INSIDE SLANT

From winning big to barely getting the job done, BYU knows one thing after the last two games: Consistency will be necessary in the final two weeks, starting with Air Force on Saturday.

The Cougars have won five consecutive meetings, and have been successful in large part because of a defense that has stifled the Falcons’ unusual option rushing attack. But BYU simply doesn’t have the same caliber of linebackers it has had in past seasons. That may play a role in effectiveness.

Otherwise, BYU should have a ton of athletic advantages. Those showed themselves against Wyoming (52-0) but barely enough in a 24-19 win at still-winless New Mexico last weekend.

BYU will play rival Utah over Thanksgiving weekend, but there’s absolutely no chance to look ahead.

Calling Air Force “totally different” than any other in the Mountain West, defensive end Jan Jorgensen knows that not stopping the academy attack early—as BYU failed to slow down UNM—could mean for another long day for the home team at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

“Especially as a defense, we need to get ready to get out there and be ready to battle for 60 minutes against those guys,” Jorgensen said.

NOTES, QUOTES

• A lot has been made this season about BYU’s new grass field, and how it’s been hard to play on, even in good weather. The Cougars went 6-0 on the road this year (finishing undefeated away from Provo for the first time since the national championship season 25 years ago) but home hasn’t been quite as sweet this year because of the playing surface.

“On the road, the turf’s not flying up,” quarterback Max Hall joked about why BYU has lost two games at home, and none away from it.

• QB Max Hall has 29 career wins as a starter for BYU. He is tied for the most in school history with Ty Detmer, who racked up 29 wins during his Heisman Trophy-winning career from 1988-91.

Hall tied the record with a decent-but-not-great showing at New Mexico, calling himself “absolutely disappointed” with the team’s 24-19 win against a team that was 0-9. A more convincing win this week, against a better opponent at home, would be a nice way to celebrate an achievement that will be hard to beat. Both he and Detmer were three-year starters—an uncommon experience at BYU.

Series History:   BYU leads Air Force, 23-6 (last meeting, 2008, 38-24, BYU).

Scouting The Offense:   QB Max Hall, following the New Mexico game, was cryptic in criticizing some teammates he felt weren’t practicing at a high enough level. Execution on both sides of the ball is especially important against assignment-savvy Air Force. BYU has had the Falcons’ number in the last five years, however, because of speedy receivers (like McKay Jacobson) and athletic tight ends (Dennis Pitta, Andrew George) who are mismatch nightmares for a physically limited academy. Bronco Mendenhall called Air Force’s defense “very innovative.”

Scouting The Defense:   DE Jan Jorgensen, toeing the line of criticizing an opponent, called the Falcons’ offense “dirty, but legal” in its methods of blocking. In the Mountain West, the Falcons are regularly called out (fair, or not) for their array of cut blocks, and Jorgensen for one is concerned about protecting himself against constant dives at the knees. BYU’s strength against Air Force has come from a strong array of linebackers, but the group is limited this year—especially now that Terrance Hooks is gone because of a season-ending knee injury suffered early at New Mexico.

Quote To Note:   “This might be good for us to wake up and realize we have to come to play every week. There are a few guys who need to practice and prepare better. We’ll pull those guys aside and do it.”—QB Max Hall, after a 24-19 win against New Mexico.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: BYU vs. Air Force, Nov. 21—The Cougars know they must be more disciplined to get this win. It’s one game in which time of possession can be a huge factor, several players say.

Keys To The Game:   The BYU offensive line needs to assert itself. The Cougars used a patchwork group at New Mexico, and it produced the worst rushing performance of the season. Starting RT Nick Alletto missed all but a few plays with a calf strain, starting LT Matt Reynolds left the game at one point with a back strain (he would return), and freshman backup Fono Vakalahi stayed home with academic issues. Braden Brown, a converted tight end, got his first start and played the entire game at right tackle.

“We are thin, but with Nick back and possibly some depth coming back, with Vakalahi, that gives us at least as good (depth) as we have had all year, at least in terms of bodies,” coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

He was most disappointed that, sometimes, the battles were simply man-on-man … and BYU’s blockers didn’t meet the challenge.

Players To Watch:  

RB Harvey Unga—Didn’t play in the fourth quarter against New Mexico because of an ankle injury. Unga had 50 yards, and is probable for the Air Force game. Late last year, he was hindered by injuries, too. He’s 21 yards away from becoming BYU’s all-time leading rusher, passing Curtis Brown.

S Scott Johnson—BYU’s defensive “quarterback” will have to decipher what the academy is doing, and get his guys closing the proper gaps. If Johnson’s making a lot of tackles, that’s not a good sign.

Roster Report:  

• LB Terrance Hooks suffered a season-ending knee injury (torn patella tendon) against New Mexico. He had the same injury, on his other leg, two years ago. Without Hooks, whom Bronco Mendenhall proclaims as one of his favorite players ever, the Cougars will have Shane Hunter back up Shawn Doman. Brandon Ogletree backs up Matt Bauman at the other inside linebacker spot.