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I wrote yesterday that the MWC honchos like it when one of their teams beats "name" teams on national TV, so I fully expected Utah's Brian Johnson to share offensive player of the week honors, with either Max Hall or Dennis Pitta. When the league's POW awards were announced today, Johnson and Ute PK Louis Sakoda were honored, as was TCU DE Jerry Hughes, but there were no Cougars on the list. For a conference clearly not shy about having players share weekly honors, this was a bit unusual, since Hall and Pitta were either #1 or #2 at their posisitons nationally on Saturday.
I would imagine the fact Utah beat "mighty Michigan" on the road while BYU played an FCS foe at home factored into the decision, but really, 83% passing for 486 yards, two touchdowns (another rushing score) and no interceptions doesn't get a sniff? 11 catches for 213 yards (10th in BYU history) doesn't buy a share? Johnson was 21/33 for 305 yards, with a td and a pick. Dozens of QBs had similar numbers on the weekend. He was -66 yards on the ground. He had a good day, and Utah picked up a good win, but to ignore superlative outings like the ones Hall and Pitta had Saturday is a little out of whack. By the way, I've not been made aware of any league policy eliminating players who faced FSC teams from consideration for weekly awards. It could exist, but I've not seen it before.
Having said all of that, it's not a big deal to the Cougars, and I doubt Bronco is either aware or worried about these weekly honors.
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By the way, for all the ruckus being raised about Max Hall's health status, I am informed by one who knows that Hall did not receive a concussion Saturday. I am also told that Harvey Unga's ankle is "good."
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