Bits and Pieces from UCLA-BYU
This is a big one, likely this BYU-UCLA game is as intense of a contest as the Cougars have had in some time. Why? Because of last week with the penalty fallout, national rankings, momentum of two seasons, mindset of poll voters and ESPN’s apparent bend on bagging on a conference they don’t have a contract to air.
Win it, a statement is made.
Lose it, it’s “I told you so.”
Max Hall and Dennis Pitta and their sister wives were featured in today’s New York Times sports section. Here is an excerpt:
“I always joke with him that he’s just trying to get more balls thrown to him,” Hall said of Pitta’s marrying his sister-in-law.
It would be hard for Hall to throw to Pitta more. Heading into Saturday’s game against U.C.L.A. in Provo, Utah, Pitta is the country’s most productive receiver. His 21 catches and 180.5 yards a game lead the nation and are gaudy numbers for a tight end.
In leading No. 18 Brigham Young to victories against Northern Iowa and Washington and extending the longest winning streak in the country to 12 games, Hall has emerged as a dark-horse contender for the Heisman Trophy. His 824 total yards rank second nationally and his 64 completions rank third.
After spending so much time together in the last year, between family parties and Pitta’s wedding in July, both said their rapport off the field had transferred onto it.
“When you get along and trust someone, it’s that much easier to trust them to do their job,” Pitta said. “Even before I married my wife, that was developing with Max. We’ve been able to become that much closer and develop that chemistry and trust off the field.”
The Orange County Register had a breakdown of the game in today’s sports section and included a quote from Norm Chow. The writer set up the quote by saying Chow used the words “solid” and “sound” but the word “fast” never came up.
Said Chow: It’s nothing really fancy, but what they do, they do really well. They keep it all in front of you. They’re not going to give up big plays. They hustle to the ball real well. It’s a good team.”
I spoke to a former play the other day about Austin Collie and his drops in the Washington game. He threw out a theory which makes sense but it only a guess or notation that may not accurately describe what’s going on with the star junior receiver. It’s just out there.
It is obvious Pitta has become a big weapon and is a go-to guy. Collie is also a go-to guy and he is a total team player, said this source. “But you have to wonder if Austin is struggling a little, wondering how many touches he’s going to get. He’s a guy that’s always chomping at the bit to get his hands on the ball and make a play and when the touches are going to Dennis, he might be heaping a little pressure on himself in a way he hasn’t before, to make a big play when it does come his way.”
Just a thought.
Collie and Michael Reed will play a key role in the UCLA game because the Bruins will come after Hall, try to stack the box on Harvey Unga and play clamp-down man defense on Hall and Collie while physically trying to take Pitta out of the game.
A year ago, they had safety Chris Horton chase Pitta and he did a good job limiting Pitta to 10 passes for 104 yards in two games. But Pitta is a far more familiar target this year for Hall and Horton is playing in the NFL for Washington.
If Hall can find the time and protection, Hall and Reed will shake loose in man coverage and could have huge games.
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Finally, how did BYU’s defense do against Jake Locker? This comes from Paul Pocock, a stat guy on steriods.
BYU allowed Locker the fifth lowest number of yards (62), the third lowest yards per carry (3.4) and the second shortest long run (17) even though he had his second highest number of carries of his career (18).