Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Some BYU "bullet points" to file away for game day...
-the Cougars may score more points tomorrow than they've scored in Bronco Mendenhall's three previous season openers combined: 3 in 2005, 13 in 2006 and 20 in 2007. That's a total of 36. I'll take the "over."
-under Bronco, BYU has beaten its two prior FCS foes by 35 points apiece (45-10 over Eastern Illinois in 2005, and 42-7 over Eastern Washington last season).
-BYU has scored first in 29 of Bronco's 38 games (25-4). BYU has won the last two games in which the opponent has scored first.
-BYU is 18-1 in its last 19 games when rushing for 100+ yards.
-the average number of penalties/game has decreased in every season of the Bronco Mendenhall era (8.3, 7.2, 7.0).
-Northern Iowa is 0-3 against ranked FBS opponents. BYU is the highest ranked team UNI has ever faced.
-BYU is 5 more consecutive home wins away from tying the school record of 17 straight home victories.
-there are 9 active UNI Panthers in the NFL. Arizona Cardinals starting QB and former NFL MVP Kurt Warner is a Northern Iowa product.
-Harvey Unga averaged 144.8 all-purpose yards/game in 2007. UNI RB Corey Lewis racked up 167.5 all-purpose yards/game last season. Unga and receiver Austin Collie combined to average 274.6 all-purpose yards/game. Lewis and receiver Johnny Gray combined to average 279.2 all-purpose yards/game.
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With all the discussion of the new 40/25 play clock in college football, the impact of that rule will be minimal. Of greater significance is the new rule starting the game clock on the "ready for play" signal after a runner goes out of bounds (except for the final two minutes of each half). This rule will actually mean fewer plays and shorter games.
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Remember, kickoffs out of bounds this season will give the receiving team the ball at its 40-yard line, should it so choose.
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Instant replay can now look at runners ruled down, when a fumble recovery occurs in the immediate action following the fumble, and before the play is blown dead. This is a change from years past, when players ruled down were not subject to replay review.
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Coaches are now allowed a maximum of two replay challenges per game (if their first challenge is successful).
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This would have been more of a storyline had BYU been facing Arizona's Mike Stoops again, but sideline warnings are history. They have been replaced by 5-yard sideline interference penalties on first and second offense. A third offense results in a 15-yard unsportsmanline conduct penalty.
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