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Show /port/ B2 MONDAY-SEPTEMBER 12*2005 Y this again? After promising big changes this year, the fans are still waiting Morgan Vance Sports Editor New coach, new uniforms, new system, but Cougar fans saw nothing but the same old story last Saturday in a 20-3 season opening loss to Boston College. A story that included an offense unable tofindthe end zone and one hampered by numerous penalties throughout. But despite all that went wrong, new head coach Bronco Mendenhall was quick to praise the #22 ranked Golden Eagles. "Boston College is an exceptional football team. Exactly as we saw on film is how they played today. They don't make many mistakes, they execute well, they're well coached and worthy to be where they're ranked right now." However tough BC's defense was, BYU had many opportunities throughout; none bigger than with 9 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. Down 17-3, the Cougars faced a 4th and two from the Eagle 35 yard line. But Mendenhall was faced with a decision, and BYU's new coach decided in the moment to defy the crowd and punt. "It was a mistake," Bronco was quick to admit after. "I wouldn't do it again." New BYU punter, Derek McLaughlin, then sent the ball into the end zone, erasing a prime opportunity to eat into the Boston College lead. QB John Beck put up big numbers during the afternoon, completing 41-of-60 passes for 330 yards and no interceptions, but it was moving the ball when it counted that BYU struggled. V ' ^ e l° s t c a u s e w e didn't convert • J t on 3rd down and in the blue zone t . j l (which is typically referred to as the red zone)," Beck said. "Anytime you want to sustain drives and score points, you have to convert in those situations. We always put ourselves in 3rd and long which is always low percentage." And then there were the penalties. Ten for a total of 85 yards to be exact, some of which Wolverine Wisdom / just read about Gabe Smart's resignation in the College Times. You have any additional insights on that? Larry, Lindon Not really, other than the fact that she will be missed. I remember one time I was Having a really bad day, and Gabe was the only person that passed me in the halls to ask me if there was something wrong. I always appreciated that. When I found out it was official she was leaving, I did nothing but listen to Barry Manilow records and ponder my life. On the other hand, I see Coach Wagar picking up nicely right where she left off. Courtesy Photo/BYU Athletics Running back Fahu Tahi and teammate Curtis Brown, will need help from the O-line if BYU hopes to improve. I just took a look at the upcoming men's basketball schedule. Arizona St- not bad. What do you think? Rhonda, Orem Actually, you can thank the baseball team for that one. Last May's upset of the then 17th ranked Sun Devils in Tempe prompted some discussion that the two schools ought to get together again. Of course it doesn't take a genius to know that ASU just wants some revenge. But could you imagine Rhonda? Oh Rhonda, help me Rhonda... if we beat them again at their place; the roof is coming down. It's possible; remember, no more Ike Diogu. Owlz climb to the top FromOWU-B1 in the Southern Division) with an 18-20 record in the league's first half. But the Pioneer League season is divided into two halves, which means that the winners of the first half play the winners of the second. For Orem, there was still hope. But to start half two, wiping the slate clean didn't seem to help the Owlz play with any more enthusiasm then they did to start the year. But the game oftentimes comes down to late season momentum, and the team's pitching staff has come through with a league best 4.10 ERA. Jose Arredondo, Daniel Hawkins and John Sullivan all have five wins under their belt, and reliever Mike Pete has posted a 2-1 record with a 1.03 ERA. Kevin Got to be honest, I once shot Lynch, who has appeared briefly with the California Angel's a Wolverine up in the Yukon of Anaheim's triple and double-A units this year, has been Territories. Always regretted lights out almost every time he takes the mound, posting an ERA of 1.82 with a total of nine saves to his credit. it though. "The scouts are the ones who sign the players, you just play Stan, Pleasant Grove the hand you're dealt, and this year it's pitching," Kotchman said. "Every year is different. You've got to have the players Yeah, that's just wrong. Why who have the makeup, and they better have work ethic." you telling me this Stan. The Owlz continue that work ethic this week as they begin a You're a sick man, Stan. whole new season (the playoffs) at home against Ogden. took the blue jerseys out of field goal range. "Penalties, holding penalties, just miscues on our part as it relates to execution, I think ultimately was the theme of the day," Mendenhall said. In the first half, BC struck first at the end of the opening quarter. After a 25-yard toss from QB Quinton Porter to Will Blackmon to get themselves into scoring position, Porter connected with his TE Chris Miller with a 14yard TD strike in the middle of the end zone. BYU had a chance to capitalize late in the 2nd, but McLaughlin had a 48-yard FG blocked. With under a minute to play in the half, Porter wasted little time in connecting with Jason Lilly on a 35-yard pass to the far sideline. Kicker Ryan Ohliger connected on a 39-yard FG just two plays later. The quick sequence of events resulted in a 6-point switch in favor of Boston College to give them a 100 halftime lead. Though McLaughlin was able to connect himself on a 35-yarder in the 3rd, Porter later found Miller in the end zone for a second time early in the 4th, this one for 6 yards. Though Beck had a successful outing finding receivers, the Golden Eagle's secondary didn't let Beck have any success going deep. Standout receiver Todd Watkins caught two balls for 19 yards, but never was able to bring in the big one downfield. "Anytime you start a new offense, you have to give and take a little bit. You're going to make some mistakes obviously, but we just didn't execute," Watkins said. Though they came away victorious, Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien knew what a challenge it was to get a victory in Prove "We're very happy to escape with a victory. This is a very difficult place to play, especially to think you can hold them to three points. "If we don't run- our offense perfectly, it's going to be hard to score," Watkins said. "We have to be consistent all the way down the field, not just for three plays." Knowing that BYU's offense managed 22 total first downs with only three points to show for it, Watkins may have a point. Morgan Vance ponders UVSC's low athletic event attendence ent Wolverine venues). And though men's basketball averaged only 1,400 last year in an incredibly sharp arena that has the potential to seat 8,500, I have to give those credit who came out to see Ronnie Price say goodbye during last season's homecoming win over Northern Colorado. The problem was, those same folk failed to come out and say "hello" at the beginning of the year when Utah Valley crushed Boise St; or to offer a "how ya doing," in the middle of the season when the basketball team pulled off a thrilling victory over Idaho State. Athletic spirit is a major component to any school. Maybe Wolverine fans need a football team or this place to actually be called a University before they start reversing the present trend. The volleyball team couldn't knock off the Jayhawks, but they atur<lay 2 0 0 s definitely came to play. Com® ing back to take game two against a very talented team j n p| ea , ant Qtm UT. Only 15 even happened to impress me minutes from Prow. Free dance with several exciting heartpounding rallies throughout. OT AS. ISM. lesson. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.Lucky for many, they've $2.00 with this ad & student I.D. Call or text 226-3040 still got 11 home games left on their schedule (including More info at wvw.tfesterndance.0r9 Expires 10/05/05 one against the University of Utah on Sep. 20). The horse just flinched, but again it's dead; haven't we already established that? Shoot, what do I know; maybe you can bring a dead horse back to life. I know the soccer team hosts Southern Utah pretty soon. tion wasn't established by an outstanding average G.P.A. It was all dependent on how jungle. A few years ago, a Big-12 their football and basketball school such as the University teams were doing. They eiof Kansas making the trip ther beat their rival on Friall the way to Utah County day night and earned respect, to play a school other than or they didn't. We all know BYU, would have been ludi- what we thought about that crous to even consider. Well, one school that went 0-11 evit just happened and many ery year. let a golden opportunity to Has UVSC been winning see it for themselves slip recently? They shouldn't be by. History has, and is being if you really stop and think made here with athletics tak- about it, but they have been. ing enormous strides in the And the invitation appears to competitive world of NCAA. be there for many of you to Strides that other aspiring Di- join the exciting transitional vision One colleges have, and ride. are taking years to make. There's always exceptions; But I think it simply boils one being that almost too down to a pride issue. The passionate group called the spirit ferry obviously hasn't Rowdies who have consisswept over the campus. Go tently shown up and brought back to high school. Let's the noise (making up for ofbe real; a school's reputa- ten vacant sections of differFrom RANT • B1 Western (Dancing •T • -Mobile authorized dealer MOTOROLA NOKIA 6010 RAZERV3 • Color screen 19999 AFTER $100INSTOtt REBATE. r«quf*d. \aan oat tndudtd RCWilley. Rrverdalo/Ogd«n 4045 S. Rivwdole Rood 622-7400 Or«m 40 E. UnwMly PKV/V 227-8600 Murray Taytorsvills/W. Valley South Sort Laic* 2301 S. 300 W. 461-3800 Syracu*« 1693 W. 2700 5. 774-2800 3915 W, 4700 S. Sports Desk (801) 863-8603 L 967-4800 861 E. 6600 S. 261 6300 Visit us online at www.netxnews.net Send story ideas to smiggs86@hotmail.com |