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Whoever BYU's new quarterback will be next season, he'll have a lot of help in the tackle box.
Already returning four-fifths of last season's offensive line, BYU will now be returning the MWC's best running back for a fourth and final campaign.
This news came out of BYU a short time ago:
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BYU's Harvey Unga Staying for Senior Season
Running back has rare opportunity to achieve four 1,000-yard seasons
PROVO, Utah (Jan. 14, 2010) — BYU running back Harvey Unga today announced he will not declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. "I am staying in school and looking forward to playing my final season of college football," Unga said. "I want to finish my college education, and I hope to play well and do my best as a senior to help our team."
The 6-foot, 237-pound Provo, Utah, native is BYU's all-time leading rusher with 3,455 yards over his first three seasons. He was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2009 after earning second-team accolades in 2008. He was a Freshman All-American and MWC Freshman of the Year in 2007.
Unga led the MWC in rushing in 2009 with 1,087 yards to help BYU achieve an 11-2 record and No. 12 final ranking. Unga rushed for 11 touchdowns and added one more score as a receiver during 12 games in 2009. BYU has posted a 32-7 record during Unga's three seasons, a standard topped by only five teams nationally.
"I fully support Harvey in his decision to continue with school and finish out his eligibility," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Harvey is a phenomenal football player and a fine person. I feel fortunate as a coach to continue working with him for another season."
The first Cougar running back to surpass 1,000 yards in three consecutive years, Unga returns with the chance to become only the ninth player in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision history to gain 1,000 yards or more in four seasons.
Players who have accomplished the feat include Tony Dorsett (Pittsburg, 1973-76), Amos Lawrence (North Carolina, 1977-80), Denvis Manns (New Mexico State, 1995-98), Ron Dayne (Wisconsin, 1996-99), Cedric Benson (Texas, 2002-05), DonTrell Moore (New Mexico, 2002-05), Tyrell Fenroy (Louisiana Lafayette, 2005-08) and Damion Fletcher (Southern Mississippi, 2006-09).
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The BYU hoopsters were back on the practice floor this afternoon for a 70-minute session that featured Jimmer Fredette running with the "ones."
Asked whether he could see starting Fredette Saturday against Colorado State, head coach Dave Rose answered in the affirmative, depending on how Fredette feels on Friday. Rose said Fredette's energy level today was "really good."
You can hear all of Rose's post-practice comments by clicking on his audio link in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right.
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ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi lists BYU as one of his 15 "true locks*" for the NCAA Tournament in a blog entry posted today. About the Cougars, he writes:
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"BYU (16-1, 2-0): You have to look pretty hard, but the Cougars are really good. And just wait until Jimmer Fredette is back at full strength.
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Lunardi defines his "true locks" like this:
"teams already in the NCAA tournament, barring a major accident. What we're saying is that these 15 teams need only "hold serve" (e.g., win the games they're supposed to) to assure themselves a place in the field."
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