- Week 9 - #3 BYU (7-0) @ ECU (3-3) – Sat, Oct 21, Noon EST – Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC – ESPNU
o ESPN moved this game to an early kickoff to get it on an ESPN network…travelling to the east coast to play an early game never translates well for the Cougars and, given their sluggish start, this appears to be no exception.
o BYU safety’s are caught napping on a play-action pass and get burned deep and then Tanner throws a pick-6 just five plays later. Kalani is really getting into his team on the sideline trying to “wake them up” he says later.
o Ty decides to go old-school here and just pound the ball all game long knowing BYU will wear down this team by the end. 45 carries later and he’s right! Canada, Tolutao and Burt all get in on the action and carry the load all game long. BYU slowly starts chipping away at the lead and the game is tied 21-21 at halftime.
o According to the players, Warner and Bernard got into the defensive players faces at halftime and said they were going to shut them out in the 2nd half. They did.
o BYU grinds down the Pirates on long, exhausting 10-13 play drives giving their D plenty of rest. They then can come out rested and wreak havoc. After Tanner hits MLP in the endzone with 5:45 left to take their first lead of the game, the defense forces their 3rd three-and-out in a row and gets the ball back. After 6 straight runs, Tanner nails Simon with a bullet on slant for the TD.
o Butch Pau’u creates a turnover and knocks the ECU RB out of the game in the process, which leads to a beautifully timed play-action pass to Davis streaking down the sideline.
o BYU rolls in the second half and pulls away for a 42-21 win.
o Player of the game – Butch Pau’u – 15 tackles, 3 TFL’s, 2 PBU’s, 1 forced fumble, 25 giant grins while helping someone up