force) and it was impressive." - DH

You fogot to mention the Tulane game. I think they were also pretty fired up for the CSU and UNLV games as well. So I'd give them credit for having fire in their bellies 6 times this year. NOW DO IT TWO MORE TIMES!!! This will be your last 2 chances to play like that in college all you seniors and possibly Harvy Unga! PEDAL TO THE METAL!!!

...which BYU team will show up against the Utes this week. Sure, they will be fired up, but then weren't they against FSU, TCU and New Mexico? It is a safe bet that the Cougs and Utes will be a reflection of their coaches persona this week. Look for a hard fought, in the trenches, smash mouth game on Saturday. Special teams and turnovers will determine this game. Oh, did I forget...preparation by the coaches. Will be great to match the "Whits" of these two great coaches.

Dick writes:

"QB Max Hall caught an errant slap right in his genealogical archives."

Dick, leave that humor in the locker room.

when you have been eliminated from playing for anything meaningful.

lighten up. do you not have any humor? good article.

until you play the Utes this weekend. Then it will only be fun for the Utes D.

I have been looking for a clear explanation of the unsportsman-like conduct call which negated the touchdown (attempting to deceive the defense). Aricle 2B was cited on the telecast (deception associated with a substitution). That explanation seemed somewhat lacking.

I have heard, and found wanting, the explanation that "the offense is always trying to deceive the defense, so it was a bad call". Were Hall's actions interpreted as calling for an additional player from the sidelines? Was the call in fact warranted? Would the call have been the same if Hall pretended to trip over his own feet and fall down prior to the snap rather than address the sideline? Is this simply an example of an official independently legislating?

I personally liked the call. It adds to the character of the game and makes it more interesting for the fans. The alternative - "What happened", "Oh Unga just followed Tonga into the endzone, again."

The short yardage play I have yet to see is the QB lining up under center. Center snaps through the QB's legs to an RB. QB dives through the A gap, RB takes the B gap.

Looking forward to Saturday.

i havent had as much fun watching this team since oklahoma. this kind of play is why i became a fan as a kid.

Max Hall must be given his do for playing like Ty Detmer this week, who cares about the record. a firey performance to lead his team in victory.

when he leads this team to a win over Utah and a bowl win, Bronco's words might be prophetic..."he'll be appreciated more when he's gone"

Ute fans go read your own articles.

Can ANYONE explain the "deception" call?

what a Utah comment. I guess that is how Utah played because they have nothing to play for.