Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
It's almost October, which is good news in and of itself for BYU Football fans. Over the last two seasons, BYU has not lost a single game after September 30th--going 16-0 in that time (5-0 in October, 8-0 in November, and 3-0 in December). Coming into this season, Bronco's September record was only 7-6.
*******
It's a question for which Bronco may not have an answer, or maybe there's a perfectly good answer (I'll ask him next week), but someone has to explain this: in 12 games last season, BYU's opponents fumbled a total of 12 times, and the Cougars recovered only four. Through four games this season, BYU's opponents have fumbled 14 times, and BYU has already doubled its recovery total, with eight!
I know Bronco doesn't believe in luck, but either the ball is just bouncing BYU's way, or the Cougars are really focusing on knocking the ball loose. Only one other team nationally (Air Force) has more fumble recoveries than BYU. Last year, only two teams nationally had fewer fumble recoveries than BYU. Interesting...
*******
According to the Sagarin ratings, Washington has had the nation's most difficult schedule, and UCLA is 5th.
By the way, in the overall Sagarin ratings, Northern Iowa is ranked ahead of New Mexico, Colorado State, Wyoming and San Diego State.
*******
Going inside BYU's top-ranked 3rd down conversion numbers, we see:
BYU is 16 for 16 on 3rd and 2 or less.
BYU has faced only 6 downs of 3rd and 11 or more (2 for 6). BYU's opponents have faced 14 downs of 3rd and 11 or more (2 for 14).
Without Max Hall in the game, BYU is converting 33% of 3rd down attempts (4 for 12). With Max Hall in the game, BYU is converting 77% of 3rd down attempts (34 of 44).
On 3rd and 7 or more, BYU's opponents are 6 for 30 (20%).
*******
BYU has trailed at halftime only once in the last 30 games (@ UCLA in 2007). In the 28 games BYU led, the Cougars are 25-3 (losses @ Arizona, @ Boston College and @ Tulsa).
*******
BYU has scored opening drive touchdowns in every game this year (four TDs in four opportunities, including the defensive touchdown v. Wyoming). The eight other MWC teams COMBINED have four opening drive touchdowns (in 30 opportunities).
*******
With a win over Utah State, Max Hall will tie Robbie Bosco for first place on BYU's alltime QB win percentage list (min. 10 starts).
*******
Harvey Unga's rushing TD scored in his redshirt season gives him 25 career TDs--one shy of tying Pete Van Valkenberg and Jeff Lane for 10th place alltime at BYU. With 64 more rushing yards, Unga will tie Eldon Fortie for 10th place alltime (1,666 yds).
*******
Only 6 BYU players have more career receiving touchdowns than Austin Collie (20). Those players are Eric Drage (29), Phil Odle (25), Mark Bellini (23), Glen Kozlowski (23), Gordon Hudson (22), and Mike Chronister (21).
*******
Since World War II, BYU's longest shutout streak is 9 quarters (set in 1985). BYU has gone 8 consecutive quarters without allowing a point.
*******
Wyoming leftover: In all four of Bronco's meetings with the Cowboys, BYU has not committed a single turnover. Wow.
*******
Reminder: NO Bronco Mendenhall Show tonight due to the bye week. We're back next Wednesday at 7:00pm at Ken Garff Honda of Orem.
*******
As we look ahead to hoops season, the new schedule link is up on our website. Soon, the 2008-09 BYU Basketball Game Audio archive link will be up and running, and all games will be accessible for download and podcast.
*******
