Cougars’ run game dominates UNLV
- posted: 16 Oct. 2007
- scrollsports@byui.edu
Sophomore quarterback Max Hall threw three interceptions and the Cougars fumbled twice, but BYU still managed to beat the UNLV Rebels Sat., Oct. 13, by two scores, 24-14.
The Cougar ground game was the key to victory, as freshman running back Harvey Unga ran for 177 yards and a touchdown, and the team as a whole netted 227 yards rushing. Manase Tonga added another rushing touchdown.
Rebel running back Frank Summers, who was coming off two straight games of 100-plus rushing yards, was held to only 50 yards rushing at 3.8 yards per carry. BYU linebackers David Nixon and Mark Staffieri combined for seven tackles and were major players in stopping the Rebel rushing attack.
The impotency of the UNLV rushing game put more pressure on their passing to get the offense going; however, quarterbacks Travis Dixon and Omar Clayton combined for only 121 yards passing and one touchdown through the air. The touchdown came with less than a minute left in the game and BYU up by 18 points.
Turnovers continue to plague this year’s Cougar offense, as Hall recorded a season-high three interceptions, and wide receiver Matt Allen lost a fumble. Tight end Vic So’oto fumbled the football after making a five-yard reception, but was able to recover.
Linebacker Brian Kehl recorded the second interception of his career late in the second quarter. BYU has a turnover margin of -1.17, which is the 106th out of 119 teams in college football’s FBS division (formerly Division 1-A).
Turnovers aside, Unga continues to shine for the Cougars.
“Harvey’s doing a nice job,” Coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “He’s continuing to grow and improve. He’s going to be a really talented running back.”
Unga is on track to gain 1,068 rushing yards and 1,742 all-purpose yards this season.
Kicker Mitch Payne added a 27-yard field goal, and So’oto caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Hall for the Cougars’ other scores.
BYU (4-2) will next play FCS division (formerly Division I-AA) Eastern Washington. The game will be in Provo, Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m. on the mtn. sports network. 
