Thursday, February 21, 2008

Austin Collie believes he deserves credit for quarterback Max Hall joining the BYU football team, and he has written proof.

Collie discovered some old letters he wrote during his mission service. Collie and Hall attended the Missionary Training Center together. Hall was still at Arizona State at the time, and wasn't fully on BYU's radar.

"Me and Max Hall hang out and see each other all the time," Collie wrote. " ... I tell him he needs to come to the Y so he can throw to me and he said it is a possibility."

In another letter, Collie penned, "I wrote Max Hall. He is already going to Iowa. Why can't I go stateside? I will give you the address so coach (Brandon) Doman can write him. He might be a good catch."

"So basically people might want to thank me for Max Hall coming here," Collie concluded recently.

The early connection between future teammates proved to be an ideal connection on the field this season.

****
Dual powers in Duel Series:

BYU's basketball and football teams have swept the season series over rival Utah for two straight years.

"I think it's a credit to the athletic department here and what they have done and the way things are going," BYU senior guard Sam Burgess said. "Everything is heading up. Coach Bronco and Coach Rose have done an awesome job and you can see it in the players and how they play."

On a related side note - literally - Burgess' mom, Wealtha, is Mendenhall's cousin.

****
Quick hits:

- Collie said the football team's workouts are going well. "They are a lot tougher than last year and more demanding. That is what happens when a lot is expected."

- Collie is now a married man and so is Kellen Fowler. Fowler married a girl with the same last name - ideal situation for paperwork purposes - but assured everyone they are not related.