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Show Sunday, September 9, 2007 D A I L HERALD Y D11 Ben Who? Hall proves lie's more than able Darnell Dickson and Jason Franchuk DAILY HERALD If nothing else, BYU fans may not be feeling so bad that Ben Olson isnt their quarterback. Olson won the game, but Max Hall continued to grow up in a hurry on the field in his second college start, a 7 loss at the Rose Bowl against UCLA. It was a naturally hyped match-up- , as both are transfer quarterbacks at schools that ' pride themselves mightily on the quality of their signal callers. And it bears mentioning (for the billionth time) that Olson went to school at BYU in 2002, 27-1- before going on an IDS mission in Canada and deciding to transfer upon completion. HaD, a sophomore, completed passes for 391 yards with two touchdowns. He did have an interception returned for a touchdown in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the junior Olson went 13-- f 8 for 126 yards. Olson's biggest advantage was that he also had a running game to lean oa UCLA had 110 yards, compared to 44 for the Cougars. or-2- The Olson also had one interception, by Kayle Buchanan on a tricky play in er which the receiver and a defender tripped on each other. Left 40 yards to the end zone, Hall followed up quickly by a scoring on the second play touch pass to Austin Collie in the back right corner , of the end zone that made the score 7 UCLA with 6:04 remaining in the third quarter. Hall couldn't capitalize any longer, though, as he had a fumble in scoring range early in the fourth quarter. Olson later took a lesson from last his first playing time year at UCLA after redshirting 2005 to put together a scoring drive that put away the Cougars with about a minute left. "He probably was in a similar game one year ago at Washington, where he didn't have the chance to make the final plays to engineer a drive," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said of a 9 loss in the season's third game (the Bruins scored 13 points in the opening quarter). "But he did that today, given the experience he had a year ago. Were there some spots in between where things could've been better? Sure, on both sides 20-1- 29-1- who appeared to have a more aggressive running style. He had offseason surgery to repair torn ligaments in his ankle and is working his way back into shape. The first game, against Arizona, Harvey Unga captured the attention of BYU fans with a game that earned him accolades as the Mountain West Conference's player of the week. Unga this time had just five carries (28 yards) as the UCLA defensive line, known for being stingy, allowed 44 yards on 25 carries. Through two games last year, Vakapuna had 17 carries and 117 yards, including 96 against Tulsa in the second game. Right now he's at UCLA was the toughest defense put in front of him in comparing those four games, but Vakapuna said it's still going to take time to get back to his old self. "I felt good, I think (the Bruins) were soft up front and we could've run more," Vakapuna Mendenhall didnt really said. "But right now I'm going Olson after taking the to go look at the film, see what job in December of 2004. He I did and didnt do to attack, said earlier this week that he talked to his father once, and a and we'll go from there. I think couple of assistants went to the it's as much mental as anyLos Angeles area to see him. thing, trusting myself to go after (a defense). But it's getting But it appeared Olson had his mind made up. there. I am feeling better." All may have worked out for both sides. Olson is leading I And if s good: A satisfying moment for BYUs sketchy a nationally ranked team (No. 13) that is special teams came at the end heading to Utah of the first half , when freshnext Saturday. man kicker Mitch Payne nailed and off to Tulsa, BYU, has a guy that continues to im- a attempt just before intermissioa prove. That, Mendenhall said, bodes well for the future. Payne missed his only prior "I thought it was gutty," he attempt, from 36 yards, in the said of Hall's performance. "He season opener against Arizona. made some plays down the He was cafled to the field in stretch that were critical I think somewhat disappointing fashion, his performance was reflective as BYU couklnt cash in on of the team. They fought and from the &yard line. But coaches believe that kick scrapped and battled until the end but just fell short in terms of could pay some dividends down the road, as there's little doubt our precision and execution" this season field goals will factor more heavily into games against I Still getting there: The Rose Bowl surface is sweet to play on, Mountain West Conference opthe kind of closely cropped field ponents than a year ago. that is a pleasure equally for lob Payne has battled lingering injuries, including a groin issue wedges and running backs. Fui Vakapuna compared it that kept him practicing minito Arizona's field a year ago. mally leading up the Bruins Too bad he also can't make the game. Late in the game, Brian Smith same comparison to his performance. handled kickoffs. Vakapuna continues to progI Big mistakes: BYU senior cenress, but had just 23 yards on nine carries. He doesn't yet ter Sete Aulai is from Carson, look like the Fui of last year , Calif., but had a pretty difficult of the bafl. We're going to continue to work on those things." Olson started the first five games last year before a knee injury. Hall has been the heir apparent to the graduated John Beck since spring camp ended, ll when head coach Bronco named him the starter. The estimated 20,000 BYU fans that made the trip had moments when it was obvious they enjoyed heckling Olson. But linebackers Bryan Kehl and David Nixon, who befriended him at college as freshmen, said it was good to see him. "I talked to Ben after the game but not much during it," Kehl said. "Then it was just all business. We were trying to beat him just like he was try- - ; ing to beat us." Kehl and Brett Denney each sacked Olson. Hall was knocked down four times. "My hat's off to Ben," Hall said. "He made the plays when he had to." Men-denha- 2-- 0 27-ya- al WUt mUyiH it with an America First Home Equity Loan? Finally get that surround sound Ji)) I system. B.uy that boat. Or add a third-ca- r garage. Ana witn a variety ot nome loan options, nexiDiuty, and potential tax advantages (ask your tax advisor), the America First Home Equity Loan is full of benefits. Plus you can access your home equity line of credit with Platinum Visa. So'stop imagining and start doing, with and America First Home Equity Loan. Visit your local branch, go to amerlcaflrit.com, or call FIRST AFRICA CMDIT UNIOM tfmkrs tut rtrA 1 .800-999-J9- 6 1 o homecoming. Aulai was tagged twice for holding and once for a personal foul on Saturday. "It was just me," Aulai said. "I was getting outside of myself and let them (UCLA) get into my head. On the holding calls ... I don't know. I just went down on fop of the other player and they called it. "I was trying to do too much. I was leading, but leading in the wrong way." f H I Tight control: BYTJs tight-encorps came through in a big way. Of Hall's 30 completions, nine went to the big fellas. Dennis Pitta had five for 66 yards d while Vk So'oto added one for 19. The surprise was Andrew George, who didn't catch a pass last year or against Arizona, but hauled in three for 62 yards on the Bruins. On BYUs opening drive of the second half, George had catches of 23 and 29 yards that set up a touchdown pass later to Austin Collie. "They're a big part of our offense," Hall said. ' : I A good day: Sept. 8 had been good to BYU against BCS conference teams.. The Cougars had won their past five against Press defeated BYU, 27-1- I Enjoy K while it lasts: BYU ' had the longest winning steak in country for a few hours. Boise State loss to Washington 24-1- 0 earlier Saturday, ending the Broncos' winning streak. BYUs streak ended at Pi with the loss to UCLA. , Here's the flag: BYU was hit with a holding call on opening kickoff return and finished with 11 penalties for 84 yards. Two were personal fouis one on Aulai and the other on junior receiver Michael Reed. That was a particularly costly penalty, Negating a pass play to Manase Tonga in the third quarter. BYU ended up punting on the series. UCLA was penalized four times for 30 yards. FRANCIS SPECKERAssociated Nathaniel Skaggs, left, tackles BYU quarterback Max Hall while he attempts a pass in the first half. Below, UCLA quarterback Ben Olson (7) joins in a team cheer after the Bruins UCLA's ftj . A Quinn Gooch was chosen by his teammates to qarry the " Y" flag onto the field before the game. ... BYU won the coin toss and Extra points: 2007 is the 25th elected to receive. ... Attendence anniversary of UCLA playing its was 72,986. ... Senior linebacker home games in the Rose BowL ... Bryan Kehl led BYU in tackles There were an estimated 20,000 with 1 1. Senior linebacker Kelly BYU fans in the south end of the Poppinga added eight tackles, Rose BowL ... BYU senior safety three for loss. Texas A&M (1979), Baylor (1984), Texas (1988), Miami (1990) and Cal (2001). |