BYU 26 – Utah 23 (OT)
Hip Hip – Jorge! The senior tight end Andrew George took a thread-the-needle-bullet pass from Max Hall and went straight to the end zone untouched to end an afternoon of frustration that saw Utah come back from 14 down to send it to overtime. Right as he broke free, the crowd erupted with cheers and released the anxiety that had beleaguered the onlookers throughout the bout. George and other seniors were hoisted by the fans who rushed the field to celebrate the victory over hated and then not so hated rival Utah. (Courtesy Max Hall)
The defense was definitely the key to BYU’s victory even though they gave up 14 points to allow Utah to tie the game. They were running on fumes after the offense kept going 3 and out in the fourth quarter. But, when the game mattered most, as they normally do, the defense made the stops to put the offense in position to win.
A word must be said about O’Neill Chambers, too. I think he made up his mind before the game that he wouldn’t fair catch a single punt. He had a huge day in the return game and baited the opposition into several penalties for fair catch interference and gave the Cougars good field position on numerous drives.
Also, Dennis Pitta broke the record for most receptions in a career during the game. Remember, he was a walk-on and didn’t really get a chance until his sophomore year. Harvey Unga surpassed 1,000 yards rushing while only really playing in 10 games if you don’t count his 3 carry debut against Tulane.
Oh yeah, penalties, penalties, and more penalties! This week included a call on Utah for intimidating the snap count or something like that. Where do they come up with this stuff?
Another thing, how about those cool throwback uniforms? Good stuff all around!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Home Field Dominance
BYU 38 – Air Force 21
It seemed like forever since the Cougars last dominated a game against a good team. To be fair, though, Air Force didn’t play their best football by a long shot, committing 4 turnovers. Predominately a running team, the BYU defense held them to many 3rd and long downs. The offense also played really well with Max Hall throwing 5 TD’s and taking over as the winning-est quarterback in BYU history.
Of course, that wouldn’t have happened without the help of Harvey Unga, who eclipsed the record for most rushing yards in a career at BYU and Dennis Pitta, who had 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The officials even got into the act as BYU tried a trick play that has been perfected by Peyton Manning. In the play, the quarterback pretends to yell something at a WR while the ball is direct-snapped to the running back and should catch the defense off guard, which it did as Harvey took it in for the score. But wait, Intent to deceive was called on Max Hall and the play was negated. Silly referee, tricks are for kids!
It seemed like forever since the Cougars last dominated a game against a good team. To be fair, though, Air Force didn’t play their best football by a long shot, committing 4 turnovers. Predominately a running team, the BYU defense held them to many 3rd and long downs. The offense also played really well with Max Hall throwing 5 TD’s and taking over as the winning-est quarterback in BYU history.
Of course, that wouldn’t have happened without the help of Harvey Unga, who eclipsed the record for most rushing yards in a career at BYU and Dennis Pitta, who had 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The officials even got into the act as BYU tried a trick play that has been perfected by Peyton Manning. In the play, the quarterback pretends to yell something at a WR while the ball is direct-snapped to the running back and should catch the defense off guard, which it did as Harvey took it in for the score. But wait, Intent to deceive was called on Max Hall and the play was negated. Silly referee, tricks are for kids!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hello…Hello…Hello…
Fear not fans of 3rd and Pitta. I now make my triumphant return to this wonderful forum that is the internet. I do apologize for the inconvenience that befell each one of you admirable followers. I know what you’re thinking…He couldn’t take the loss to TCU, or he’s jumped ship on the Max Hall era, or he’s run out of things to say. The answers to these are nay, nay, and nay. Oh contraire, I stand by the Cougars despite any horrid happenings that may have occurred in the preceding weeks.
This is the part where I would talk about the all-around lassoing (terrible pun, I know) of the Wyoming Cowboys. But, it just so happens that I didn’t watch that game for I was in the far reaches of space, AKA Rexburg, Idaho, and had no cable television. That, in itself, was strange because we were so very close to Rigby, Idaho. And for anyone of you who have met a native of Rigby, you know that it is the birthplace of television.
Please forgive my following tirade about these people who feel obligated to state the same boring fact about their hometown every time they introduce themselves to someone as if we wouldn’t be impressed otherwise. (Because we probably wouldn’t)
Hi, I’m John from Rigby, ID – the birthplace of television
Hi, I’m Steve from Fillmore, UT – the first capital of Utah
Hi, I’m Gary from Hope, AR – Home of Bill Clinton (Okay so maybe people don’t say that last one as much for fear of being scorned, but you get the point)
Who do these people think they are? I think we could all do without it, though I will say thank you to all those in Rigby who share their spoils so abundantly with the rest of us common folk.
So, despite how hectic my life may become in the coming weeks, I vow to write on this blog at least a few more times. Stay tuned!
This is the part where I would talk about the all-around lassoing (terrible pun, I know) of the Wyoming Cowboys. But, it just so happens that I didn’t watch that game for I was in the far reaches of space, AKA Rexburg, Idaho, and had no cable television. That, in itself, was strange because we were so very close to Rigby, Idaho. And for anyone of you who have met a native of Rigby, you know that it is the birthplace of television.
Please forgive my following tirade about these people who feel obligated to state the same boring fact about their hometown every time they introduce themselves to someone as if we wouldn’t be impressed otherwise. (Because we probably wouldn’t)
Hi, I’m John from Rigby, ID – the birthplace of television
Hi, I’m Steve from Fillmore, UT – the first capital of Utah
Hi, I’m Gary from Hope, AR – Home of Bill Clinton (Okay so maybe people don’t say that last one as much for fear of being scorned, but you get the point)
Who do these people think they are? I think we could all do without it, though I will say thank you to all those in Rigby who share their spoils so abundantly with the rest of us common folk.
So, despite how hectic my life may become in the coming weeks, I vow to write on this blog at least a few more times. Stay tuned!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Four in a row!
BYU 38 – SDSU 28
The offense – great! The defense – not so much…okay, so I’d prefer not to say anything derogatory towards the Cougars but I’m not about to use any panegyric encomiums to display my emotions (surprisingly, I am actually learning the useless information in my law class, go figure). Suffice it to say that the defense stepped up at the end of the game when the game was on the line and made enough plays to win. Of course, the offense contributed, too. Max Hall had zero interceptions for the second straight week. He even had some extraordinary runs to silence the naysayers. Among them, a one yard touchdown scramble as time expired in the first half to give BYU the lead going in to halftime. Dennis Pitta and Andrew “hip hip” Jorge both caught touchdowns. Even Harvey Unga did his trademark – come to a screeching halt as he crosses the goal line for a score.
Right Guard Terence Brown became Right Tackle Terence Brown in the first half when an injury forced the most versatile lineman BYU has ever seen to move over and play a position he doesn’t even play in practice. I guess that’s what makes him the man.
Finally, I must say somewhat concerning a penalty call on BYU. Look, I acknowledge that I don’t know all the rules in football, but I have seen a multitude of football games. Perhaps my ignorance is at fault, but not once have I ever seen the following call against the offense. Encroachment, #32 offense, 5 yard penalty, repeat 1st down. First of all, charging the great Dennis Pitta with such an infraction is simply absurd. Second, encroachment is a defensive penalty. Third, the reason the penalty was called was because the accused tight end came out of the huddle and stood ahead of the line of scrimmage and immediately upon knowing of the mistake and before the ball was snapped, he adjusted himself to be behind the line. This, however, wasn’t enough and he was called for a ridiculous penalty. Luckily, this play had no bearing on the game or else I might have been forced to use the title of “jerk” for this referee.
The offense – great! The defense – not so much…okay, so I’d prefer not to say anything derogatory towards the Cougars but I’m not about to use any panegyric encomiums to display my emotions (surprisingly, I am actually learning the useless information in my law class, go figure). Suffice it to say that the defense stepped up at the end of the game when the game was on the line and made enough plays to win. Of course, the offense contributed, too. Max Hall had zero interceptions for the second straight week. He even had some extraordinary runs to silence the naysayers. Among them, a one yard touchdown scramble as time expired in the first half to give BYU the lead going in to halftime. Dennis Pitta and Andrew “hip hip” Jorge both caught touchdowns. Even Harvey Unga did his trademark – come to a screeching halt as he crosses the goal line for a score.
Right Guard Terence Brown became Right Tackle Terence Brown in the first half when an injury forced the most versatile lineman BYU has ever seen to move over and play a position he doesn’t even play in practice. I guess that’s what makes him the man.
Finally, I must say somewhat concerning a penalty call on BYU. Look, I acknowledge that I don’t know all the rules in football, but I have seen a multitude of football games. Perhaps my ignorance is at fault, but not once have I ever seen the following call against the offense. Encroachment, #32 offense, 5 yard penalty, repeat 1st down. First of all, charging the great Dennis Pitta with such an infraction is simply absurd. Second, encroachment is a defensive penalty. Third, the reason the penalty was called was because the accused tight end came out of the huddle and stood ahead of the line of scrimmage and immediately upon knowing of the mistake and before the ball was snapped, he adjusted himself to be behind the line. This, however, wasn’t enough and he was called for a ridiculous penalty. Luckily, this play had no bearing on the game or else I might have been forced to use the title of “jerk” for this referee.
COLLEGE GAMEDAY BUILT BY THE HOME DEPOT!!!
Can you believe it? ESPN and the crew are going to be in Provo this homecoming weekend as we take on the #8 TCU Horned Frogs (according to today's freshly released BCS rankings). There will be an electric atmosphere as the entire city converges on Lavell Edwards Stadium for this heavyweight matchup from 10 o'clock in the AM until kickoff at 5:30 Mountain Standard Time. So everyone grab a parka and park-a your butt outside the staduim all day and you might be lucky enough to be on national television. It ought to be a dandy. The only question I have is who will have the misfortune of having their mascot adorned on the head of Lee Corso as his projection of the winner? We'll just have to wait and see...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fantasy Football
This week culminates in a clash of fantasy football titans as Sledgefest (1-3) takes on Cowboys Forever (2-2). You may be asking yourself why a matchup of seemingly mediocre teams merits such fanfare. Well, these are our fantasy football teams that collide this weekend and the winner will receive bragging rights for the remainder of the football season and possibly beyond (assuming this doesn't tear our friendship apart). It should be grand. Results are forthcoming.
You also may be thinking that a team named Cowboys Forever, which is fraught with players of the real Dallas Cowboys, could in no wise compete due to the bye week for said Dallas Cowboys. You would be mistaken to assume such an assumption. These Cowboys Forever and their awe-inspiring fight song are exceptionally versatile and will make up for this setback with relative ease. That’s right Sledgefest, I’m calling you out! (Oh, and no quips about how you’ll let your players do the talking)
You also may be thinking that a team named Cowboys Forever, which is fraught with players of the real Dallas Cowboys, could in no wise compete due to the bye week for said Dallas Cowboys. You would be mistaken to assume such an assumption. These Cowboys Forever and their awe-inspiring fight song are exceptionally versatile and will make up for this setback with relative ease. That’s right Sledgefest, I’m calling you out! (Oh, and no quips about how you’ll let your players do the talking)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Home away from home
BYU 59 – UNLV 21
Well I was about to chronicle our adventures to Las Vegas and the BYU game, but I remembered the advice a wise sage (Matt R.) once relayed to me- What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, his version was a little dirtier than that. Plus, the only stuff that stays in Vegas is stuff that you're ashamed of, and we are dang proud of our Cougars.
It was a blowout from the beginning of the game. Max Hall was on target, throwing for more than 300 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions. Harvey Unga also ran for 149 yards and had 3 touchdowns. Nine different receivers caught passes and seven different players ran the ball as the Cougars amassed over 600 total yards. The defense was rocking. Geneva would have had a hey day with all the bone crushing hits. The D had the away crowd oohing with all the solid strikes. Not only that, but they picked off 3 errant passes. One was a one-handed pull-in from out of bounds by Jordan Pendleton (or Jan Jorgenson according to the announcer) and another was a diving snag by Scott Johnson (who also had the other INT).
In my haste to celebrate the accomplishments of the team, I failed to make mention of the most excellent occurrence of the night. Ocho Siete made his debut in the fourth quarter. He ran some great routes and was often wide open. Unfortunately, BYU ran the ball pretty much every time. We could have been up by 50 points if the ball got into 87's able hands.
Big man Terence Brown also played well. The coaching staff eventually took him out of the game so the UNLV defense could nurse their wounds and broken pride. (And as a side note... he does not resemble the Michelin Man. This is clear to me now. He is more like the offspring of the Incredible Hulk and Brad Pitt. Please don't hurt me...)
Other notes-
• I’m not sure, but I think the play-by-play announcer at the game was spinning a roulette wheel with the names of the BYU defensive players after each play to determine who made the tackle on the previous play. It took him 2 and half quarters to start getting the names right.
• While their stadium is much smaller, UNLV has it figured out. Some guy got $500 for kicking a field goal from the 5 yard line. They play AC-DC and Metallica instead of Star Wars. We weren't drowned with corporate sponsors. The fans sat down the entire game, drank beer, and heckled a BYU girl because she was breaking the honor code by wearing short shorts.
• By the end of the game, the only people left at the game were BYU fans who made up about half the stands. It actually got loud when BYU was on defense.
• One last note from a friend who went to the game with me. Do the Rebel dancers graduate to become peep show dancers? Slap a boa on that ho-a and they are just about there.
For my next article, I may chronicle the rest of our adventure. Or I might just leave it to your wildest imaginings...
Well I was about to chronicle our adventures to Las Vegas and the BYU game, but I remembered the advice a wise sage (Matt R.) once relayed to me- What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, his version was a little dirtier than that. Plus, the only stuff that stays in Vegas is stuff that you're ashamed of, and we are dang proud of our Cougars.
It was a blowout from the beginning of the game. Max Hall was on target, throwing for more than 300 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions. Harvey Unga also ran for 149 yards and had 3 touchdowns. Nine different receivers caught passes and seven different players ran the ball as the Cougars amassed over 600 total yards. The defense was rocking. Geneva would have had a hey day with all the bone crushing hits. The D had the away crowd oohing with all the solid strikes. Not only that, but they picked off 3 errant passes. One was a one-handed pull-in from out of bounds by Jordan Pendleton (or Jan Jorgenson according to the announcer) and another was a diving snag by Scott Johnson (who also had the other INT).
In my haste to celebrate the accomplishments of the team, I failed to make mention of the most excellent occurrence of the night. Ocho Siete made his debut in the fourth quarter. He ran some great routes and was often wide open. Unfortunately, BYU ran the ball pretty much every time. We could have been up by 50 points if the ball got into 87's able hands.
Big man Terence Brown also played well. The coaching staff eventually took him out of the game so the UNLV defense could nurse their wounds and broken pride. (And as a side note... he does not resemble the Michelin Man. This is clear to me now. He is more like the offspring of the Incredible Hulk and Brad Pitt. Please don't hurt me...)
Other notes-
• I’m not sure, but I think the play-by-play announcer at the game was spinning a roulette wheel with the names of the BYU defensive players after each play to determine who made the tackle on the previous play. It took him 2 and half quarters to start getting the names right.
• While their stadium is much smaller, UNLV has it figured out. Some guy got $500 for kicking a field goal from the 5 yard line. They play AC-DC and Metallica instead of Star Wars. We weren't drowned with corporate sponsors. The fans sat down the entire game, drank beer, and heckled a BYU girl because she was breaking the honor code by wearing short shorts.
• By the end of the game, the only people left at the game were BYU fans who made up about half the stands. It actually got loud when BYU was on defense.
• One last note from a friend who went to the game with me. Do the Rebel dancers graduate to become peep show dancers? Slap a boa on that ho-a and they are just about there.
For my next article, I may chronicle the rest of our adventure. Or I might just leave it to your wildest imaginings...
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