Cougars and Aztecs Battle in San Diego

Before yesterday's game against the San Diego Aztecs, BYU fans were eager to know how their team would stand against a good team. They had beaten five teams, but all currently have losing records. They suffered lopsided losses to a Utah State team that has two wins, and an Air Force team that is looking pretty average. They are on a three game winning streak, but those wins have come against: lowly New Mexico, a Division II Umass school that took them to the wire, and an "OK" UNLV team. This was the first real test for the cougars.

Many predicted that the athletes and the explosive passing Aztec offense would exploit and pick apart the cougars. That proved true early on as the Aztecs drove the length of the field easily. Their quarterback picked apart the cougar's zone defense, and it looked like they might score, but the cougars picked off a pass in the corner of the endzone to end the drive.

The cougars would have a rough time moving the ball throughout the first half, and that would give the Aztecs great field possession. Their defense would keep them in the game with two early interceptions. Both teams would struggle with turnovers, but San Diego State would score first off of a 27 yard TD pass early in the second quarter.

BYU would then throw an interception on their next possession to give the Aztecs the ball in their own territory. The BYU defense stepped up and held the Aztecs to a field goal. The cougars were very fortunate to hold the Aztecs to three points as it looked as if they would fold under the pressure.

On the next possession, BYU running back Harvey Unga would fumble to give the Aztecs great field possession again from the twenty yard line. The BYU defense had it's backs against the wall already down 10-0. San Diego State had all of the momentum going their way, yet the cougar defense would step up. They stopped the Aztecs from converting a fourth down attempt.

The Aztecs would take their 10-0 lead into halftime.

The second half was a different story. Midway through the third quarter, BYU's Michael Reed was set to receive a punt from his own thirty yardline. The cougars sent everyone to block the punt. That created more room for Reed who took the punt down the sideline to the endzone for a 70 return. BYU cut the lead to three.

After forcing the Aztecs to punt again, BYU's Austin Collie found the sideline for a 60 yard sprint to give the cougars a 14-10 lead. BYU changed the complexion of the game, or so it seemed. The Aztecs would take the kickoff 90 yards for the score and the lead. BYU had a fight on their hands.

The cougars next drive was long and very successful. Max Hall found an opening in the corner of the endzone and he sprinted his way six yards for another cougar rushing touchdown. That was the first long and sustained drive the cougars had in the game. They regained the lead 21-17 early in the fourth quarter.

The Aztecs wanted to show that their last kickoff return was not a fluke as they took the next kick another 85 yards for the score. BYU had kicked the ball to the opposite side of the field to mix things up, yet the athleticism of the Aztecs showed as they returned the second kickoff in a row for a touchdown.

BYU and SDSU both traded punts before BYU would get the ball back at their own 15 yardline. The cougars faced another challenge. Their backs were against the wall again with a minute and a half to play, and they were down 24-21. The cougars had fought so hard to the end unlike their previous two losses. Collie took the snap and ran the option to the left side. He pitched the ball as he was pressured. His pitch was behind Unga who snatched it up. It looked as if he may still get a few yards as he headed for the sideline, but his burst extra burst put him ahead of all the Aztecs. He took the pitch 85 yards in for the score! BYU took the lead again 28-24.

The Aztecs moved the ball into cougar territory and showed that they were going to have a chance at the end. BYU's Jan Jorgenson hit the Aztec Qb and knocked him out of the game. Their backup Qb continued to move the ball down to the BYU twenty yardline. With seconds to go it looked like SDSU would throw a desperation pass into the endzone, but BYU's defense would get to the quarterback first.

BYU hung on to beat SDSU. Their defense forced five interceptions to give their offense enough chances to win the game! The vaulted SDSU passing attack only had 199 yards. They had under 60 yards rushing as well. The cougars had 260 yards rushing and only 22 yards passing.

The cougars will square off against Colorado State (4-4) next week.

BYU moves now to 6-2, while SDSU drops to 6-2.

BYU Holds Off Umass

BYU hangs on to beat Umass 38-30 in a closer than expected ball game. Throughout this season, we haven't been able to predict who this BYU football team will become. They have won games we thou8ght they were going to lose and then were beaten handily in games they should have won.

The cougars dominated in the 1st quarter. Max Hall had a big run to set up BYU's first touchdown of the game. BYU nearly broke the game open when they had the ball in Umass territory, but the Minutemen forced them to punt. On the next play, Umass scored on an 81 yard run to cut thei deficit to seven.

BYU looked to break things open again on the next kickoff. Austin Collie raced 90 yards into the endone to push the lead back to 14 points.

Both teams traded possessions before Max Hall was picked off. Umass defensive back Carlos Royal picked off the pass and returned it 50 yards for the score. Umass would score again in the second quarter with what seemed to be the game tying touchdown, but on the ensuing extra point, BYU blocked the kick to salvage their lead. They led 28-27.

BYU special teams came up big again on the kickoff. Michael Reid had a big return for 90 yards and another touchdown.

BYU held a 35-27 advantage late in the fourth quarter. They held the Minutemen to a field goal as they were driving deep in cougar territory. BYU then added a field goal of their own.

The cougars intercepted a pass at midfield, but would still give Umass one final chance. Umass crossed midfield and completed a pass near the 30 yardline, but they ran out of time.

BYU's offense was outgained 307-230. They moved the ball well early in the game, but struggled as Umass adjusted and gained momentum after the pick-six.

The cougar's special teams came up big with two kick returns for touchdowns, and a blocked extra point.

The cougars now have four wins on the season compared with two losses. They face UNLV next week. UNLV has played as good or better than any of the opponents BYU has faced, so they should pose a stiff challenge for the cougars.