Shirley Johnson, a native of Salt Lake City, was hired in 1980 as the football office secretary and has served the BYU football team since. After 32 years of service, Johnson retired this week.

Johnson has worked for three head coaches, including LaVell Edwards who hired her. During her time with the Cougars, she saw BYU win its first bowl game (“The Miracle Bowl”), watched the Cougars claim a national championship and witnessed Ty Detmer win the Heisman Trophy.

BYU tight end Kaneakua Friel has been named the College Football Performance Awards National Tight End of the Week for his play in BYU's season-opening 30-6 victory over Washington State. Cougar defensive back Jordan Johnson received honorable mention for Defensive Back of the Week. 

It was a record night for multiple BYU wide receivers. Junior Cody Hoffman brought his consecutive games of catching a pass to 20 and ended the night with three receptions and 46 yards.  Junior Skyler Ridley’s touchdown reception in the first quarter was his first career catch. He finished the night with 54 yards on six catches.

Washington State took charge of the ball to start the half but gave it away quickly with an interception pass to BYU’s Jordan Johnson. The catch marked Johnson’s third career interception. Last year, BYU’s defense combined for 13 interceptions and held opponents to 13 touchdowns. Tonight, the defense has held Washington State to zero touchdowns and already picked up two interceptions.

BYU struck early in the second when quarterback Taysom Hill came in to finish off the drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kaneakua Friel. The play marked Hill's first collegiate appearance. After their own 57-yard drive, Washington State answered back to put themselves on the scoreboard with a 47-yard field goal.

BYU’s defense was forced to go to work early with Washington State on the offensive. After marching 60 yards, the Washington State offense found themselves at 3^rd and 11 on BYU's 20-yard line. With the pressure mounting, Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel rolled out of the pocket to find an open receiver but instead found BYU linebacker Uona Kaveinga to send the favor back to BYU.

Tickets

Tickets to the BYU season opener vs. Washington State are still available. Contact the Marriott Center Ticket Office at 801-422-BYU1to purchase tickets, or order online at BYUtickets.com.

Broadcast Plans for Thursday, Aug. 30

Below is a list of television and radio programming for the first game of the 2012 football season.

6-7 pm MT (8-9 pm ET) — BYUtv: Cougar Conversations

With the season kickoff less than four days away we are starting a new series of opponent previews on the football blog. Up first is the Washington State Cougars.

Series Information:

BYU leads: 2-1
Last Meeting: BYU won 50-36, 9/15/90
H/A/N: 1-1/0-0/1-0

Next up on our list of Q&A’s with members of the BYU football team are the two players wearing No. 4. 

No. 4 Uona Kaveinga, Sr., LB, Hawthorne, CA

In preparation for the upcoming fall 2012 season, BYU athletes and Cougar Nation met together Tuesday evening at Haws Field for the eighth annual Cougar Kickoff. 

Athletes from the football, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and cross country teams signed autographs at the event and ran drills for fans to participate in.