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Show Friday, August 29, 2008 ; TheSalt Lake Tribune COLLEGE FOOTBALL_ BYU GAME REPORT GIST GeorgiaTech BYU 67 0 0—13 70 14 3—24 1ST QUARTER Georgia Tech 3, BYU 0 15 ............ First downs . 23-96 . . Rushes-yards 147 : . Passing 15-24-1 Comp-Att-int 3-417 . Punts i Description: The senior has no problem with his, 2-33. +42. Punt returns-yards Kickoff returns-yards 3-28 1-31 2-1...... Interception returns-yards 10 85 . vee SACKS yee ee 4-24 . ss... Fumbles-Lost AB 982 ..........Penalties-Yards 16-32 20:54 Time of Possession . 39:06 STATISTICS Tech, 16-57, Ball 5-39, Smith 1-2, team 1-(minus 2). BYU, Brathwaite 1361, Vakapuna 3-30, Wilkerson 1-12, Tahi 6-6, halen 1-3, team 1-(minus 3), Berry 5-(minus 8), Beck 2(minus 15). PASSING—Georgia Tech, Ball 15-24-1 147 BYU, Berry 31-46-1 276, Beck 0-1-1 0 RECEIVING—Georgia Tech, Smith 9-121, Foschi 3-14, Curry 1-8, Dixon 1-4, Thomas 1-0. BYU, Coats 6-93, Christensen 6-51, Hale 4-34, Jory 4-24, Tahi 4-9, Wilkerson 3-37, Kukahiko 2-25, Vakapuna 2-3. MISSED FIELD GOAL—Payne (WL) TheSalt Lake Tribune GT — FG Dan Burnett 268:49. first field goalin college. @ Drive:Six plays, 30 yards, 2:12. @ Key play: Reggie Ball 33 run to BYU 4 BYU 7, Georgia Tech 3 GT — Danie! Coats 38 pass from Matt Berry (Matt Payne kick)5:07 @ Description:On fourth down, Coats hauls in a floater over the middie and then does a dance that nets unsportsmaniike penalty. I Drive: Nine plays, 80 yards, 3:42. Wi Key piay: Toby Christensen 13 pass from Berry on 3/9. BYU 7, Georgia Tech 6 GT — FG Burnett 39, 2:47. DEFENSE — A With 11 starters returning on defense, Bronco Mendenhall walked into a great situation. Each time the defense needed a big play, the Cougars came up with. Although it was against a freshman quarterback, the secondary looked great. SPECIAL TEAMS BKicker Matt Payne is far better than he showed. The linemen might want to block on punt situations. drive. Wi Drive: Seven plays, 38 yards, 2:21. @ Key piay: Johnathan Smith 32 pass from Ball 2ND QUARTER Georgia Tech 13, BYU 7 GT — Nathan Burton 18 return of blocked punt (Burnett kiek)10:50. @ Description: Kenny Scott runs up the middle to block Payne's punt attempt and was scooped up by Burton. BYU — Coats 15 pass from Berry (Payne kieck)11:12. @ Description: Berry has tons of time to Coats all alone in the middle of the end zone. i Drive: Seven plays, 80 yards, 3:48. i Key piay: Rod Wilkerson 17 pass from Berry. BYU 21, Georgia Tech 13 BYU — Christensen 14 pass from Berry (Payne kick) 5:55 @ Description: Christensen makes a diving catch on the right side of the end zone and stays inbounds. @ Drive: Nine plays, 42 yards, 3:31 BYU 24, Georgia Tech 13 BYU — FG Payne 24, 2:32 @ Description: Payne did not look good this game, @ Forget any quarterback controversy. The @ Drive: Sixteen plays, 86 yards, 6:13. @ Key play: Jason Kukahiko 10 pass from Berry on BYU sophomore was third-and-10. experienced quarterback. but he got this one. The Salt Lake Tribune PROVO Feet planted, arms outstretched, hips swiveling: Cougar fans might want to remember Daniel Coats’ first touchdown dance. Because they’re not likely to see it again. “He’s a freshman. | told him after he did that, ‘OK, fine, you’re a freshman,’ “ said Brigham Young coach Gary Crowton of Coats’ impromptu end zonecele- bration. “I expect you in the end zone a lot — so no more of those during your career here.” Couldn’t blame the guy for a OF THE GAME Clinging to a one-point lead, BYU faced a third-and-7 at Georgia Tech's 14-yard line. Matt Berry lofted a pass that appeared to be destined for the grass, but Toby Christensen extended his body parallel to the ground to make a spectacular touchdown catch. With the breathing room, the Cougars were never seriously threatened again. Jolley, Itula Mili, NFL veterans all, have handled the job recently. Coats put on the necessary weight, and now loomslarge at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. And judging by his debut six catches for 93 yards against Georgia Tech, and a second touchdown early in the third quarter on a 15-yard floater from Berry — he’s passed the other test, too. “I’m getting a lot more mismatches [at tight end] than I was getting outside. I’ve got a little bit of speed for [beating] linebackers.” So the switch has been worth little happy feet, though. Not it only was the play an up-themiddle, over-the-shoulder grab that Coats brought down in perfect stride for a 38-yard touchdown his first career score. Not only was it his first career catch. Not only was it BYU’s first points in a 24-13 season-opening victory over Georgia Tech, and on fourth-and-three, noless. For Coats, it also signaled his arrival in a new position. Coats was a Tribuneall-state wide receiver at Northridge High, and pictured himself streaking to the end zone as a Cougar wide receiver. But when he arrived in Provo, Crowton and his staff made the teen aware of a sobering reality: He’s not quick enough to be an elite receiver. But size? That he’sgot. The Cougars told Coats to take a year off as a redshirt, with a specific assignment: Bulk up and move over. Crowton sold Coats on the opportunity to move to tight end, a position that has somethingof a tradition at BYU of its own. Chad Lewis, Doug easy. — not that the year off was “Tt was extremely hard sitting out. [t just killed me,” Coats said. “It’s kind of hard feeling like you'repart of the team when you sit in the stands.” He would rather dance in the end zone, like he did Thursday. Though it’s all a blur to him now. “It was my first college game. I don’t rememberhalf ofit,” he said. On the fourth-down play in the first quarter, he thought the ball was headed for receiver Toby Christensen, so he simply streaked straight ahead, leaving a trailing safety several steps behind. “Next thing I knew, I was open, and the ball was in my hands.” And the emotion of the moment was in his hips andfeet, in a move Berry quickly nicknamed “D-Sizzle.” “I was just tired in the end zone, but I had to do something special,” Coats said. The Cougars figure there is plenty more special moves to come. pmilier@sltrib.com EAUiss 7 and play with confidence. We don't want to but he’s not about to tum into a chicken INJURY REPORT Matt Berry's 38-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Coats Fahu Tahi also barely picked up first down on a fourth-and-1. Taful Vakapuna caught a 4-yard pass on fourth down BYUopened the game with a multiple receiver set and no running backs “| don't want to start out being very conservative,” Crowton said. ‘Tm not that by nature. From an offensive standpoint, we whal to be aggressive and try to take it to them jersey though not the number itself. Standingat the 50-yard line of LaVell Edwards Stadium “the place where I became the man that I am today,” he said Young heard testimonials from wife Barb a diamond pendantin the shape of No. 8. Then, with the 60,000-plus crowdlistening all but Young’s 2-year-old son Braeden, who was doing somersaults on the stadium turf Young thanked the school and the LDS Church, but also the team’s football fans. “{ can’t tell you how much I wanted to win for you,” Young said. Cougars: Coats scores two TDs the game, which the most serious involving Marcus Whalen. After only one carry, the junior running back suffered what could be a ignificant firmly in control, BYU scored on its first two possessions of the second half. Berry capped an 80yard drive with a 15-yard touch- down pass to tight end Daniel Coats. “We really got in sync,” said Berry, who completed 31-of-46 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars caught a break after the touchdown, as Kenny Scott misplayed the kickoff and got drilled at Georgia Tech’s 5yard line. After Georgia Tech’s three plays and a 38-yard punt, the Cougars rolled 43 yards on nine plays to take a 21-13 lead. Toby Christensen hauled in Berry’s diving catch. “Normal receivers are fast enough to catch it in stride, but I’m not, so I had to dive,” Christensen said. The possession included BYU’s third consecutive fourthdown conversion. The Cougars were successful twice on fourth downsinthe first half. BYU hit the jackpot on the first fourth-down gamble. On fourth-and-3, Berry floated a pass over the middle that Coats hauled in for a 38-yard touchdown in thefirst quarter. “Coach Crowton has lot of faith in us,” Berry said. “That was something we didn’t dolast year, make it on third and fourth downs.” Berry’s second pass of the season was reminiscent of last foot injury He left the field for X-rays and did not retum to the game. “it might be something that could keep him out a couple of games,” Crowton said. Crowton also reported injuries to comerbacks Jernaro Gilford (hand) and Brandon Heaney (shoulder) and tight end Daniel Coats (knee). Heaney and Coats both attended the posigame press conference and didn't think they would miss any games. « Pam Fat GutON/ The Salt Lake Tribune BYU's Rodney Wilkerson can't hold on to ball as Georgia Tech's Jonathan Cox gets his hand in on the play. year. On third-and-2, he was picked off by Reuben Houston. Freshman quarterback Reggie Ball scrambled 33 yards on a broken play to set up Georgia Tech’s field goal. The Yellow Jackets kicked anotherfield goal in the first quarter, mounting their only true drive of the game. Twice in the fourth quarter, BYU’s defense caused turnovers deep in its own territory to thwart a possible Georgia Tech comeback. Aaron Francisco recovered a fumble, and Jon Monson: questions chance by causing and recovering a fumble at the Cougar11. At the 8:42 markofthe fourth, Jon Burbidge’s interception stunted another GTdriveat the remain forY. BYU 7. e Continued from B1 Cougars got it back for a 5yard loss on his second. He threw a pick on his third snap. Good night, for now, JB. Junk item No. 4: Did Crowton acquire a deft touch in handling his quarterback rotation, or is he still wearing last season’s clumsy, oversized oven mitts? Helearned his lesson, leaving Beck on the bench after that one dose of misery. Junk item No. 5: Did new BYU defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall’s wacky3-35 scheme confuse Georgia Tech or, rather, confuse itself? The Cougar D was quiet, though efficient, giving upjust one touchdown. Onthe whole, it was hardly the nut house people expected. Early in the fourth quarter, BYU up by eight, Men denhall’s defenders stopped a key Georgia Tech scoring Junk item No. 6: How can BYU retire Steve Young’sjersey as it did during halftime ceremonies Thursday night with out retiring his number, too? It’s a mystery to nearly everyone, except athletic director Val Hale, who explained BYU’s position thusly: “Someof the coachesin the past have said that if we retired the numbers, we wouldn’t have enough for the team. So, we’re honoring him by doing it this way.” Wouldn’t it have provided more impact andcarried more meaning if Berry, who wears No. 8, had shuttled out of the locker room andover to Young during the proceedings on the field and dramatically torn off his jersey and handed it to Young to pay proper homage, all to rousing applause? Geez,retire the number, for crying out loud. Anythingelse is a charade, or worse, a pile ofpublic relations BS. Junk item No. 7: When will BYUseeanother quarterback as Burbidge intercepted a pass. “We really didn’t Know what to expect,” Burbidge said. “All we knew is wego as hard as we can and good things will happen.” BYU’s special teams struggled in the first half. Besides Matt Payne missing a 28-yard field goal attempt, the Cougars also gaveup a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. Racing straight up the middle, Scott blocked the ball, which Nathan Burton scooped and ran into the end zone. “We'll correct a lot of things,” Crowtonsaid. As expected, John Beck got in for a series early in the second quarter. The freshman quarter back might not seethe field any time soon. On Beck’s first play, he was sacked fora 10-yard loss. He tried to then run the option but was quickly smothered to lose an other5 yards. Thethird play resulted in an interception. accomplished and unique as Young? Like, never. Junk item No. 8: Would having talented starting cornerbacks JernaroGilford and Bran don Heaney, healthy again and in the lineup after so many absences and injuries last year, makea difference for the Cougars’ new D? They playedwell, but it was hardto tell where BYU’s defen sive brilliance ended and Georgia Tech’s offensive vulnerabilities began. By the way, Heaney injured his shoulder andGilford hurt his wrist and their status is unknown. Freshman quarter back Reggie Ball went 4-for-9 for 54 yards in thefirst half, and stayed on that mediocrepace in the second. Junk item No. 9: Can BYU's inexperiencedoffensiveline, with two freshmanstarters, keepthe pressure off Berry and open holes for Cougar running backs? No probs. Berry had timeto throwall night. Backs had holes to hit. Junk item No. 10: Wouldthat, Junk item No. 11: Can Mar cus Whalen get those 1,000 rush ing yards that he pronounced as his goal for this season? Whalen injuredhis foot on his initial carry good forthree yards anddid not return. Junk item No. 12: Despite Hale’s earlier statements that Crowtonis not in a do-or-die coaching situation this fall, how muchpressure, after thefirst losing season at BYU in three decades, does the coachreally feel? Plenty. Crowton already has responded to questions about that pressure, going to the ex traordinary lengthof telling re porters that, should he not be kept after his current contract runs out, “I’ve done whatever| can to makethis program bet ter. If it doesn’t work fur me, the next guy in there will be ina better situation because we 1 trying to moveit forware His candoris worthy of} Ihe happy eypre «co! ni face at the cor sion of Tl.urs daynight's o}» vier, 1h r lieve 1a bit ui that 7 until next week, an) Wa, against USC. when the junk irawer gets li sded upard ‘ilt ed, agein in turn, widen Berry’s comfort zone in the pocket? Yes Top 25 FOOTBALL Northern Illinois shocks No. 15 Maryland THE ASSOCIATED PREss GOING FOR IT ON FOURTH Gary Crowton has promised to take advantage of Matt Payne's punting ability, The Brigham Young coach went for it three times on fourth down in Thursday's 24-13 win over Georgia Tech. Each time, the Cougars were successful, including stadium’s press box, retiring the football, and the school gave his touchdown pass on a spectacular ‘D-Sizzle’ one-time act for BYU’s Coats By Poin MILLER ball,” the 1983 Heisman Trophy halftime ceremony. Then Young watched as a permanent display of his No. 8 was unveiled on the BYU 14, Georgia Tech 13 Matt Berry quarterback, BYU Steady, if not sensational in the opening game. He proved that Gary Crowton made the right decision to go with the most person himself, Edwards’ wife tape, Edwards himself during a e Continued from B1 4TH QUARTER OF THE GAME TheNo. 8 stands astribute to the 7,733 yards and 56 touchdowns Young wrungout of the BYU offense during his three seasons in Provo, but alsoto the “I playedin a time of champions,” Steve Young said. “I played with championship men.” And he was oneof them, too, several of the former Brigham Young quarterback’s biggest admirers testified Thursday night. runner-up said. BYU athletic director Val Hale presented Young with a framed jersey and a bronzed @ Description: Burnett bails out another stalled 3RD QUARTER OFFENSE — B Lethargic in the first half half, the offense did enoughin the second half. The Cougars still need to iron out a few mistakes, notably elminating delayof-game penalties. PROVO— Patti said in the taped remarks. “Thank you for being you,” she said after her husband, serving a LDS Church mission with herin New York City, described how proud he is of his star quarterback. Edwards deserves much of the credit, said the two-time NFL MVP, who won the 1995 Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, but so do a few other coaches. Ex-Cougar assistant Ted Tollner, for example, was the coach “who found out that I could actually throw the foot- former teammate Bart Oates, LDS Church First Counselor Thomas Monson, and via video- By Puit MILLER &. STATISTICS & 22 32-86 276 31-47-2 3-23 BYU honors Youngby retiring Jersey DEKALB, M11. Josh Haldi threw a 20-yard touchdown to Dan Sheldon in overtime as Northern Mlinois stunned No. 15 Maryland 20-13 on Thursday night, one of the biggest upsets in school history. Sheldon caught Haldi’s pass at the 15, spun around a defender and raced into the end zone for the game-winningscore. The Huskies sealed the game when Scott McBrien’s long pass into the end zone bounced off the leg of defensive back Rob Lee, fluttered into the airandfell into the hands of Randee Drewof Northern [linois. OTHER GAME: #3 Miami 48, Louisiana Tech 9: Antrel Rolle returned an intercep tion and a punt for touchdowns, and Frank Goreranfor 118 yardsas the Hurricanes rolled on the road Passing Comp-Attint Retum Yards Punts-Avg 2-24-1 150 6-450 Maryland 7 N. linois 0103 0 7—2 03 3 13 First Quarter PASSING—Maryiand, McBnien 12-24-1-110. Northem jit 108, Haid), 21-35- RECEIVING—Maryiand. Hamison 4-48. Parson 312. Wi Fourth Quarter bien 147 17 10-48 Louisiane Tech UM--FG Novak 50.9 10 NMU—FG Azar 25, 112 3633-9 First Quarter Overtirne Mea—Moore 23 pass trom Bertin (Peatite tick), 12:25 Ma—Pole 66 punt retum (Pe die lack) 10:00 NiU-—Gheidon 20 pass trom Haidl (Azar kick). 15:00 A—2B.018 al—¥G Scobee %. 103 Second Quarter Ma—D Wikams 76 tumble retun (PeatBe tack) 602 First downs Rushes-yards Mia 26 5 19 1% se 2s UM—FG Novak 46, 9:42 12 Lal—*G Scobee 52. 8 46 Ma—G Peatte 22 4 16 A~43.279 16-36 1-266 #3 Miami 48, Louisiana Tech 9 Third Quarter 112 Fourth Quarter Mia—Payton 4 run (Peatte tack) 13.30 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS fiams 2-18, Melendez 1-15. McBrien 1-9. Allen 1-8 Norther nots. Fleck 13116, Pemy 354, Sheldon 334. Tumer 14 UM—Allen 1 run (Novak Kick), 6:43 Second quarter NIU—FG Azar 52. 14:51 NiU-—Fleck 5 pass trom Haid (Azar Kick), 7.15 Mia—Winsiow 6 pass from Bertin (Peaiiie tick) 3.28 Mia—Rolle 30interception retum (Peatie kick) 1.56 21 Fumbles-Lost 0) 3-90 Penaies Y ards 556 646 Time of Possession 3314 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—HMaryfiand, Allen 20-67. Makionado 4.19 Mc Brien 9-17, Parson 1-10. team-(minus 1). Northerillinos, Tumer 90-90, Haid 12-(manus 30). team-(minus 1) No. lifinois 20, #15 Maryland 13 LaTl—¥G Scobee 27.7 4 266 21-351 61 7410 21 43-68 Third Quarter Ma—FG Peattie 23. 10:56 First downs Rushes-yards P Camp Attint Retum lal 13 19-98 12 19-34 Yards 0 Punts-Avg Fumbles-Lost Penalties: Y ards 642 1-1 << ime of Possession 2706 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS RUSHING—Miami, Gore 21-118, Moss 7-35, Payton 7-31 Aisa 2-16, Hester |-12, Hil 1-4, Beason 1-3, Crudup 1-1, Bertir (manus 28) Lousiana Tech, Moats 344, Wilson 3-27, Causey 27, McCown 5-5, Cury 1-{minus 1), Davis 5-iminus 4 PASSING—Mami, Bertin 14-28-1-203, Caxtup 47.0-72 masiana Tech McCown 16-26-2-195, Causey 3-6-0 1 RECEIVING—Hiam: Moore 467 Winslow 4-35 Hester 8, Parrish 2-55, Gore 2-33, Hil 2-13, Payton 1-2, Jenkins 1-2 oumiana Tech, King 4-27, Curry 3-13. Franidin 2.56, T Davis 30, R.Davis 2-13, Cosby 2-11, Piper 1-45, Newman 1-6, Hol land 1-6, Wison 1-5 |