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by Jeff Reynolds, BYU Athletic Communications
PROVO, Utah (July 30, 2006) -- One of BYU's all-time great receivers, Phil Odle, passed away on July 27, 2006 at his home in Orem, Utah.
Odle, 63, was a three-time All-WAC receiver for the Cougars and held every BYU and Western Athletic Conference receiving record during his career--some of those records stood for over 20 years. At the end of his senior season, only one other player had more receptions in NCAA football history. Following his senior season, Odle was drafted by the Detroit Lions.
"The BYU football family has suffered a great loss," head football coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Looking through our record book, it is obvious how much of an impact Phil has had on this program. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
The 1968 BYU Football Media Guide summarized Odle's career by stating, "It is by no means coincidental that BYU's three years among the nation's offensive leaders came during the same period split end Phil Odle was a member of the Cougar varsity.
"Only one other player in the history of NCAA football has caught more passes over a three-year playing career, and only two other players in college football annals have accounted for more yardage on pass receptions."
Then defensive coordinator and long-time head coach LaVell Edwards said Odle was a great competitor who made an immediate impact on the BYU football program.
"Phil was part of a group of 10 or 12 players that came to BYU after playing and serving in the US Marine Corps," Edwards said. "Phil was part of that first group that came to Provo, and he made an immediate impact. He was a great individual.
"As a football player, he was outstanding," Edwards added. "He was one of those players who's motor was always running. That's what made him so great. His desire to excel separated him from most other players. He would have been a great player in any era. He could have played on any one of our teams and would have been a star."
During his first season in Provo, Odle helped lead BYU to its first-ever conference championship. He set a school record with 46 receptions for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns. A year later, he smashed his own record with 60 receptions for 920 yards and five touchdowns. As a senior, he added another 77 receptions that stood as a BYU record until Jay Miller collected 100 receptions in 1973. Despite Miller's 1973 performance, Odle's 77 receptions ranked second on the single-season best list until 1990 when Andy Boyce was credited with 79 receptions. Odle totaled 2,548 career receiving yards, which stood as a record for over 22 seasons.
Marc Lyons, who played quarterback during Odle's senior season, said Odle was a great leader and a great competitor.
"He was an outstanding leader," Lyons said. "He made me a better quarterback. As an ex-Marine, Phil was one of those guys who you thought would live forever. He had that kind of presence about him."
During the Cougars' 67-8 victory over San Jose State on November 25, 1967, Odle encouraged Lyons to throw deep. Odle had complained to Lyons in the huddle that the San Jose State defender was being somewhat disrespectful of his ability.
Phil Odle
"The defender was telling Phil that he wasn't very good, and that there was no way Phil could beat him," Lyons recalled. "Phil told me to throw deep, but Coach Hudspeth had told me we weren't going to score anymore and not to throw any more deep ones. The game was over and he wanted us to try to run out the clock."
With 11:14 left in the fourth quarter, up 47-0, Lyons, then only a sophomore, listened to the senior receiver and went deep to Odle. The duo connected on a crowd-pleasing 40-yard touchdown reception.
"Phil got the glory, and I got in trouble," Lyons recalled.
Seven minutes later, Lyons and Odle connected again on a seven-yard touchdown, giving BYU a 60-0 lead over the Spartans. Odle finished his final game at BYU with 10 receptions for 100 yards, including three touchdowns.
According to Lyons, when Odle broke his own single-season reception record, he threw the ball in to the stands. Lyons said Odle later received a bill from the school for the cost of replacing the ball. "I don't think he ever paid the bill," Lyons said.
Odle is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan; his children, Matthew (Julie), Stephanie (Jordan); three grandchildren: Cole, McKenzie, and Claire; and a sister, Helen.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 1 at 1 p.m. (MT) at the Sunset Heights 6th Ward Chapel, located at 500 South 600 West in Orem.
