LAS VEGAS – The trip to Sam Boyd Stadium was uneventful, even though you have go across the city from The Strip. It did take 30 minutes.
Getting here two hours before kickoff was perfect. There was no traffic and yet the police started stopping traffic – for no reason. So there was no congestion, yet.
Signs everywhere say the game is sold out, but that’s not true since OSU didn’t sell that many tickets. A note in the Las Vegas paper this morning said it’s going to be a poor turnout.
It’s very windy, and although the rental car temperature gauge says 50 degrees, it feels colder. It’s going to be bad by the end of the game. Rain is in the distance of the desert but it should hold off.
Anyway, check back throughout the night. The blog will be updated. Feel free to comment or ask questions.
To answer an early blog question, the Beavers came out to warm up and are wearing all white. There’s no orange surprise this bowl game.
It’s gale force winds sweeping through Sam Boyd leaves are begin blown all over the field. This could be Sun Bowl II with the passing games altered due to wind. The wind is clocked at 30 mph with gusts up to 42 mph.
A.C. Green, Steven Jackson and Gary Payton are supposed to be on the OSU sidelines for the game. Looks like relations remain good with the big-money alumni.
First quarter
After two 3-and outs for BYU and one for OSU, the Beavers go on a 37-yard drive for a TD. There were four rushing plays, capped off with a 1-yard QB sneak by Sean Canfield. OSU up 7-0 with 8:46 left.
BYU comes back with an 84-yard drive into the wind. There was a good mix of pass and run in 14 plays. RR Harvey Unga pounds one in from 1-yard out. Game tied 7-7 with 2:47.
The wind blew the field goal net into the posts and got tangled. Things are getting absurd around here.
Canfield threw a lateral pass that RB Jacquizz Rodgers dropped, so it was a fumble. LB Matt Bauman recovered it and returned it 34 yards for a TD. BYU goes up 14-7 with 1:41 left.
That was Rodgers’ first career fumble. That was his 518th rush and 622nd touch.
Beavers are held to a punt, and though they recovered a fumble for a TD. But a holding call nullified the play. Beavers kick again.
Second quarter
BYU takes the ball 69 yards on 11 plays for its first drive of the quarter, but settle for a 28-yard field goal by Mitch Payne. The Beavers aided the drive with a pass interference penalty. BYU up 17-7 with 9:21 in the half.
The wind is not 43 mph out of the northwest with gusts up to 55 mph. Johnny Hekker had punt caught by the wind and it went six yards. That set up a 25-yard TD pass from Max Hall to Luke Ashworth. BYU up 23-7 after the Beavers block the extra point by James Dockery.
Beavers put together a solid drive, but it stalled on the BYU 22-yard line on downs. Dropped passes hurt them. The running game is the only thing working. They should just try to pound the ball with Quizz.
Third quarter
The Cougars kept the wind at their back and stopped OSU on downs after a fake field goal didn’t gain a first down. That gave them a 32-yard field and another touchdown, capped off by a 17-yard TD pass by Hall to Dennis Pitta. BYU up 30-7 with 8:51 left.
Fourth quarter
Game over. I’m scrambling to get my print stuff in. Check by late tonight or early Wednesday for the postgame blog.
44 comments
Kyleaelliott says:
Dec 22, 2009
are the beavers out warming up yet? what color uniforms are they wearing?
COBever04 says:
Dec 23, 2009
I am glad to see that the armed forces will be able to watch the game. Thanks to all those deployed for doing what you are doing.
Kyleaelliott says:
Dec 23, 2009
thank you for your support, I'm going to find a TV now!
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 22, 2009
Yes, and all white.
COBever04 says:
Dec 23, 2009
why all white? I pulled several Press Releases showing that OSU was the home team.
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
OSU has never been the home team. The team is in the home locker room for some reason.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
Cliff,
After watching practices, do you get a sense that TE Joe H. will be a major weapon. It seemed like he was hardly used in the Civil War. Can't imagine the Ducks coverage was that good. It seems like Riley forgets the TE for long stretches. Maybe Joe is just young and still learning proper route running. Just wanted to know your thoughts. Don't want you to eat too much popcorn during the pregame, so need to keep your fingers busy.
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
Halahuni could be a big factor. It depends on the coverage and what coaches call. And Canfield has to see him.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
How do you perceive BYU team speed? Is their defense fast? I usually get the sense that BYU is slower, but strong.
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
In general, I'd say you are right. OSU is faster. However, BYU is quick.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
It has been a while since I was in LV. Does the wind die down after sunset? How's the press box? Are you out of the cold?
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
It was still windy at the end of the OSU-UNLV game in Sept.
Press box is closed. So I'm not cold at the moment. But the box is pretty big. There's plenty of room for all the media covering this event. (Oregon, Utah and LV media).
My seat is great. I'm on the 50-yard line. The stadium is short, so no one is very high up.
pjmorgan says:
Dec 23, 2009
Talk smack with BYU fans live during the game … heraldextra.com/vegasbowl
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
TV said 42 mph wind gust…hold on Cliff.
aaron_ says:
Dec 23, 2009
1st fumble ever….
aaron_ says:
Dec 23, 2009
absurd is right, Beavers need to get it together. regroup on both sides of the ball.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
Beavers look really out of sinc. Canfield is not sharp and Quizz is not getting free. Hope improvement soon follows. Go Beavs! I am a bit worried about our kicking game into the wind.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
Riley needs to teach them how to tackle. Seem to miss a lot of first hits.
aaron_ says:
Dec 23, 2009
I am worried too. Offense looks out of sync, the D-is giving up yardage left and right and stupid penalties. Riley, Langs, and Banker need to ream some butt and get this straight before the half.
aaron_ says:
Dec 23, 2009
What was your pick (score) for the game Cilff?
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
Has OSU winning 45-42 on a last-minute FG. That's what it's going to take.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
With the wind I'll be amazed if our offense can score that many, unless Canfield starts playing like he did all year.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
Pounding with Quizz may not work if we don't have a passing attack.
sdbeav says:
Dec 23, 2009
BYU wants it more at this point. Wind cannot be blamed because Hall is throwing it all over the field. Gotta toughen up if we have any hope in the second half.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
Hall didn't throw well into the wind, but he threw with the wind better than Canfield. Second half should be interesting. Hope Riley makes adjustments.
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
Beavers are just plain being out coached.
punting? The high kicks by Hekker is a coaching issue. You do NOT punt high in this case. You do the rugby kick. That is a no brainer.
The play calling is revolving around the Rodgers brothers….well, it ain't working and a variety of play calling needs to be made. This is just sick.
So disappointed in the coaching staff.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
our receivers are not adjusting to the ball. They wait for the pass to flutter to them and BYU is defending well. BYU receivers are adjusting. I agree coaches are letting the wind effect them. Riley looks like he'd like to get off the field.
aaron_ says:
Dec 23, 2009
the playcalling is bad. The check downs are too quick by Canfield. Nice try on the fake punt, just bad execution. We HAVE to make something happen on defense. Let go Beavers!!!
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
Yes, the call on Hekker was the right call, it just didn't work.
But again make a PLAY TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE RODGERS BROTHERS. The offense is TOO PREDICTABLE and only involves those two.
And this team wants to play TCU the first game next year? That is looking like a really bad decision right now.
Defense is getting picked apart.
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
DBs just got picked apart again. Banker, get your head in the game. This showing by your defense is ridiculous. Lou Holtz just called it "confusion in the secondary by the Beavers." No kidding Lou. You called it.
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
Again, Quizz nailed for an 8 yard loss. James and the flysweep isn't working. Adeniji is doing well. Kjos is doing well. Play the ball to someone else.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
You'd think Riley would realize that Quizz and James (fly sweep) work well when passing game is on track. When passing is off he needs to make changes. Short passes to James and Halahuni might work. Hopefully this team grows up before next year, or it is disaster.
sdbeav says:
Dec 23, 2009
One of the few times where I'm just truly disappointed in the Beavs. No passion, no effort, just going through the motions…very uncharacteristic. Well hopefully a rare sh**ty end to the season will mean a rare strong beginning to 2010.
tommiet says:
Dec 23, 2009
Boy, complete no show by the Beavs tonight. Terrible effort but I can't really blame them.
rooruns says:
Dec 23, 2009
It is a rare poor effort this year. I thought we left that kind of stuff in the past. Depressing effort.
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
Extremely poor coaching by Riley, Banker, and Bruce Read on the special teams. Just sick play calling, sick, sick, sick. A complete embarassment to be sure.
Quiz fumbling, James fumbling.
No doubt the ball is bouncing BYU's way on punts. But the Beavers are making a horrible showing, HORRIBLE. This loss is sure to bounce them out of the Top 25.
Riley needs to stand up and simply say, "we just weren't prepared; I let the boys down." That's the truth. SICK.
30yrsbvrsports says:
Dec 23, 2009
What a disaster. Where is the coaching? Where is the preparation? What a bunch of wimps! We deserve every trashy comment Ducks will make about this. This sucks!
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
Have to admit I am a little disappointed in the sportsmanship of BYU. The morman boys are certainly acting like jerks out there. The hit on Wheaton with the launch to the head was just plain inappropriate.
No doubt the Beavers suck tonight, but I would expect a little more sportsmanship from BYU's boys.
beeverluv says:
Dec 23, 2009
I was more disappointed that they did call that play. BYU was cheap and dirty all night. Why bother calling interference or personal fouls at the end of the game when you haven't called it all night?
I have to think the refs were just getting sick of the Cougs' punk attitudes on the field.
Kudos to the Beavs for not responding… except for LaGrone's late hit after he was held in front of God and everybody. Congrats to BYU for being the new Fresno State.
BeaverDon says:
Dec 23, 2009
Cliff,
So for the 2010 schedule we open with TCU, and the Pac-10 is changing our schedule also, what is the Pac-10 doing.
Regarding TCU….your view….is it as big of a mistake as I think it is (which is VERY big)
ckirkpatrick says:
Dec 23, 2009
Pac-10 always adjusts the schedule at the end of the year. The TCU game is close to being a reality, too.
TCU is good for money, and most people and buisnesses need as much of that as they can get. So it's good in that regard.
It's also something that will get players motivated in the offseason.
WebTraveler says:
Dec 23, 2009
On TCU, it's a money game. DeCarolis needs to pay some salaries. Although last night the coaching staff really didn't earn it at all.
beaverteeth says:
Dec 23, 2009
Where is angrybeaver? I really enjoy his comments. Where were the first team all pac-ten players last night? This was supposed to be the one of the best bowl games to watch? It cracks me up when Riley is always saying I really like this teams spirit the way they practice hard and prepare themselves and don"t give up. What would you call what happen last night and on National TV? this was one of the worst coach beaver games I have ever seen. This performance shows me the Beavers were no rose bowl team. Another huge disappointment for fans.
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