BYU 21 UNM 3

This is about the game I expected. With the exception of 2006, UNM usually plays hard against BYU but loses the game. I wouldn't call this a blowout, but it was a solid win against an improving Lobo team. Here are my thoughts about the game.

1. The run game has to improve. I don't blame Unga, but I do blame the O-line. For some reason, the O-line is struggling with run blocking. They do outstanding with pass blocking, but the holes that were so huge last year in the run game simply aren't there right now. Last year the O-line left gaping holes that allowed Unga to get into the secondary and plow over pansy safeties like Stevie Tate. BYU has a big, physical, and experienced group up front. There is no excuse for Unga not getting into the secondary more often. 95 yards on 22 carries for Harvey isn't bad, but BYU should do better than that.

2. Max Hall had an efficient mistake free game. 22 of 34 for 265 yards and 3 TD's with no picks. While that's not spectacular, it's nothing to complain about. Once again the defense chose to stop the run and limit our tight ends, which left Collie 1 on 1 with one of the best DB's in the conference. And of course, Collie tore him apart ala Bryce McCain. 9 catches for 162 yards and a TD. Wow. #9 will hold almost all the receiving records at BYU before he goes to the NFL if he stays for his senior year. Collie is big, fast, physical, runs great routes, and is great after the catch. BYU fans don't appreciate him enough.

3. The defense is doing great. 70 yards for Ferguson is too much in the first half. However, he had only 20 in the second half. That's especially good considering Ferguson usually wears down a defense in the second half. There were some missed tackles throughout the game, but no big plays. Plus the D stood tough when they needed to, only allowing 3 points. That's 17 points IN FOUR GAMES allowed by this defense. That is outstanding. All the naysayers that said this D will be inexperienced and suspect have been shut up. Plug and go baby, plug and go.

4. Ahh Rocky Long. One of the biggest crybabies in history. In postgame comments he called the officiating "criminal" saying they "took the game away from us". All this from one penelty. The call was an illegal block in the back. Watching the replays, it was a touchy, though correct, call. Dulan was pushed in the back after attempting to bring down the ball carrier. It was a much better call the phantom offensive PI called on Collie earlier that wasn't which took points from BYU. The bottom line: The call hurt but didn't kill the Lobos. A wide open receiver was missed on the very next play which would have scored a TD. Then Rocky decides to go for it on 4th and 22 instead of kick a field goal which would have cut it to an 8 point lead. They obviously failed and got no points. Then the Lobos gave up a beautiful long drive culminating in Hall's third TD throw. I am so tired of whiners like Rocky. When asked about his thoughts about BYU's team, he classfully said, "I don't want to talk about BYU. Enough people are talking about BYU". What a baby. Him and Kryle need to go do a yoga class or something. Bottom line: Good teams win, losing teams whine.

Another good win for the Cougars. Feels great to be 6-0 heading in to the most difficult game of the season, to this point. TCU will be amped for this game. Preview is forthcoming.