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2008 BYU Cougars football team

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2008 BYU Cougars football
Las Vegas Bowl, L 21–31 vs. Arizona
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 21
APNo. 25
Record10–3 (6–2 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRobert Anae (4th season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorJaime Hill (1st season)
Base defense3–4[1]
CaptainTravis Bright
Max Hall
Jan Jorgensen
David Nixon
Home stadiumLaVell Edwards Stadium
Seasons
← 2007
2009 →
2008 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 Utah $   8 – 0     13 – 0  
No. 7 TCU   7 – 1     11 – 2  
No. 25 BYU   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Air Force   5 – 3     8 – 5  
Colorado State   4 – 4     7 – 6  
UNLV   2 – 6     5 – 7  
New Mexico   2 – 6     4 – 8  
Wyoming   1 – 7     4 – 8  
San Diego State   1 – 7     2 – 10  
  • $ – Conference champion and BCS representative as top non-AQ school to meet automatic qualification criteria
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2008 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

Prior to the 2008 season, BYU had won consecutive Mountain West Conference (MWC) championship titles without losing a conference game. It had also finished with an 11-2 overall record for consecutive seasons. The Cougars have won four MWC championships since the league began in 1999 (Co-Champions with CSU and Utah in 1999, and sole Champions in 2001, 2006 and 2007), and 23 conference titles overall. BYU ended last season ranked 14th in the nation in the major polls, one of its best finishes in the last two decades.

BYU was selected to win the MWC according to the conference's annual media poll.[2]

The Cougars made their fourth consecutive post-season appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing to the Arizona Wildcats Football 31-21. BYU beat the Oregon Ducks in 2006 and the UCLA Bruins in 2007. BYU lost to the California Golden Bears in the 2005 game.

BYU played its home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium, named after its former coach, LaVell Edwards.

Pre-season

[edit]

Spring Practice started March 17 and ended April 12 with the annual Blue/White game.[3]

Fall camp began on August 1 with actual practices starting on August 4. Camp ended August 20 with a final scrimmage. Preparation for the first game began on August 22.

BYU begins the season ranked #17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and #16 in the AP Poll.

David Nixon and Jan Jorgensen for the defense and Max Hall and Travis Bright for the offense were chosen by their teammates as captains for the 2008 season.[4]

Rankings

[edit]
See also: 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP16151814118991817171616212025
Coaches17151511117881717161414191821
HarrisNot released99817151614141817Not released
BCSNot released21201517141818Not released

Preseason rankings

[edit]

In the pre-season, the Cougars were ranked #19[5] and then later #14[6] by ESPN's Mark Schlabach, #12 by Rivals.com David Fox and Steve Megargee,[7] #22 by College Football News,[8] #17 by Stewart Mandel of CNN's SI.com (Sports Illustrated),[9] #12 by Lindy's,[10] #14 by CBS Sportsline,[11] #13 by Tony Barnhart (a.k.a. "Mr. College Football") of the Atlanta Constitution-Journal,[12] #14 by Athlon Sports,[13] #17 by Phil Steele,[14] #16 by CBS College Sport's Adam Caparell,[15] and #10 by New York Times' Paul Myerberg.[16] They started the season ranked 17th in the Coaches Poll[17] (with 547 votes), and ranked 16th in the AP Poll (with 590 votes).[18]

MountainWest Sports Network

[edit]

Early in 2008, DirecTV agreed to distribute the MountainWest Sports Network (The mtn.) nationally on its satellite system beginning August 27, 2008 on channel 616. National satellite distribution was the MWC's primary media goal for the previous two years. The mtn. was the first regional sports network dedicated solely to a college conference's sports. In 2004, CSTV (now called CBS Sports Network) was originally designated as the channel for carrying MWC sports, but it was later announced that The mtn., would carry primarily coverage of the MWC. Over time The mtn. was rolled out in various cable markets. On February 21, 2008, San Diego State University Athletic Director, Jeff Schemmel, stated in a media conference that a deal had been struck to broadcast the mtn on DirecTV beginning in August. Spokesmen for the MWC, the mtn. and DirecTV confirmed this the following day. The mtn. will be available on DirecTV as a regular channel in each market in the MWC footprint. In other areas, it will be available on DirecTV's Sports Pack package. Although the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex is within the Mountain West Conference footprint with TCU's presence in Fort-Worth, Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable companies are the only cable companies in the Mountain West Conference footprint who have failed to pick up The mtn on their channel line-up.

Schedule

[edit]

[19][20]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 304:00 pmNo. 3 (FCS) Northern Iowa*No. 16
The mtn.W 41–1764,108
September 61:00 pmat Washington*No. 15
FSNW 28–2764,611
September 131:30 pmUCLA*No. 18
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, Utah
VersusW 59–064,153
September 203:00 pmWyomingNo. 14
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, Utah
The mtn.W 44–064,059
October 36:00 pmat Utah State*No. 8
BYUtvW 34–1423,101
October 114:00 pmNew MexicodaggerNo. 9
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, Utah
The mtn.W 21–364,105
October 166:00 pmat TCUNo. 9
VersusL 7–3236,180
October 2512:00 pmUNLVNo. 18
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, Utah
The mtn.W 42–3564,081
November 14:00 pmat Colorado StateNo. 17
The mtn.W 45–4220,222
November 812:00 pmSan Diego StateNo. 17
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, Utah
The mtn.W 41–1264,107
November 151:30 pmat Air ForceNo. 16
CBSCSW 38–2442,177
November 224:00 pmat No. 8 UtahNo. 16
The mtn./CBSCSL 24–4846,488
December 206:00 pmvs. Arizona*No. 17
ESPNL 21–3140,047
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Mountain time

Game summaries

[edit]

Northern Iowa

[edit]
See also: Northern Iowa Panthers football and 2008 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
1 234Total
#3 (FCS) Northern Iowa Panthers 3 0140 17
• #16/17 BYU Cougars 14 13014 41
Scoring summary
18:56BYUMichael Reed 27-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
15:31UNIBilly Hallgreen 33-yard field goalBYU 7-3
11:25BYUHarvey Unga 19-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-3
24:50BYUHarvey Unga 2-yard run (kick blocked)BYU 20-3
20:17BYUHarvey Unga 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 27-3
312:12UNIJosh Collins 76-yard pass from Victor Williams (Billy Hallgreen kick)BYU 27-10
35:59UNIMark Huygens fumble recovery in the end zone (Billy Hallgreen kick)BYU 27-17
49:02BYUMax Hall 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 34-17
47:30BYUBryan Kariya 14-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 41-17

This was BYU's first-ever game against the University of Northern Iowa Panthers from the Division I FCS. In recent years the Panthers have proven to be a perennial top program in FCS football. Last year Northern Iowa (UNI) was ranked No. 1 in the FCS until a loss to Delaware in the FCS playoffs. UNI was ranked #3 in the 2008 FCS preseason poll. The Panthers agreed to play BYU at the last minute after Nevada backed out of its agreement to play BYU in 2008. Northern Iowa ended the 2007 season with a considerably stronger Sagarin rating than Nevada and finished #4 in the FCS.[21]

In a very physical game from both teams, the Cougars jumped out to a wide early lead of 27-3 at the half. The Panthers could not stop the Cougar offense from driving the field. Despite an ugly, scoreless, third quarter for BYU, which included four fumbles, the Cougars pulled away again in the fourth quarter to defeat the Panthers 41-17 in front of a sold-out crowd in Provo. BYU's Dennis Pitta caught eleven passes for 213 yards and Max Hall threw with an 83% completion for 486 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Pitta lead the nation in receiving yards and Max was second in the nation for passing yards with a 198.6 rating. On the defensive end, junior college transfer Coleby Clawson made his hard hitting debut, knocking out UNI's quarterback Pat Grace three times. Justin Sorensen put all seven kickoffs into the end zone.

With the exception of three big plays, UNI's offense struggled against BYU's defense, but UNI capitalized on the turnovers in the third quarter to earn both of its touchdowns. UNI quarterback, Pat Grace, broke through for a 69-yard gain that resulted in a field goal. The play after recovering a BYU fumble, UNI ran a reverse with wide receiver, Victor Williams, making a 76-yard touchdown pass. UNI's final score came on a blind-side, forced fumble against Max Hall in the end zone.

David Tafuna carried the team flag onto the field, and LaVell Edwards carried the alumni flag on to the field.

Washington

[edit]
1 234Total
• #15/15 BYU Cougars 7 777 28
Washington Huskies 7 776 27
Scoring summary
19:38BYUAustin Collie 38-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
13:24UWJake Locker 14-yard run (Ryan Perkins kick)TIED 7-7
210:38UWJermaine Kearse 48-yard pass from Jake Locker (Ryan Perkins kick)UW 14-7
24:18BYUAndrew George 2-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 14-14
37:38UWLuke Kravitz 1-yard run (Ryan Perkins kick)UW 21-14
34:17BYUFui Vakapuna 11-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 21-21
43:31BYUDennis Pitta 15-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 28-21
40:02UWJake Locker 2-yard run (kick blocked)BYU 28-27

BYU and Washington met for the seventh time. This was BYU's first win in a non-conference road game since 2002.[22] The last meeting with the Huskies was in 1999, when BYU won in Provo 35-28.[23] Washington marred what would have been a perfect season for BYU in 1996. BYU went on to finish #5 in the country with a 14-1 record, winning 13 regular season games, an NCAA record that still stands.

The Cougars had to contain the Huskies' athletic quarterback, Jake Locker, who ran for nearly 1,000 yards last season. BYU held Locker below his rushing average to 62 yards on 18 attempts. Locker completed only 17 of his 32 passes for 204 yards. Washington had 337 yards of total offense to BYU's 475.

BYU only punted twice in the game. After driving the length of the field again, BYU looked to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when Harvey Unga, who rushed for 136 yards in the game, fumbled the ball at the goal line which was recovered by Washington.

The Cougars won the game by blocking a Washington PAT attempt in the fourth quarter.[24] With 2 seconds left in regulation, the 35-yard extra-point kick by Huskies' Ryan Perkins was blocked by Jan Jorgensen. The PAT was moved back 15 yards on an unsportsmanlike penalty on Locker when he tossed the ball in the air after running the ball in for a touchdown. Two of the last three games BYU has played, they won the game by blocking a last second kick.

Max Hall was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week.[25] Hall hit 31 of 40 pass attempts for 338 yards passing and three touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to tight end Dennis Pitta with 3:31 left.

Jan Jorgensen's game winning block was the ESPN Pontiac Game Changing Performance for the week.[26]

Washington Leads series 4-3

UCLA

[edit]
See also: 2008 UCLA Bruins football team
1 234Total
UCLA Bruins 0 000 0
• #18/15 BYU Cougars 7 35170 59
  • Date: September 13
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
  • Game start: 1:37 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:02
  • Game attendance: 64,153
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), clear sunny, wind S 10 mph (16 km/h)
  • Referee: Rich Kollen
  • TV announcers (VS.): Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker, Tim Neverett
Scoring summary
16:02BYUDennis Pitta 10-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
214:30BYUAustin Collie 2-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-0
212:59BYUAustin Collie 37-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 21-0
210:07BYUMichael Reed 12-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 28-0
29:42BYUHarvey Unga 15-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 35-0
20:14BYUDennis Pitta 2-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 42-0
37:43BYUHarvey Unga 6-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 49-0
33:08BYUMitch Payne 24-yard field goalBYU 52-0
30:39BYUWayne Latu 13-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 59-0

UCLA offensive coordinator, Norm Chow (former OC at BYU), and UCLA quarterback, Ben Olson (former BYU player) came back to Provo for the 10th meeting between the Bruins and BYU. The teams faced off twice during the 2007 season. The Cougars defeated UCLA in the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl after the Bruins won a close regular-season meeting.[27] Ben Olson did not play due to injuries.

Kellen Fowler carried the team flag onto the field, and Vai Sikahema carried the alumni flag on to the field.

BYU scored first on a Max Hall pass to Dennis Pitta for 10 yards for a touchdown; Hall then passed to Austin Collie for another score (2 yards). The Cougars recovered a fumble and scored on the next play to take a 21-0 lead. After another Bruins fumble, Hall passed to Michael Reed for another touchdown. Another Bruins fumble gave Hall his 5th pass touchdown in the first half. Hall's 6th touchdown pass was thrown to Pitta.

In the second half, Max Hall passed to Harvey Unga for a 6-yard touchdown, Mitch Payne kicked a 24-yard field goal and Wayne Latu rushed for a 13-yard touchdown to give BYU the 59-0 win. UCLA's worst loss in nearly 80 years.

Given the injuries to BYU's linebackers since fall camp through the first two games, BYU added a nickel package to its defense that proved to be effective.

So far BYU is 16-18 for scoring in the "Blue Zone" including 15 for touchdowns and its first field goal attempt for the season in the UCLA game. BYU's 2 failures were both fumbles, one at the goal line against Washington that rolled in for a touchback.

BYU has no 100-yard rushers against it, and leads the nation in third down conversions to this point.

For the second week in a row, Max Hall was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Football Foundation's Offensive Player of the Week.[28] Hall broke the BYU record of passing touchdowns during a half with 6 and tied the BYU record for passing touchdowns at 7.

This was the worst loss the Bruins endured since a 76-0 defeat in the very first UCLA–USC rivalry football game in 1929.[29]

UCLA Leads series 7-3

Wyoming

[edit]
See also: 2008 Wyoming Cowboys football team
1 234Total
Wyoming Cowboys 0 000 0
• #14/11 BYU Cougars 7 20143 44
  • Date: September 20
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
  • Game start: 1:06 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:15
  • Game attendance: 64,059
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), mostly sunny
  • Referee: Frank White
  • TV announcers (mtn.): James Bates, Todd Christensen, Sammy Linebaugh
Scoring summary
111:10BYUScott Johnson 64-yard fumble return (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
26:08BYUHarvey Unga 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-0
24:03BYUAustin Collie 62-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 21-0
20:31BYUAustin Collie 7-yard pass from Max Hall (kick failed)BYU 27-0
311:45BYUHarvey Unga 11-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 34-0
38:25BYUDavid Nixon 19-yard interception return (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 41-0
46:51BYUJustin Sorensen 31-yard field goalBYU 44-0

This was the 73rd game between Wyoming and BYU. The Cougars have won their last five games against Wyoming by an average of almost 24 points.[30]

BYU allowed Wyoming's offense to move early, but on the Cowboys' first drive the Cougar defense picked up a dropped lateral pass, returning it for six points. BYU's offense started slow, but ended up scoring frequently in the second quarter. The Cougar defense stepped up and held Wyoming to zero points in all four quarters, leading to the second straight shutout, the first consecutive shutout in twenty three years.

David Oswald carried the team flag onto the field, and Ty Detmer carried the alumni flag on to the field. David Nixon, who returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown, was honored as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week. C.J. Santiago was named as the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week. Santiago had seven punts for an average of 46.7 yards per kick, including a season high punt for 61 yards. His first three punts were all downed inside the Wyoming 20-yard line: the first at the 11, the second at the 5 and the third at the 4-yard line.

BYU Leads series 40-30-3

Utah State

[edit]
1 234Total
• #8/7 BYU Cougars 24 0100 34
Utah State Aggies 0 0014 14
Scoring summary
111:51BYUAustin Collie 76-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
18:09BYUBrando Bradley 38-yard fumble return (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-0
11:46BYUMitch Payne 45-yard field goalBYU 17-0
11:23BYUHarvey Unga 11-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 24-0
311:21BYUMitch Payne 21-yard field goalBYU 27-0
31:26BYUAustin Collie 12-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 34-0
413:47USURobert Turbin 40-yard run (Peter Caldwell kick)BYU 34-7
49:22USUTarren Lloyd 5-yard pass from Diondre Borel (Peter Caldwell kick)BYU 34-14

This was the 78th game between the Utah State Aggies and BYU. The annual winner of this interstate contest is awarded The Old Wagon Wheel. The Aggies have not beaten BYU since 1993. BYU defeated Utah State 38-0 in their last meeting in 2006.[31]

The Cougars started fast in the first quarter with a 76-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, a field goal, and then an interception resulting in another touchdown. Hall completed 23 of 47 passes for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Unga rushed 21 times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Collie added 8 receptions for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

BYU was plagued with penalties particularly in the last quarter. They had 12 penalties for 123 yards with several personal fouls including an unnecessary roughness penalty by Max Hall.

The Aggie's mobile quarterback, Diondre Borel, and speedy running back, Robert Turbin, gave the Cougars some trouble rushing for a combined 117 yards including a 40-yard break-away run for a touchdown by Turbin early in the fourth quarter.

BYU Leads series 42-33-3

New Mexico

[edit]
1 234Total
New Mexico Lobos 0 300 3
• #9/8 BYU Cougars 0 777 21
  • Date: October 11
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
  • Game start: 4:06 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 2:36
  • Game attendance: 64,105
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), cloudy
  • Referee: Pete Gautreau
  • TV announcers (mtn.): Tim Neverett, Blaine Fowler, Sammy Linebaugh
Scoring summary
211:40UNMJames Aho 27-yard field goalUNM 3-0
26:34BYUAndrew George 1-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-3
36:08BYUAndrew George 11-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-3
43:05BYUAustin Collie 8-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 21-3

This was the 58th game between New Mexico and BYU. The Cougars have won four games in a row against the Lobos.[32]

BYU entertained a 3-3 New Mexico squad at the midway point of the season as chilly October afternoon air settled in Provo. The Cougars held a 15-game winning streak and survived their lowest-scoring game thus far in 2008 to remain unbeaten on homecoming.[33] New Mexico opened the scoring with a short field goal early in the second quarter after the teams traded four punts. Austin Collie sparked the BYU offense with a 58-yard reception on a streak down the sideline and Max Hall found tight end Andrew George in the back of the end zone to take a 7-3 lead. Kicker Justin Sorensen missed a 50-yard field goal before halftime, but Max Hall and George linked up for another score again in the third quarter to extend the lead to 14-3. The Lobos looked to score with 7:14 left in the game to trim the lead, but an illegal block wiped out the touchdown and the drive stalled. The Cougars responded with a 12-play 76-yard drive ending with an 8-yard scoring reception by Collie to seal the game, 21-3. Hall threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while Collie finished with nine receptions for 155 yards and a score.[34]

BYU Leads series 43-14-1

TCU

[edit]
1 234Total
#9/8 BYU Cougars 0 070 7
• #27/24 TCU Horned Frogs 14 990 32
  • Date: October 16
  • Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Ft. Worth, TX
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 36,180
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), partly cloudy, wind ENE 15 mph (24 km/h)
  • Referee: Terry Leyden
  • TV announcers (VS.): Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker, Tim Neverett
Scoring summary
112:10TCUJimmy Young 25-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Ross Evans kick)TCU 7-0
16:08TCUJeremy Kerley 16-yard run (Ross Evans kick)TCU 14-0
214:45TCURoss Evans 21-yard field goalTCU 17-0
21:06TCUWalter Bryant 12-yard pass from Andy Dalton (kick failed)TCU 23-0
311:41TCURoss Evans 31-yard field goalTCU 26-0
34:26BYUMax Hall 2-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)TCU 26-7
30:16TCUJoseph Turner 5-yard run (kick failed)TCU 32-7

This was the 8th game between TCU and BYU, played on a Thursday night for the third straight year.[35]

This was the first loss for the BYU Football program since the 2007 setback against Tulsa. TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson had said this was a game his program was pointing towards since January of that year.[36] BYU trails the series 5-6

UNLV

[edit]
1 234Total
UNLV Rebels 7 1477 35
• #18/17 BYU Cougars 14 7714 42
  • Date: October 25
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
  • Game start: 12:06 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:01
  • Game attendance: 64,081
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), clear, No wind
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (mtn.): James Bates, Todd Christensen, Sammy Linebaugh
Scoring summary
112:25BYUAndrew George 8-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
16:33UNLVFrank Summers 6-yard run (Kyle Watson kick)TIED 7-7
11:34BYUO'Neill Chambers 20-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-7
213:18UNLVMike Clausen 1-yard run (Kyle Watson kick)TIED 14-14
27:18BYUHarvey Unga 2-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 21-14
24:51UNLVFrank Summers 1-yard run (Kyle Watson kick)TIED 21-21
37:52BYUFui Vakapuna 1-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 28-21
32:46UNLVMike Clausen 2-yard run (Kyle Watson kick)TIED 28-28
414:11BYUMitch Payne 26-yard field goalBYU 31-28
48:36BYUMitch Payne 39-yard field goalBYU 34-28
46:49UNLVRyan Wolfe 15-yard pass from Omar Clayton (Kyle Watson kick)UNLV 35-34
41:46BYUDennis Pitta 6-yard pass from Max Hall (Harvey Unga pass from Max Hall)BYU 42-35

This was the 16th game between UNLV and BYU.[37]

BYU Leads series 13-3

Colorado State

[edit]
1 234Total
• #17/17 BYU Cougars 7 14321 45
Colorado State Rams 14 7714 42
  • Date: November 1
  • Location: Hughes Stadium, Ft. Collins, CO
  • Game start: 4:06 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 20,222
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Partly cloudy
  • Referee: Frank White
  • TV announcers (mtn.): James Bates, Todd Christensen, Roger Bailey
Scoring summary
112:58CSUMychal Sisson 20-yard fumble return (Jason Smith kick)CSU 7-0
110:09BYUAustin Collie 58-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 7-7
13:27CSUJohn Mosure 9-yard rush (Jason Mosure kick)CSU 14-7
28:20BYUAustin Collie 15-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 14-14
23:50CSUDion Morton 32-yard pass from Billy Farris (Jason Smith kick)CSU 21-14
20:38BYUAustin Collie 10-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 21-21
36:56CSURashaun Greer 6-yard pass from Billy Farris (Jason Smith kick)CSU 28-21
32:34BYUMitch Payne 30-yard field goalCSU 28-24
413:15BYUDennis Pitta 23-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 31-28
47:20CSUGartre Johnson 7-yard run (Jason Smith kick)CSU 35-31
45:49BYUHarvey Unga 40-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 38-35
41:44CSUDion Morton 55-yard pass from Billy Farris (Jason Smith kick)CSU 42-38
40:22BYUDennis Pitta 17-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 45-42

This was the 67th game between Colorado State and BYU.[38]

BYU Leads series 36-27-3

San Diego State

[edit]
1 234Total
San Diego State Aztecs 0 066 12
• #17/16 BYU Cougars 7 13714 41
  • Date: November 8
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
  • Game start: 12:06 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:03
  • Game attendance: 64,107
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), sunny w/ high clouds, No wind
  • Referee: Bill McCabe
  • TV announcers (mtn.): Rich Cellini, Jon Berger, Sammy Linebaugh
Scoring summary
19:42BYUFui Vakapuna 7-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
28:37BYUMitch Payne 34-yard field goalBYU 10-0
25:19BYUAndrew George 6-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 17-0
20:36BYUMitch Payne 25-yard field goalBYU 20-0
312:55BYUWayne Latu 3-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 27-0
34:18SDSULane Yoshida 49-yard field goalBYU 27-3
31:10SDSULane Yoshida 34-yard field goalBYU 27-6
414:03BYUAustin Collie 61-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 34-6
410:07BYUAustin Collie 9-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 41-6
40:49SDSUDarren Mougey 9-yard pass from Ryan Lindley (kick failed)BYU 41-12

This was the 33rd game between San Diego State and BYU. It was "Senior Day" for BYU, and in honor of the occasion, the field had a different look then usual. The endzones were painted in blue, along with the 50-yard line logo. That too, was filled in with blue.[39][40]

BYU Leads Series 25-7-1

Air Force

[edit]
1 234Total
• #16/14 BYU Cougars 7 3217 38
Air Force Falcons 0 1437 24
Scoring summary
17:41BYUFui Vakapuna 11-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 7-0
213:29BYUMitch Payne 46-yard field goalBYU 10-0
26:44AFAAsher Clark 6-yard run (Ryan Harrison kick)BYU 10-7
21:55AFATodd Newell 1-yard run (Ryan Harrison kick)AFA 14-10
310:58BYUHarvey Unga 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 17-14
39:44BYUHarvey Unga 2-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 24-14
35:15BYUAustin Collie 6-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 31-14
30:56AFARyan Harrison 34-yard field goalBYU 31-17
47:37AFAJared Tew 19-yard run (Ryan Harrison kick)BYU 31-24
44:46BYUAustin Collie 45-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 38-24

This was the 29th game between Air Force and BYU.[41] BYU has won the last 5 games against the Falcons.

BYU Leads series 23-6

Utah

[edit]
1 234Total
#16/14 BYU Cougars 3 1470 24
• #8/7 Utah Utes 10 17021 48
  • Date: November 22
  • Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Game start: 4:10 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:28
  • Game attendance: 46,488
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), Partly cloudy, Winds WSW 7 mph (11 km/h)
  • Referee: Greg Burks
  • TV announcers (mtn.): Rich Cellini, Jon Berger, Blaine Fowler, Sammy Linebaugh, Toby Christensen
Scoring summary
19:48UULouie Sakoda 37-yard field goalUU 3-0
18:27BYUMitch Payne 40-yard field goalTIED 3-3
14:25UUBrent Castell 16-yard pass from Brian Johnson (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 10-3
213:44UUMatt Asiata 5-yard run (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 17-3
210:38BYUHarvey Unga 23-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)UU 17-10
26:26BYUHarvey Unga 2-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)TIED 17-17
21:41UULouie Sakoda 35-yard field goalUU 20-17
20:15UUDavid Reed 32-yard pass from Brian Johnson (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 27-17
36:46BYUMax Hall 11-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)UU 27-24
414:31UUBrent Castell 8-yard pass from Brian Johnson (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 34-24
412:00UUChris Joppru 4-yard pass from Matt Asiata (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 41-24
42:48UUColt Sampson 1-yard pass from Brian Johnson (Louie Sakoda kick)UU 48-24

This is an annual rivalry game unofficially dubbed "Holy War." Along with Utah State, these teams also compete annually for the "Beehive Boot." This game is typically the most anticipated of the season for BYU and its fans. In November 2005, The Wall Street Journal ranked the BYU–Utah football rivalry as the fourth-best college football rivalry game in the country.[42] This will be the 84th game between the teams dating back to 1922. Utah dominated the series 34-2-4 through 1964. Since that time BYU has led the series 28-16. The Cougars were throttled in a 48-24 defeat against the Utes. It was the largest margin of victory since 2004 when the Cougars lost to the Utes 52-21. The rivalry is known for close, exciting finishes. Since 1993, the margin of victory has been seven points or less in all but three games.[43] At stake is the MWC championship, Utah's winning streak (longest in the nation), and a BCS Bowl berth.

Utah leads Series 53-33-4

Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona

[edit]
Main article: 2008 Las Vegas Bowl
1 234Total
#20/18 BYU Cougars 0 777 21
• Arizona Wildcats 7 3147 31
Scoring summary
16:23UANic Grigsby 1-yard run (Jason Bondzio kick)UA 7-0
29:21UAJason Bondzio 31-yard field goalUA 10-0
26:50BYUHarvey Unga 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)UA 10-7
311:21BYUAndrew George 1-yard pass from Max Hall (Mitch Payne kick)BYU 14-10
37:07UADelashaun Dean 37-yard pass from Willie Tuitama (Jason Bondzio kick)UA 17-14
30:25UAChris Gronkowski 24-yard pass from Willie Tuitama (Jason Bondzio kick)UA 24-14
46:09UAWillie Tuitama 6-yard run (Jason Bondzio kick)UA 31-14
43:38UAMax Hall 1-yard run (Mitch Payne kick)UA 31-21

BYU became bowl eligible by finishing the season with a strong 10-2 record. On December 7, the Cougars were officially invited to the Las Vegas Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. On December 20, 2008, BYU played the Arizona Wildcats who finished fifth in the Pac-10 conference with a 7-5 record. The Cougars lost the game, 31-21, to finish the season with a 10-3 record.

Coaching and player changes

[edit]

Jaime Hill was promoted to defensive coordinator on January 10.[44] Prior to this, Bronco Mendenhall was acting as both head coach and defensive coordinator. Mendenhall has retained responsibility for play-calling during games.

Vic So'oto moved from tight end to outside linebacker as a starter.[45] Daniel Sorensen, a safety, also moved to outside linebacker.[46]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Bronco Mendenhall, Head Coach
Name Position Year at BYU Alma mater (Year)
Bronco Mendenhall Head coach 6th
2003–present		 Oregon State (1987)
Lance Reynolds Assistant head coach/
Running backs		 26th
1983–present		 BYU (1980)
Robert Anae Offensive coordinator/
Inside receivers		 4th
2005–present		 BYU (1986)
Jaime Hill Defensive coordinator/
Defensive backs		 3rd
2006–present		 San Francisco State University (1986)
Brandon Doman Quarterbacks 4th
2005–present		 BYU (2002)
Patrick Higgins Outside receivers/
Special teams		 4th
2005–present		 William Penn University (1986)
Barry Lamb Outside linebackers/
Safeties		 16th
1994–present		 Oregon (1978)
Paul Tidwell Inside linebackers 8th
2001–present		 Southern Utah University (1979)
Mark Weber Offensive line 2nd
2007		 Cal Lutheran (1980)
Steve Kaufusi Defensive line 7th
2002–present		 BYU (1994)
Jay Omer Strength and conditioning 8th
2001–present		 Southern Utah University (1972)
Kelly Bills Graduate assistant 1st
2008		 BYU (current)
Nick Howell Graduate assistant 1st
2008		 BYU (current)

Players

[edit]

The 14 returning starters from last season are Max Hall (quarterback), Harvey Unga (tail back), Austin Collie and Michael Reed (wide receivers), Dennis Pitta (tight end), Travis Bright and Ray Feinga (offensive guards), Dallas Reynolds and David Oswald (offensive tackles), Jan Jorgensen and Ian Dulan (defensive ends), Russell Tialavea (nose tackle), David Nixon (linebacker), and Kellen Fowler (free safety). Bryce Mahuika also returns as a slot back and kick holder. Experienced lettermen starting this year include: Fui Vakapuna (fullback), Matt Bauman, Shawn Doman, and Coleby Clawson (linebackers), Brandon Howard (field corner), and David Tafuna (strong safety).

Statistical Leaders

[edit]

[1] Archived 2008-08-07 at the Wayback Machine As of November 15, 2008

Passing

[edit]
Passing
Player COMP ATT Pct. YDS TD INT QB Rating
Max Hall 279 390 71.5% 3,424 34 8 169.95

Rushing

[edit]
Rushing
Player ATT YDS YPC TD
Harvey Unga 208 945 4.5 8
Fui Vakapuna 49 225 4.6 3
Austin Collie 7 60 8.6 0
Max Hall 48 57 1.2 2
Wayne Latu 14 51 3.6 2
J.J. DiLuigi 13 48 3.7 0
Bryan Kariya 8 36 4.4 1

Receiving

[edit]
Receiving
Player REC YDS YPC TD
Austin Collie 85 1,315 15.5 15
Dennis Pitta 76 992 13.1 6
Michael Reed 35 414 11.8 2
Harvey Unga 38 298 7.8 4
Andrew George 21 204 9.7 5

Defense

[edit]
Tackles & Interceptions
Player Solo Asst Total TFL Sacks QBH Int BrUp FF FR Blkk
Matt Bauman 39 50 89 8.5 2 1 - 1 1 1 -
David Nixon 37 40 77 10.5 1 5 3 4 2 1 1
Kellen Fowler 43 22 65 - - - - 2 - 1 -
Scott Johnson 27 30 57 2 - - - 5 1 1 -
Shawn Doman 17 34 51 1 - 1 - 3 1 2 -
Jan Jorgensen 20 29 49 7.5 5 11 - 1 2 1 1
David Tafuna 27 21 48 - - - 1 2 - - -
Coleby Clawson 23 23 46 10 4 3 - 2 - 3 -
Matt Ah You 16 28 44 .5 - - - 1 - 1 -
Brandon Howard 15 17 32 - - - 1 2 - - -
Brett Denney 19 11 30 7.5 1 4 - 1 - 3 -
Brandon Bradley 24 4 28 - - - - 2 - 1 -
Andrew Rich 12 12 24 - - - 1 1 1 1 -
Matt Putnam 14 9 23 3 2 2 1 3 - - -
Ian Dulan 7 11 18 4 3 4 - - - 1 -
Russell Tialavea 7 9 16 2.5 - - - 2 - - 1

Injuries and Suspensions

[edit]

Russell Tialavea (nose tackle) and David Tafuna (strong safety) are recovered from their injuries suffered during the 2007 preseason. Both Travis Bright (right guard) and Garret Reden (reserve left guard) have recovered from their broken leg injuries. Bright holds the title of the team's strongest man aka Strong Man On Campus (SMOC): he holds the football team's school record for bench press (540 pounds) from his workout this summer, and the team record for the hang clean lift (434 pounds).[47]

Terrance Hooks, a reserve inside linebacker, tore his patella tendon during Spring practice and underwent surgery the following day.[48] He has missed most of the 2008 season.

In late spring, senior fullback Manase Tonga was ruled to be academically ineligible for the 2008 season, and was suspended from school. Tonga may re-apply for admission in October for the 2009 Winter Semester.[49]

Just prior to Fall Camp Grant Nelson, a backup for outside linebacker behind Vic So'oto, had two surgeries related to kidney problems and will miss the 2008 season. Austin Collie, starting wide receiver, had limited participation in Fall Camp while recovering from a stress facture in his lower leg. Matt Bauman, starting inside linebacker, missed the beginning of camp while he recovered from a foot injury suffered in a scooter accident.

Projected starting center, Tom Sorensen, had limited participation in camp with a shoulder problem. After attempting a moderate treatment, he opted for surgery and will miss 4 to 6 weeks to recover.

Dan Van Sweden, reserve inside linebacker, broke his leg during camp and will be out 8 to 10 weeks.

In the third week of camp, Kelly Bills, reserve fullback, quit as a player after suffering his fourth concussion, but was enthused to stay on as a graduate assistant for the team.

Starting fullback, Fui Vakapuna, missed the first game against Northern Iowa due to an academic issue which he resolved that week.

Vic So'oto, starting outside linebacker, broke his foot in the first half in the game against Washington and is expected to be out for about 5 to 8 weeks.

Michael Reed, starting wide receiver, injured his knee in the Wyoming game and was out for 3 weeks before returning for the New Mexico game.

G. Pittman became academically ineligible under team rules about mid-season and chose to transfer to Washington State.

Scott Johnson suffered an unlikely double groin tear in the Colorado State game and was out for the rest of the season.

Players' backgrounds

[edit]

Because BYU is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), many of the team members are Latter-day Saints (LDS) commonly referred to as Mormons. Because of this religious and cultural affiliation, many of the team members have served a two-year proselyting mission (often in a foreign country, speaking the native language), are married, and sometimes have children. Because of missions the average age of the team is often slightly higher than other college football teams. The effect of a mission is believed to be both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is an advantage in that the players can be either more physically developed, or more intellectually or emotionally mature. It is a disadvantage in that the player often returns from the mission grossly under-conditioned and out of practice. A player often redshirts his first year back from his mission.

Because of the long-standing ties of the LDS Church in Polynesia, many football players are also Polynesian. Bryce Mahuika, for example, is Māori, and he introduced the tradition of the team performing the Haka in 2005.

Of the players participating in 2008 fall Camp, 60 served a two-year mission and 42 speak a second language. Sixteen players speak Spanish, twelve speak Tongan, eight speak Portuguese, two speak German, and one each speaks Mandarin Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, and Tagalog. There are 27 married players. The most recent newlywed, Dennis Pitta, married quarterback Max Hall's sister-in-law.[50]

Roster

[edit]
[2] Archived 2008-10-16 at the Wayback Machine
Edit

Wide receivers

Fullbacks

Offensive linemen

Punters/kickers

  • 18 Justin Sorensen† – freshman
  • 26 C.J. Santiago†† – senior
  • 38 Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Mitch Payne†† – Redshirt sophomore
  

Tight ends

Quarterbacks

Tailbacks

Defensive line

(†)† (Returning) starter at position
* Injured
** Suspended
*** Transferred

 

Linebackers

Cornerbacks

Safeties

Defensive backs

  • 7 Garett Nicholson – freshman
  • 12 Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Brannon Brooks – Redshirt freshman
  • 18 Travis Uale – freshman
  • 19 Cameron Comer – freshman
  • 19 Rex Morgan – freshman
  • 24 Archived 2008-08-15 at the Wayback Machine Steven Thomas – Redshirt freshman
  • 25 Archived 2007-10-10 at the Wayback Machine Gary Nagy – Redshirt freshman
  • 26 Ryan Love – freshman
  • 29 Tana Uyema – freshman
  • 30 Blake Morgan – freshman
  • 31 Jameson Frazier – freshman
  • 31 Byron Putnam – freshman

Depth chart

[edit]
Defensive Starters
[3]
FS
Kellen Fowler
Andrew Rich
WLB BLB MLB SLB
Coleby Clawson Shawn Doman Matt Bauman David Nixon
Michael Alisa Matt Ah You Iona Pritchard Daniel Sorensen
KAT/SS
David Tafuna
Shiloah Te'o
BCB
Brandon Bradley
Andrew Rich
LE NT RE
Brett Denney Russell Tialavea Jan Jorgenson
Matt Putnam Ian Dulan Matt Putnam
FCB
Brandon Howard
Gary Nagy
Offensive Starters
SE/XR
Michael Reed
O'Neill Chambers
LT LG C RG RT
Matt Reynolds Ray Feinga Dallas Reynolds Travis Bright David Oswald
R.J. Willing Terence Brown Garrett Reden Jason Speredon Nick Alleto
TE/YR
Dennis Pitta
Andrew George
SB/HR
Kaneakua Friel
Reed White
QB
Max Hall
Brenden Gaskins
FL/ZR
Austin Collie
Luke Ashworth
FB
Fui Vakapuna
Wayne Latu
TB
Harvey Unga
J.J. DiLuigi
Special teams
Kicker
Mitch Payne or
Justin Sorensen
Punter
C.J. Santiago
Justin Sorensen
DS
John Pace (PK/FG)
or
Chris Muehlmann (Punt)
Holder
Bryce Mahuika
Austin Collie
or Brenden Gaskins
Kickoff cover unit
Andrew Rich, O'Neill Chambers, Daniel Sorensen, Shiloah Te'o, Matt Bauman (or Iona Pritchard),
Coleby Clawson, Kaneakua Friel, Jeff Bell, Bryan Kariya and Isaac Taylor
KR
O'Neill Chambers
& Austin Collie
PR
O'Neill Chambers
or Reed White

Recruits

[edit]

Recruits joining the team this year include O'Neill Chambers and Justin Sorensen. Justin Sorensen was widely regarded as the best high school football kicker in the country last year with a record high 62-yard field goal and kickoffs that regularly go into the endzone and often through the goal posts.

Awards and citations

[edit]

Outland Trophy

[edit]

Senior offensive linemen, Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds, were named to the 2008 Outland Trophy watch list.[51] BYU boasts two previous Outland Trophy winners, defensive lineman Jason Buck (1986) and offensive lineman Mohammed Elewonibi (1989).

Lott Trophy

[edit]

Jan Jorgensen was selected as a preseason candidate for the Lott Trophy's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.[52] He is one of 42 preseason candidates being considered for the award.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

[edit]

Jan Jorgensen was named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football.[53]

Ted Hendricks Award

[edit]

Jan Jorgensen is also a candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award presented to the premier defensive end in college football.[54]

Chuck Bednarik Award

[edit]

Jan Jorgensen is a candidate for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

Maxwell Award

[edit]

Junior quarterback, Max Hall, was named on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the year's best college football player. Ty Detmer won the award at BYU in 1990.

Davey O'Brien Award

[edit]

Max Hall is one of thirty-one quarterbacks named to the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award watch list.[55] The award honors the nation's best quarterback. Jim McMahon, Steve Young, and Ty Detmer (twice) have all won the award. Honored four times, BYU has earned more Davey O' Brien Awards than any other team.

Walter Camp Award

[edit]

Max Hall was one of 35 candidates named on the watch list for the Walter Camp Award for the Player-of-the-Year.[56] In his first year as a starter in 2007, Hall was the nation's top sophomore quarterback in terms of passing yards. On the season, he completed 298-of-496 passes for 3,848 yards and 26 touchdowns.

John Mackey Award

[edit]

Dennis Pitta is one of thirty tight ends named to the John Mackey Award preseason watch list.[57][58]

Fred Biletnikoff Award

[edit]

Junior Austin Collie is on the watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.

Dick Butkus Award

[edit]

Senior outside linebacker, David Nixon, is on the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award.

Doak Walker Award

[edit]

Sophomore Harvey Unga is one of 42 of the nation's top college running backs named as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award.[59] Luke Staley won the award at BYU in 2001.

All-America Team

[edit]

Candidates for the All-America team are Ray Feinga, Dallas Reynolds, Jan Jorgensen, Max Hall, Harvey Unga, Dennis Pitta and Austin Collie.[60] Fifty-three BYU players have earned 59 All-America citations including 11 consensus All-Americans and 21 Academic All-America citations.[61] Harvey Unga earned Freshman All-America accolades last year.[62][63]

All-Mountain West Conference Football Team (Pre-season)

[edit]

First Team Offense: Max Hall, Harvey Unga, Austin Collie, Dennis Pitta, Ray Feinga, and Dallas Reynolds
First Team Defense: Jan Jorgensen
Second Team Offense:
Second Team Defense:
Offensive Player of the Year: Max Hall
Honorable Mention:

[64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ellsworth, Jon (September 24, 2008). "BYU's Winning Formula, Part 1". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  2. ^ www.byucougars.com - Cougars Picked to Win MWC
  3. ^ www.byucougars.com - annual Blue-White spring game
  4. ^ www.byucougars.com - David Nixon, Jan Jorgensen, Max Hall, and Travis Bright were chosen as team captains.
  5. ^ Schlabach, Mark (January 8, 2008). "2008 top-25 early preseason picks". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  6. ^ Schlabach, Mark (May 9, 2008). "2008 top-25 preseason picks". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  7. ^ Fox, David; Megargee, Steve. "2008 Preseason Top 25". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  8. ^ "CFN.com 2008 Preseason Top 25". College Football News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Mandel, Stewart (May 1, 2008). "CNN's SI.com (Sports Illustrated) 2008 preseason top 25 College Football Power Rankings". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  10. ^ "Lindy's Sports' 2008 preseason top 25". Lindy's Sports. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  11. ^ Dodds, Dennis. "2008 College Football preseason top 25". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  12. ^ Barnhart, Tony. "2008 College Football preseason top 30". fanblogs.com. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  13. ^ "Athlon Sports preseason top 25". Athlon Sports. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2008.
  14. ^ "Phil Steele's 2008 Preseason Top 25". philsteele.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  15. ^ "CBS College Sports Pre-season 2008 Top 25". CSTV.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2008.
  16. ^ Myerberg, Paul (August 20, 2008). "New York Times Pre-season 2008 Countdown of all college football teams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  17. ^ "ESPN – preseason Coaches poll". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  18. ^ "ESPN – preseason AP poll". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  19. ^ "themwc.cstv.com - 2008 MWC football schedule". Archived from the original on April 7, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  20. ^ www.byucougars.com - 2008 BYU Cougars football schedule
  21. ^ www.byucougars.com - Northern Iowa game recap
  22. ^ Saturday Sound Offs-The Blog for the College Football Junkie: Blogger Q&A: MWC Edition
  23. ^ www.byucougars.com - Washington game recap 1999
  24. ^ www.byucougars.com - BYU defeats Washington Huskies
  25. ^ www.byucougars.com - Max Hall is Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week
  26. ^ www.byucougars.com - Jan Jorgensen's game winning block was nominated for ESPN's Pontiac Game Changing Performance.
  27. ^ www.byucougars.com - UCLA game recap
  28. ^ www.byucougars.com - Max Hall MWC Offensive Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Football Foundation's Offensive Player of the Week
  29. ^ No. 18 B.Y.U. 59, U.C.L.A. 0 Hall’s 7 Touchdown Passes Lead B.Y.U.’s Rout, Associated Press, New York Times, September 13, 2008
  30. ^ www.byucougars.com - Wyoming game recap
  31. ^ www.byucougars.com - Utah State game preview
  32. ^ www.byucougars.com - New Mexico game recap
  33. ^ "New Mexico vs. BYU - College Football Game Recap - October 11, 2008". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  34. ^ "New Mexico vs. BYU - College Football Box Score - October 11, 2008". ESPN. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  35. ^ www.byucougars.com - TCU game recap
  36. ^ www.espn.com TCU ends BYU's BCS hopes,...
  37. ^ www.byucougars.com - UNLV game recap
  38. ^ www.byucougars.com - Colorado State game recap
  39. ^ www.byucougars.com - San Diego State game recap
  40. ^ www.byucougars.com - San Diego State post game notes
  41. ^ www.byucougars.com – Air Force game recap
  42. ^ "BYU-Utah rivalry resounds far, wide", Deseret Morning News, 19 November 2005.
  43. ^ www.byucougars.com - Utah game recap
  44. ^ www.byucougars.com - Jaime Hill named defensive coordinator.
  45. ^ www.byucougars.com - Vic So'oto moves from tight end to outside linebacker.
  46. ^ www.byucougars.com - Daniel Sorensen moves from safety to outside linebacker.
  47. ^ www.deseretnews.com - Travis Bright has spoken.
  48. ^ www.byucougars.com - Terrance Hooks out for 2008 with torn patella tendon
  49. ^ www.byucougars.com - Tonga suspended - ruled academically ineligible
  50. ^ www.byucougars.com - Sixty players served missions, of which 42 speak a second language. Twenty-seven players are married.
  51. ^ www.byucougars.com - Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds named to the 2008 Outland Trophy watchlist
  52. ^ www.byucougars.com - Jan Jorgensen selected as a candidate for the Lott Trophy
  53. ^ www.byucougars.com - Jan Jorgensen on the preseason watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
  54. ^ www.byucougars.com - Jan Jorgensen is candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award
  55. ^ www.byucougars.com - Max Hall on the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award
  56. ^ www.byucougars.com - Max Hall on the watch list for the Walter Camp Award[permanent dead link‍]
  57. ^ www.byucougars.com - Dennis Pitta on the watch list for the John Mackey Award
  58. ^ www.nassausports.org - John Mackey Award watch list
  59. ^ www.byucougars.com - Harvey Unga on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award
  60. ^ www.ksl.com - NationalChamps.net All-Americans.
  61. ^ "www.byucougars.com - Fifty three BYU players have earned 59 All-America citations". Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  62. ^ FWAA's 2007 Freshman All-America Team
  63. ^ Rivals.com 2007 Freshman All-America Team
  64. ^ "themwc.cstv.com - 2008 All-Mountain West Conference Football Team (preseason picks)". Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
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