Bronco: USU's Borel, Turbin are the real deal
A lot has been made of last year's 34-14 BYU win over Utah State, and how the Aggies scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and were close to scoring another at the end of the game.
BYU outgained USU 406-322 in that game and took advantage of several Aggie turnovers to turn it into a rout in the first quarter. Credit the Aggies for fighting back, but the Cougars helped USU's cause by committing penalties.
In all, BYU was flagged 12 times for 123 yards in that game.
Along with cutting down on the mistakes, the Cougars know they must slow down USU's top two weapons tomorrow night to be successful.
Last year, Robert Turbin ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries, and QB Diondre Borel recovered from a horrible start to run for 40 yards (on 19 carries). Borel was 10-for-15 for 114 yards passing in the game, with one pick.
Here's BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's take on Turbin:
"I really like [Turbin] at running back. Not only is he physical, but he is fast. The plays that you do see him breaking away, nobody is catching him. And he is big. It is a unique combination to be big, physical and fast, and that is pretty uncommon.
"From a year ago, I know our players were very impressed after playing him and thought he was one of the best running backs that we had seen. So I am sure they will remember."
Here's his take on Borel:
"Really athletic. We had a hard time getting him on the ground a year ago. And when you consider how they are using him now with a little bit of option and some of the zone read series, I think that they understand what their strengths are, and are using him at even a higher level than a year ago.
"And again, the two players from a year ago that our players were impressed with -- not only have I talked about the running back, but those two players in a combination -- they are doing a nice job because those two players are the ones touching the ball most of the time.
With the ball in both those players hands, I think it is a smart move by the coaching staff."
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BYU senior linebacker Matt Bauman has been selected as one of 154 semifinalists for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the 2009 NFF National Scholar- Athlete Awards.
Semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
Bauman started all 13 games at inside linebacker in 2008 and the first three games this season. He led the team in tackles last year with 108, including 50 solo. A finance major, Bauman was a 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American and is a three-time Academic All-MWC honoree.
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29.
BYU outgained USU 406-322 in that game and took advantage of several Aggie turnovers to turn it into a rout in the first quarter. Credit the Aggies for fighting back, but the Cougars helped USU's cause by committing penalties.
In all, BYU was flagged 12 times for 123 yards in that game.
Along with cutting down on the mistakes, the Cougars know they must slow down USU's top two weapons tomorrow night to be successful.
Last year, Robert Turbin ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries, and QB Diondre Borel recovered from a horrible start to run for 40 yards (on 19 carries). Borel was 10-for-15 for 114 yards passing in the game, with one pick.
Here's BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's take on Turbin:
"I really like [Turbin] at running back. Not only is he physical, but he is fast. The plays that you do see him breaking away, nobody is catching him. And he is big. It is a unique combination to be big, physical and fast, and that is pretty uncommon.
"From a year ago, I know our players were very impressed after playing him and thought he was one of the best running backs that we had seen. So I am sure they will remember."
Here's his take on Borel:
"Really athletic. We had a hard time getting him on the ground a year ago. And when you consider how they are using him now with a little bit of option and some of the zone read series, I think that they understand what their strengths are, and are using him at even a higher level than a year ago.
"And again, the two players from a year ago that our players were impressed with -- not only have I talked about the running back, but those two players in a combination -- they are doing a nice job because those two players are the ones touching the ball most of the time.
With the ball in both those players hands, I think it is a smart move by the coaching staff."
--------------------------
BYU senior linebacker Matt Bauman has been selected as one of 154 semifinalists for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the 2009 NFF National Scholar- Athlete Awards.
Semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
Bauman started all 13 games at inside linebacker in 2008 and the first three games this season. He led the team in tackles last year with 108, including 50 solo. A finance major, Bauman was a 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American and is a three-time Academic All-MWC honoree.
The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29.
2:41 PM
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1 Comments:
All I remember from last year's USU game was how excited the referees seemed to be to call penalties on BYU. You could hear it in their voices. But maybe I'm wrong.
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