Cougar Corner Blog
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Jaime Hill Promoted to DC
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has turned over the keys to the defense to secondary coach Jaimie Hill.
This is great news for the Cougars. Hill has proven himself to be a great asset to BYU when he came in 2 years ago and turned a porous secondary into one of the best squads in the MWC, and one that could shut down high powered Oregon's offense in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl, as well as UCLA in 2007.
This will also provide some much needed relief for Bronco, who had been acting as both Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Both of which are extremely difficult tasks, combined would be a great deal of work.
This also helps ensure that we will retain the services of Jaime Hill, where there had been some worry by fans that a coach of his stature and ability would be highly sought after by BCS schools.
Labels: Coaching, Defense, Football
del.icio.us
Digg This!
posted by Chad @ 11:21 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
New Cougar Fantasy Prediction Game
CougarCorner.com is very pleased to announce the completion and release of a new BYU Cougars fantasy prediction game. The game will allow CougarCorner.com users (registration is completely free) to predict results from upcoming Cougar games. Those predicting correctly will score points based on how well they do. Users will earn and gain points throughout the season.
As you register you can choose to be part of a "Prediction Group" to compete with your friends, or just join the default 'Open' group to compete against anyone else who doesn't join a group.
We hope that this will be a fantastic game to bring Cougar fans together.
Enjoy the fun at: CougarCorner.com
Labels: Fantasy Game, Football, Predictions
posted by Chad @ 3:22 PM
1 comments
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
BYU to Retire #14
BYU to Honor Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer
In conversations with Tom Holmoe, both at the Big Blue Bash (see previous post) and over email, I have learned that BYU will officially retire the jerseys of Ty Detmer and Gifford Nielsen, both of which played as #14. In addition to retiring these jerseys, BYU will retire the #14.
Corby Hodgkiss, who currently wears #14 will be allowed to continue to use it until his playing days are done, afterwhich time the #14 will never be used again.
Labels: Football, Gifford Nielsen, Ty Detmer
posted by Chad @ 1:03 PM
0 comments
Monday, August 13, 2007
Big Blue Bash
I attended the Big Blue Bash tonight, held in Salt Lake City at the Sheraton Hotel. The evening began with Blaine Fowler doing some random Cougar Trivia while everyone got in, got some food, and had a chance to meet with Max Hall and Paul Tidwell at one table and Brian Kehl and Eric Drage at another table.
I met first with Max Hall and Paul Tidwell. I asked how the offense was going to do this year and coach Tidwell immediately said that only Max Hall could answer that. Max said the offense was going to be good. I asked him how many points they would average this year. Hall replied at least 24. I went on to ask him what defensive squad would be his biggest challenge this year. Without a moments hesitation he said BYUs was the toughest defense he was going to have to play against this year.
Later I spoke with Eric Drage and Bryan Kehl. I was amazed at how affiable Drage was and he and I spoke for several minutes. He's very invested in the program and in Bronco. I almost asked him if he was Cruiser. As for Kehl I asked him how many points per game his defense was going to give up, and he responded 10 with a twinkle in his eye. I went on to ask him which team they play this year would provide the best offense. He said, "UCLA is going to have a good offense, and so will Utah. Nah, the best offense we will face this year will be whichever BCS school we play in a BCS Bowl game in January."
The best part is, later that night when Kehl was speaking to the assembled Cougar faithful, he recounted our conversation. Everyone cheered his comments of playing in a BCS Bowl this year.
The program went on to include speeches by Greg Wrubell, Tom Holmoe, Blaine Fowler, Paul Tidwell, Eric Drage, James Dye, Max Hall and Bryan Kehl. They played video highlights between each speaker, mainly of the Utah game. They also showed the 'wear blue' commercial, as well as a new 2 minute video of Bronco speaking to students urging them to give their best always.
Labels: Cougar Club, Football
posted by Chad @ 9:24 AM
0 comments
Monday, February 26, 2007
NFL Combine
Three former Cougars were invited to the NFL Combine, and all three have completed their workouts for pro scouts and head coaches.
Pre Combine Hype
John Beck, QB - Ended the season as arguably the nation's best quarterback. There'll be a lot of eyes on him, wondering if he has that BYU QB pedigree.from CSTV [link]
"... up to this point has been all combine prep. Each day, we start with about an hour to an hour and a half of running drills and speed work. We jump right into our throwing session, which lasts about an hour. After a lunch break and a little rest, we are in the weight room for an extensive workout."from Scout.com, John Beck's Draft Blog [link]
During the Combine
12:07 p.m.: Brigham Young Quarterback John Beck was asked if there was any pressure playing that position at a school with such great tradition. “Definitely, there’s pressure, but it’s something I’d always wanted to do since I was a little kid. It was an honor being able to follow in the footsteps of guys like Steve Young, Ty Detmer, and Jim McMahon.”From Scout.com [link]
Combine Times & Measurements
All times and measurements taken from NFL.com [link]
| Group 4 -- Top 10 Results: 20 Shuttle | ||
| 1. Anthony Gonzales | Ohio St. | 4.08 |
| 2. Chris Davis | Florida St. | 4.14 |
| 3. David Clowney | Virginia Tech | 4.15 |
| 4. John Beck | Brigham Young | 4.17 |
| 5. Dallas Baker | Florida | 4.19 |
| 6. Reggie Ball | Georgia Tech | 4.19 |
| 7. James Jones | San Jose St. | 4.20 |
| 8. David Bell | New Hampshire | 4.21 |
| 9. Yamon Figurs | Kansas St. | 4.21 |
| 10. Jason Hill | Washington St. | 4.22 |
End 20 Shuttle
| Group 4 -- Top 10 Results: Three Cone | ||
| 1. Anthony Gonzales | Ohio St. | 6.54 |
| 2. Johnnie Lee Higgins | UTEP | 6.62 |
| 3. Chris Davis | Florida St. | 6.66 |
| 4. Dallas Baker | Florida | 6.69 |
| 5. Dwayne Bowe | Louisiana St. | 6.81 |
| 6. John Beck | Brigham Young | 6.82 |
| 7. Yamon Figurs | Kansas St. | 6.85 |
| 8. Aaron Fairooz | Central Arkansas | 6.89 |
| 9. Reggie Ball | Georgia Tech | 6.90 |
| 10. Steve Breaston | Michigan | 6.90 |
End Three Cone
| Group 4 (QB) -- Top Five Results: Ball Speed | ||
| 1. Toby Korrodi | Central Missouri St. | 63 |
| 2. John Beck | Brigham Young | 61.1 |
| 3. Kevin Kolb | Houston | 55.3 |
| 4. Trent Edwards | Stanford | 55.2 |
| 5. James Pinkey | East Carolina | 53.9 |
End Ball Speed
| Group 3 (TE) -- Top 10 Results: Three Cone | ||
| 1. Kevin Boss | Western Oregon | 6.96 |
| 2. Dante Rosario | Oregon | 6.96 |
| 3. Derek Schouman | Boise St. | 7.00 |
| 4. Zach Miller | Arizona St. | 7.01 |
| 5. Greg Olsen | Miami (Fla.) | 7.04 |
| 6. Jonny Harline | Brigham Young | 7.05 |
| 7. Daniel Coats | Brigham Young | 7.07 |
| 8. Ben Patrick | Delaware | 7.21 |
| 9. Gijon Robinson | Missouri Western St. | 7.23 |
| 10. Chad Upshaw | Buffalo | 7.23 |
| Group 1 -- All Results: Bench *Limited to BYU | ||
| Daniel Coats | Brigham Young | 34 reps. |
| Jonny Harline | Brigham Young | 15 reps. |
Post Combine Reaction
Beck was the most impressive quarterback I viewed inside the RCA Dome on Sunday. He has a compact delivery and generates good zip on his passes, showing particularly sound velocity on his curls, quick slants and the out routes. This observation was backed up numerically by the fact that Beck's ball speed was timed at 61.1 mph, second-fastest among all quarterbacks testing. Beck also showed deft touch on the post-corner routes and placed the ball on the outside shoulder on his deep throws...From FoxSports.com [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6507034]
BYU's John Beck ran a great 40 (4.70) and was the most consistently accurate passer among the quarterbacks. Beck hit all his targets and displayed a quick, compact release. . . .From SportinNews.com [link]
There is supposed to be some interesting information here, but I haven't yet been able to get the page to load up correctly.
Labels: Daniel Coats, Football, John Beck, Jonny Harline, NFL Draft
posted by Chad @ 8:48 AM
0 comments
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Cougars land new recruits
February 7th, Letter of Intent day. The day when all the jockeying for position finally comes to an end and recruited players actually sign on to play for a particular school.
BYU did well, ranking as the #1 non-BCS school.
Here's who BYU landed2007 Football Signees
Name HT WT POS HOMETOWN (Last School)
Famika Anae 6-5 260 OL Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)
David Angilau 6-2 255 DL Longmont, CO (Niwot HS)
Tyler Beck 6-1 205 LB Murrieta, CA (Vista Murrieta HS)
Brannon Brooks 5-10 175 DB Elk Grove, CA (Elk Grove HS)
Braden Brown 6-6 230 TE Salt Lake City, UT (Highland HS)
J.J. Di Luigi 5-9 188 RB Canyon Country, CA (Canyon HS)
Scotty Ebert 6-0 185 WR Sandy, UT (Jordan HS)
Kaneakua Friel 6-4 220 TE Honolulu, HI (Kamehameha HS)
Austen Jorgensen 6-3 210 LB Mt. Pleasant, UT (North Sanpete HS)
Ryan Kessman 6-0 190 WR San Jacinto, CA (San Jacinto HS)
Aveni Leung Wai 6-1 220 LB Aiea, HI (Grossmont JC)
Star Lotulelei 6-3 245 DL South Jordan, UT (Bingham HS)
Levi Mack 6-5 315 OL Thatcher, AZ (Eastern Arizona JC)
Devin Mahina 6-6 225 TE Upland, CA (Upland HS)
Eathyn Manumaleuna 6-2 269 OL Provo, UT (Timpview HS)
Marcus Mathews 6-4 200 WR Beaverton, OR (Southridge HS)
Jason Munns 6-5 225 QB Kennewick, WA (Southridge HS)
Gary Nagy 6-1 175 S Kahuku, HI (Kahuku HS)
Jordan Pendleton 6-2 195 S South Jordan, UT (Bingham HS)
G Pittman 5-9 175 DB Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Rancho Cucamonga HS)
Houston Reynolds 6-2 295 OL Provo, UT (Timpview HS)
Jordan Smith 6-4 200 WR Spanish Fork, UT (Spanish Fork HS)
Steven Thomas 5-11 180 S Chino Hills, CA (Chino Hills HS)
Manaaki Vaitai 6-3 299 OL Euless, TX (Trinity HS)
A very good class, with several difference makers expected to step in right away.
Labels: 2007 Recruiting, Football
posted by Chad @ 1:56 PM
0 comments
Friday, December 15, 2006
You'll Laugh as He Cries
Hear the game winning touchdown call by none other than Bill Riley, Ute homer extrodinaire as his team has their heart ripped out. You'll laugh as you hear him barely holding back the tears.
billrileytouchdowncall.mp3
Labels: BYU, Football, Rivalry, Utah
posted by Chad @ 5:39 PM
0 comments
Thursday, December 14, 2006
John Beck - SI Draft Sleeper?
Sports Illustrated is reporting that John Beck is one of their top Draft Sleeprs to watch in this Bowl Season.
They say:
John Beck/QB/BYU: The unanimous choice as Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, Beck has watched his draft stock surge in 2006. He completed more than 70% of his passes last season for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns and will likely receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Originally considered late-round material, he has jumped into the middle frames. In the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon, Beck squares off against the top-rated pass defense in the Pac-10.
Read it here for yourself.
Labels: Draft Prospects, Football, John Beck
posted by Chad @ 7:49 PM
0 comments