From: "CougarFan.com" Subject: FB Pre-Game: Hawai'i -- Saturday 2:00 p.m. MST Date: 07 Dec 2001 17:18:59 -0700  
CougarFan.com FB Pre-Game:  Hawai'i -- Saturday 2:00 p.m. MST

 
Quick Facts
Team University of Hawai'i Warriors
Location Honolulu, HI
Day Saturday, 12/8/2001
Time 2:00 p.m. MST
TV ESPN2
Internet Radio  http://www.ksl.com/radio/listen/listen.php
Records BYU 12-0, Hawai'i 8-3
Last Meeting 1998:  BYU 31, Hawai'i 9
Weather Windy : high 82, low 72
Latest Line BYU by 3 points

 
Game Overview

BYU makes its first trip to Hawai'i in three years, and it may just be the most important game yet in Aloha Stadium for the Cougars.  Not long after UH President Kenneth Mortimer vowed that Hawai'i would never again play any of the teams that left the WAC to form the Mountain West Conference, the school was again scheduling games with BYU and Air Force.  This game will be a test for the Cougar offense, as Doak Walker award winner Luke Staley will be unable to play after breaking his leg last week at MSU.  Coach Crowton has closed practices all week, not wanting to tip his hand as to what he'll do to compensate for the loss of his star running back.  Staley was the third Cougar back to go down with a leg injury this year.

Defensively, the Cougars will be facing the most potent attack they've seen this year.  It will be up to Jernaro Gilford to keep up with Hawai'i star receiver Ashley Lelie.  The good news for the Cougar defense is that Gilford's leg has been feeling better, and the defensive line is probably as healthy as it's been since the beginning of the year.

Hawai'i has undergone quite a transformation since they last hosted BYU.  Like the Cougars, their uniforms have undergone some modifications in the last few years, and the Rainbow has been dropped from their mascot and logo.  More importantly, though, is the change on the field.  Coach June Jones left his head coaching job with the San Diego Chargers to take over a Hawai'i team that had gone winless in 1998 and sported a nation-worst 16-game losing streak.  In his first season, the Warriors went 9-3, and Jones became a state hero.  His miraculous recovery from a near-fatal car accident last February has people on the island believing that he is destined to lead the team to greatness.  So far, so good.  Known as an offensive mastermind (sound familiar?), he has installed a run-and-shoot offense similar to the one that inflicted such damage on BYU in the late 1980's.  Running backs Mike Bass and Thero Mitchell make a capable rushing duo, but Hawai'i inflicts most of its damage through the air, thanks to quarterback Nick Rolovich.  A two-time JUCO All-American, he lost his starting spot early last year when he started the season 0-3, but when Timmy Chang was injured earlier this season, he stepped in and hasn't looked back since.  He's worked a lot of second-half magic this season, bringing his team back to thrilling wins several times, and is 7-1 as a starter this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Hawai'i has been interesting.  At times, they've looked all-world, but in several games they have given up big chunks of yards, especially on the ground (sound familiar again?).  The most recent example was when they inauspiciously gave up a school record 545 yards rushing to Air Force two weeks ago.  Their worst defensive games have come at home, but maybe that's because they only have three away games this season.  All told, this game could be an offensive explosion.
 
 
Implications

BYU can finish the regular season undefeated for the third time in school history.  Also, not to be too dramatic, but this game and the Cougars' entire 2001 season could play a huge part in the future of college football.  An undefeated BYU team that's held out of a BCS bowl could be a key in the argument for a post-season playoff system.

Hawai'i wants to win for so many reasons. . . they won't be going to a bowl game, so this is their swan song for the year.  However, the BYU game is always a bowl game for Hawai'i.  Sitting at 3-0 vs. non-conference teams, the Warriors would love to stay perfect in that area.  Also, the outcome of this game could sway some big-time recruits from the Island toward one school or the other.
 
 
Players to Watch

BYU

#20, Reno Mahe (WR) -- The guy is all heart, and he's sure to be fired up for this game.  He has over 1000 receiving yards, he averages 15 yards per carry on reverses, and actually has the best pass efficiency on the team (242.8 -- he's 1 for 1 for 17 yards).  Watch for him to do whatever it takes to pull out a win on Saturday.

#38, Matt Payne (PK) -- He has been Mr. Consistency since the Utah State game, and he sealed the win over Mississippi State with his business-like last-second field goal.  Here's to continued success (and points. . .).

#92, Ryan Denney (DE) -- He and Brett Keisel will be called on to put pressure on Rolovich.  A strong pass rush will be essential to disrupting the Warriors' offensive flow.

Hawai'i

#12, Nick Rolovich (QB) -- Though he's not much of a scrambler, he's gotten better and better as the season has progressed, and threw for a personal best of 505 yards to go along with his 5 TDs two weeks ago against Air Force.  Just lucky?  I don't think so.  The week before, he threw for 500 yards and a school record 7 TDs against Miami of Ohio.

#8, Ashley Lelie (WR) -- This All-American candidate is 6'3 and runs a 4.25 40 yard dash.  June Jones has coached nine Pro-Bowl receivers in the NFL, and he says that Lelie is as good as any of them.  Averaging 132 yards per game, he's tops in the WAC and ranks third nationally.

#17, Kelvin Millhouse (DB) -- An athletic sophomore from Mater Dei high school in California, he has a team-high five interceptions on the year, including one that he ran back 68 yards for a touchdown.
 
 
Records to Watch

BYU holds an ongoing NCAA record of 336 consecutive games without being shut out.

BYU can go 13-0 for only the second time in school history -- the other was 1984, when the Cougars won the national championship.

Brandon Doman can become the first BYU quarterback to record wins in his first 15 starts.
 
 
Injury Report

BYU

Luke Staley (RB) -- He suffered a broken fibula in his left leg while driving the Cougars into field goal range to win the Mississippi State game.  He's out for 3-6 weeks, and may be able to play in the Liberty Bowl on December 31st.

Hawai'i

Piso Tinoisamoa (LB) -- He may be back in the starting lineup after missing nearly a month with a stress fracture to his right fibula.  The team tackles leader before his injury, he was expected to miss the rest of the season, but returned to practice this week.

Matt Wright (LB) -- This junior, who returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown against UTEP, is doubtful with a sprained left knee.

Travis LaBoy (DE) -- This 6'5" transfer from Utah State is doubtful for tomorrow, as he is nursing a sprained left ankle.
 
 
Statistics

Team Statistics (National Ranking, Statistic)
 
 
BYU
Hawaii
Category
Rank 
Stat
Rank 
Stat
Total Offense (yds/g)
 1
 537.1
 12
 446.0
Total Defense (yds/g)
 95
 432.1
 85
  415.3
Scoring Offense (pts/g)
 1
46.9
 7
37.4
Scoring Defense (pts/g)
 72
27.0
 54
24.8
Rushing Offense (yds/g)
 9
 227.9
 114
 79.4
Rushing Defense (yds/g)
 102
 211.2
 85
 189.6
Passing Offense (yds/g)
9
 309.2
 2
 366.6
Passing Defense (yds/g)
 60
 220.9
 67
 225.6
Passing Defense (efficiency)
31
 111.0
 48
115.9
Turnover Margin
 18
+0.75
 22
+0.64
Punt Returns (yds/ret)
 72
 8.7
 53
9.7
Kickoff Returns (yds/ret)
31
22.4
 1
28.2
Net Punting (yds/punt)
 74
34.5
 16
38.3

Individual Statistics - Players in the Top 50 Nationally
 
 Category  Player
Rank
 Statistic
BYU
Rushing Luke Staley
 3
  143.8 yds/g
Passing Efficiency  Brandon Doman
7
  161.1 rating
Total Offense Brandon Doman
 5
  314.8 yds/g
Receptions Reno Mahe
 19
  6.4 rec/g
Receiving Yards Reno Mahe
24
  85.8 yds/g
Interceptions  Jernaro Gilford
 13
  0.5 ints/g
Kickoff Returns Mike Rigell
40
  23.9 yds/ret
Scoring Luke Staley
 1
  15.5 pts/g
Matt Payne
24
  8.3 pts/g
All-Purpose Yds Luke Staley
5
 168.2 yds/g
Hawaii
Passing Efficiency  Nick Rolovich
21
  161.1 rating
Total Offense Nick Rolovich
7
  311.9 yds/g
Receptions Ashley Lelie
12
  6.9 rec/g
  Channon Harris
45
  5.3 rec/g
Receiving Yards Ashley Lelie
3
  131.9 yds/g
Interceptions Kelvin Millhouse
16
  .45 ints/g
Kickoff Returns Chad Owens
4
  31.0 yds/ret
Field Goals Justin Ayat
8
  1.6 fgs/g
Scoring Ashley Lelie
13
  9.3 pts/g
  Justin Ayat
17
  9.0 pts/g
All-Purpose Yds Ashley Lelie
21
  131.9 yds/g

Hypothetical Game
(If the the teams played an exactly average game)
 
BYU 
 UH 
Score
36
32
Total Offense (yds)
476
439
Rushing Offense (yds)
209
145
Passing Offense (yds)
  267
294
Turnovers
2
2

Fan Picks from the Football Challenge

94% of you picked BYU to win this week.
The average score was BYU 37, Hawaii 21.
 
 
National Rankings

BYU and Opponents
 
 AP
Coaches
BCS*
 Result
BYU
9
8
12
 -
Tulane
-
-
100
 W: 70-35
Nevada
-
-
95
 W: 52-7
Cal
-
-
89
 W: 44-16
UNLV
-
-
78
 W: 35-31
Utah State
-
-
94
 W: 54-34
New Mexico
-
-
69
 W: 24-20
Air Force
-
-
79
 W: 63-33
SDSU
-
-
90
 W: 59-21
Colorado St.
-
-
50
 W: 56-34
Wyoming
-
-
101
 W: 41-34
Utah
-
38
41
 W: 24-21
Mississippi St.
-
-
67
 W: 41-38
Hawaii
41
-
55
 Sat, Dec 8

* BCS = Bowl Championship Series, a composite ranking including the other polls mentioned here.  This ranking is used to determine the #1 versus #2 bowl matchups.
 
 
Go Cougs!

 
 

Copyright 1999-2001, CougarFan.com

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "CougarFan.com" Subject: FB Pre-Game: Louisville -- Monday 2:00 p.m. MST Date: 31 Dec 2001 12:25:34 -0700  
CougarFan.com FB Pre-Game:  Louisville -- Monday 2:00 p.m. MST

 
Quick Facts
Team Louisville Cardinals
Location Memphis, TN
Day Monday, 12/31/2001
Time 2:00 p.m. MST
TV ESPN
Internet Radio  http://www.ksl.com/radio/listen/listen.php
Records BYU 12-1, Louisville 10-2
Last Meeting First ever meeting
Weather Partly cloudy : high 35, low 21
Latest Line Louisville by 2.5 points

 
Game Overview

BYU will play in its 23rd bowl game today as it takes on Louisville in the 43rd annual Liberty Bowl.  The Cougs are still hurting from a 72-45 loss at Hawaii that spoiled an otherwise perfect season, and how they will bounce back emotionally could be the determining factor in this game.  The other big question that the Cougs have to answer is who their running back will be.  With virtually everybody who has played the position this year injured, Coach Crowton has considered moving some defensive players with high school running back experience across the line.  The Cougs will also try to polish up their passing game, as six of Brandon Doman's eight interceptions have come in his last five games.  Defensively, retiring line coach Tom Ramage will try to rally his troops for one last campaign to prove the naysayers wrong.

Louisville is led by former Utah State coach John L. Smith, who will be trying to get his first bowl win in four tries at the helm of the Cardinals' program.  He has implemented a balanced approach of football, and has a strong defense to complement his powerful offense.  Quarterback Dave Ragone has done a great job of following in the footsteps of Chris Redmond, who was among the elite quarterbacks in the nation before making his way to the NFL last year.  The Cardinals converted on nearly 43% of their third downs this season, and were efficient and business-like in going undefeated in conference play until a surprising loss to TCU in their final game of the season.  Their only other loss was to 10-1 Illinois.
 
 
Implications

BYU can either finish as the only team in the nation with 13 wins, or slide to a miserable two-game losing streak at the end of one of those "woulda, coulda, shouda" seasons.

Louisville has taken big steps to turning a traditionally strong basketball school into a football power as well, and a win today would go a long way to establishing the program as a legitimate big-time team.
 
 
Players to Watch

BYU

#4, Jernaro Gilford (CB) -- It will be up to him to slow down the Cardinals' star receiver, Deion Branch.

#11, Brandon Doman (QB) -- He'll need to play smart ball control offense to keep the chains moving against a good defense.

#20, Reno Mahe (WR) -- You know he'll be called on to carry a big part of the load today.  Here's hoping his body can keep up with his heart.

#86, Doug Jolley (TE) -- He and the other tight ends will play a big part in the offensive attack today.

Louisville

#9, Deion Branch (WR) -- He's been Ragone's main target this year, and barely missed setting the school's single-season receiving record.

#15, Dave Ragone (QB) -- A big, strong-armed quarterback at 6'4", 240 lbs., he has thrown for over 3,000 yards this year while passing for 23 TDs and only 7 interceptions.  In his last six games, his ratio is 13 TDs to 1 INT.  He's battling a slight case of the flu today.

#80, Zek Parker (WR) -- He holds the school record with over 2,000 kick return yards.  He could be dangerous.

#99, Dewayne White (DE) -- This sophomore earned C-USA defensive player of the year honors while recording 15 sacks on the season.
 
 
Records to Watch

BYU holds an ongoing NCAA record of 337 consecutive games without being shut out.

Brandon Doman can finish his college career with the best winning percentage of any quarterback in BYU's history.
 
 
Injury Report

BYU

Brandon Doman (QB) -- The broken ribs he suffered at Hawaii are mostly healed, and he's expected to be close to 100%.

Reno Mahe (WR) -- He will play despite a slow-healing knee that he injured at Hawaii.

Mike Nielsen (RB) -- He was thought to be done for the season when he broke his leg in the season-opening game vs. Tulane, but he may be able to play today.  If he does, he won't be eligible to apply for a medical hardship redshirt that would allow him to play next year.

Paul Peterson (RB) -- He will play with a rubberized cast on the left wrist that he broke at Hawaii.

Luke Staley (RB) -- His broken fibula was healing well, but ligament damage in his left ankle will prevent him from playing.  His days in a Cougar uniform are over.

Ned Stearns (RB) -- Exact same scenario as Paul Peterson.
 

Louisville

Damien Dorsey (WR) -- He's out with a toe injury.

Victor Green (WR) -- He's expected to miss the game because of an injury to his hand.
 
 
Statistics

Team Statistics (National Ranking, Statistic)
 
 
BYU
Louisville
Category
Rank 
Stat
Rank 
Stat
Total Offense (yds/g)
 1
 542.9
 57
 382.0
Total Defense (yds/g)
 102
448.5
 35
  338.6
Scoring Offense (pts/g)
 1
46.7
 30
30.5
Scoring Defense (pts/g)
 85
30.5
 10
17.8
Rushing Offense (yds/g)
 13
 217.9
 86
 122.1
Rushing Defense (yds/g)
 95
 202.9
 46
 139.3
Passing Offense (yds/g)
7
 325.0
 28
 259.9
Passing Defense (yds/g)
 88
 245.7
 40
 199.3
Passing Defense (efficiency)
57
 120.1
 18
105.0
Turnover Margin
 27
+0.54
 18
+0.67
Punt Returns (yds/ret)
 73
 8.7
 19
12.0
Kickoff Returns (yds/ret)
28
22.5
39
21.7
Net Punting (yds/punt)
 93
33.0
 55
35.6

Individual Statistics - Players in the Top 50 Nationally
 
 Category  Player
Rank
 Statistic
BYU
Rushing Luke Staley
 5
  131.8 yds/g
Passing Efficiency  Brandon Doman
7
  159.7 rating
Total Offense Brandon Doman
 7
  307.5 yds/g
Receptions Reno Mahe
 9
  7.0 rec/g
Receiving Yards Reno Mahe
18
  93.2 yds/g
Interceptions  Jernaro Gilford
 15
  0.5 ints/g
Kickoff Returns Mike Rigell
40
  23.8 yds/ret
Scoring Luke Staley
 1
  14.2 pts/g
Matt Payne
21
  8.4 pts/g
All-Purpose Yds Luke Staley
10
 155.2 yds/g
Louisville
Passing Efficiency  Dave Ragone
21
  143.5 rating
Total Offense Dave Ragone
20
  260.2 yds/g
Receptions Deion Branch
24
  6.0 rec/g
Receiving Yards Deion Branch
11
  99.0 yds/g
Interceptions Laroni Gallishaw
27
  .42 ints/g
Field Goals Nathan Smith
44
  1.1 fgs/g

Hypothetical Game
(If the the teams played an exactly average game)
 
BYU 
 UL 
Score
32
31
Total Offense (yds)
441
415
Rushing Offense (yds)
179
163
Passing Offense (yds)
  262
253
Turnovers
2
2

 
 
National Rankings

BYU and Opponents
 
 AP
Coaches
BCS*
 Result
BYU
19
17
20
 -
Tulane
-
-
100
 W: 70-35
Nevada
-
-
93
 W: 52-7
Cal
-
-
89
 W: 44-16
UNLV
-
-
79
 W: 35-31
Utah State
-
-
95
 W: 54-34
New Mexico
-
-
69
 W: 24-20
Air Force
-
-
80
 W: 63-33
SDSU
-
-
91
 W: 59-21
Colorado St.
-
-
52
 W: 56-34
Wyoming
-
-
101
 W: 41-34
Utah
-
-
44
 W: 24-21
Mississippi St.
-
-
68
 W: 41-38
Hawaii
26
27
31
 L: 45-72
Louisville
23
22
27
 Mon, Dec 31

 
 
Go Cougs!

 
 

Copyright 1999-2001, CougarFan.com

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