Report on other games...10/22/2011

BYU 56 Idaho State 3

BYU did everything to secure a blowout win without running up the score.  The Cougars, the way that they moved the ball at will, only attempted 27 passes while running the ball 44 times.  Idaho State passed 60 times with 19 running attempts.  The high number of runs for the Cougars ran the clock down when they had the ball.  Yet, BYU was still ahead 35-3 at half-time.  BYU could have put up 70 on the Bengals, but stuck to the ground once current starter Riley Nelson was replaced by former starter Jake Heaps.

MVP: Riley Nelson

California 34 Utah 10

Jon Hays has done little at the starting quarterback for the Utes other than give the ball away.  He did not sacrifice any turnovers last week against Pittsburgh, but much of the scoring was done on special teams and on defense.  The QB situation in Utah is not good, and the main reason why the Utes are still winless in the PAC-12.  Let me also remind my readers that Utah is unbeaten in non conference play, and they have the other weaker PAC-12 teams left on their schedule...Washington State, Arizona, UCLA and Colorado.  If the Utes can win 3 of those 4, they still get a bowl game.  Yes, it will be in Las Vegas or Albuquerque, but it will be bowling non-the-less.  Frankly, the same result they would get if they had remained in the MWC.

MVP: KR Reggie Dunn

Louisiana Tech 27 Utah State 17

Even though the Aggies have look good for 3 quarters the entire season, not finishing gets you the same result.  But the Aggies still deserve credit for their exploits.  There are two main reasons for the 4th quarter melt-downs.  First, the Aggies do not have the fresh legs to turn to late in the game when they are needed.  This is a combination of depth and conditioning.  This problem will take another season or two to correct.  The other problem is the coaching of the team late in the game.  What is my evidence for this?  After going up 14-7 in the 3rd quarter, the Aggies had the ball 6 times.  Three times it was three plays and a punt.  Twice they went for it on 4th down and failed, and these were 4-play drives.  Therefore, on 5/6 drives in the late stages of the game, the Aggies failed to get a first down.  At this late and critical stage of the game, the Aggies only earned 1 first down.  This experience will be valuable for both the coaches and the players in the future.  Don't expect these late-game melt downs to continue in 2012.

MVP: Robert Turpin