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On a night that 19 seniors played their final game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the BYU football team turned in another dominating performance, winning by a 42-7 score for the second straight week, this time against New Mexico State on Saturday. The Cougars improved to 8-3 and remain in contention to reach their fifth 10-win season in the past six years.
“I was just really proud of the way our seniors chose to lead the team in their final home game,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “They earned the chance to go out as one of the most winning classes that’s ever played at BYU.”
Representing a brother
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“Words can’t describe what it meant to put that No. 1 on just because of what [Pendleton has] gone through here,” Van Noy said of the gesture. “It was a good feeling putting that number on because it meant a lot for him to still be out there.”
Menenhall said he appreciated Van Noy for his desire to represent his teammates.
“There’s no one that wants to play more than [Pendleton] and I think he’s been an inspiration to the outside linebackers. [Van Noy] thought it would be nice to pay tribute to Jordan and his example,” Mendenhall said. “I thought that was a really nice gesture, a selfless act and a great compliment.
Getting defensive
Having averaged a little more than four touchdowns and 300 passing yards per game this season, the Aggies hit a brick wall Saturday against the Cougar defense. New Mexico State was forced to punt six times, put up only 249 total offenseive yards and converted on only 5 of 16 third downs. BYU held New Mexico State to its lowest point total of the season and now ranks 23rd in the country in scoring defense.
“I thought our defense played very well against an offense that has been explosive regardless of opponent,” Mendenhall said. “They played an excellent game.”
Strong start for Heaps
The Cougars’ 12-play, 52-yard scoring drive marked the first time this season that sophomore quarterback Jake Heaps led BYU to a touchdown on its first series. Heaps also tied a career high with four touchdown passes.
Another tight end goes down
Injuries continue to plague the tight end position. Sophomore tight end Austin Holt went down Saturday with what appeared to be a serious leg injury. While updates on the severity of the injury are forthcoming, Holt joins the injured ranks with other top tight ends Devin Mahina and Richard Wilson, who are each out for the season. Mahina is recovering from a neck fracture sustained in fall camp, and Wilson suffered a torn ACL against Oregon State earlier this season.
A night in the spotlight
In some positive news at the tight end position, senior Matthew Edwards caught the first pass of his playing career at BYU when he hauled in a 9-yard scoring strike from Heaps late in the third quarter. Edwards is the grandson of legendary coach LaVell Edwards.
“We came up together and I’ve been in the same situation as them,” said senior linebacker Jameson Frazier of the second and third string seniors who received extra playing time. “It’s a lot of fun seeing other guys getting some time, getting some action and doing so well.”
Frazier, who is a team captain, earned a spot on the team as a walk-on player.
Heaps, Nelson target different receivers
While sophomore Cody Hoffman appears to be junior quarterback Riley Nelson’s favorite receiving target, freshman wide receiver Ross Apo fills the role of go-to guy for Heaps. With two TD grabs against New Mexico State, Apo has now caught six touchdowns from Heaps compared to just one from Nelson. Five of Hoffman’s six touchdowns, oppositely, have been delivered by Nelson.
Turnovers remain a problem
BYU only suffered one turnover against New Mexico State — an interception from Heaps — but in no games this season has the team committed zero turnovers. Dating back to last year, the Cougars have turned the ball over at least once in 11 consecutive games.
Kicking accuracy lacking
Sophomore kicker Justin Sorensen has struggled mightily with kicking accuracy this season. After missing a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter against New Mexico State, Sorensen has now connected on only 12 of 20 field goal attempts. He is 2 for 6 in the past three games.
