Week 4 Predictions

BYU vs. Air Force:

BYU comes out fired up to make a statement in this game, and they have control from start to finish. The cougars get the ball first, methodically driving down the field. They will score on a 17-yard screen pass to Manase Tonga.

After a turnover at midfield, BYU will again drive down for another touchdown. This time Max Hall will connect with Harvey Unga on a 19-yard scoring strike for a 14-0 lead.

BYU will score again in the second quarter on a 5-yard pass from Hall to Andrew George, for a 21-3 halftime lead.

The rain will set in for the second half, and the ground game ticks the clock off quickly. BYU will score once in the third quarter (Joe Semanoff 1-yard plunge), and again in the 4th quarter (Wayne Latu 33-yard touchdown scamper; extra point no good). Air Force will finally score again with under a minute remaining.

Final Score: BYU 34, Air Force 10.
Player of the Game: BYU QB Max Hall (28-of 37, 454 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT).
Updated MWC Standings: BYU (1-0); Air Force (2-1).
National Attention: Lou Holtz will mention Max Hall's good game on an ESPN gameday recap show, but that is it.



Utah at UNLV

Utah comes in riding a wave of enthusiasm and confidence after blowing out UCLA last week. Just before kickoff, Coach Kyle Whittingham announces that they will rest Brian Johnson one more week, and start Tommy Grady. Johnson doesn't even dress for the game.

Unfortunately for the Utes, Grady's Heisman performance of the week before does not carry over to this game, with two interceptions thrown in the first half, along with some other costly miscues. Luckily, the Utes defense steps up, and the score is Utah 3, UNLV 3 at halftime.

UNLV takes control of the game in the third quarter with two touchdown drives in a row to take a 17-3 lead. But Utah answers back, scoring on a Grady 54-yard bomb to Hernandez on the last play of the quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10.

Utah's defense tightens up, and two more field goals makes it 17-16 for the Rebels. UNLV has a chance late in the game to ice things up, but they make a costly error when their quarterback throws an ill-advised pass into the end zone that is picked off by Steve Tate with 1:09 remaining. Tommy Grady converts on a 4th-and-14 play on the ensuing drive that eventually ends with Sakoda nailing a 55-yard field goal as time expires.

Final Score: Utah 19, UNLV 17.
Player of the Game: Utah K Louie Sakoda (4-for-4 FG from distances of 41, 44, 46, and 55 yards).
Updated MWC Standings: Utah (1-1), UNLV (0-1).
Season-Ending Injuries: Darrell Mack (broken leg).
National Attention: Sakoda is named the NCAA special teams player of the week.