TULSA -- Receivers Michael Reed, Dennis Pitta and Austin Collie were each credited for over 100 yards receiving. Reed had a team-best 132 yards on a game-high eight receptions, including a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that cut the Tulsa lead to 52-47 with 6:44 remaining in the game.
Collie had four receptions for 121 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown reception that tied the game at 14-14 early in the second quarter. Pitta had six receptions for 113 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception that tied the game at 21-21 with 11:30 left in the second quarter. All totaled, 10 receivers were credited with a total 34 receptions for a season-high 537 yards and four touchdowns.
FLAG BEARER
Safety Corby Hodgkiss was elected by teammates to carry the team flag on the field prior to the game. Hodgkiss is a senior from Irving, Texas.
TAKING UP TIME
Harvey Unga's one-yard touchdown run with 10:05 remaining in the opening quarter marked the 12th time in the past 13 games the Cougars have scored first. Interestingly, the 3:48 drive was the second longest of the season and the longest scoring drive of the game. During the first half, both teams combined to score a total of six drives under two minutes in length and nine scoring drives under three minutes. In the second half, the two teams combined for four scoring drives under three minutes and just one scoring drive over three minutes.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
The BYU defense started the game by forcing Tulsa to punt on two straight drives and was credited with an interception to end the third drive. The Cougars held the Golden Hurricane to just 12 total yards in the first three drives. Tulsa made some adjustments and went on to score on its next five drives, including four touchdowns and a field goal during the first half.
TURNOVER WOES
The Cougars turned the ball over four times against the Golden Hurricane, leading to a total of 21 points. BYU was credited with one turnover; however, the team failed to capitalize on the Tulsa miscue. Brian Smith missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. Interestingly, Tulsa took advantage of the field position on Smith's missed field goal and scored three plays later to tie the game at 7-7. The Cougars currently rank 110th in the country in turnover margin.
YELLOW FEVER
For the second week in a row, the Cougars were plagued with penalties. BYU was flagged 14 times for 138 yards, while Tulsa was penalized just four times for 31 yards. BYU ranks 109th in the country, averaging 10 penalties for 83 yards per game.
PICK SIX
For the second straight game, a defender picked off a Max Hall pass attempt and returned it for a touchdown. Roy Roberts picked off Hall at the BYU 49-yard line and returned it 49 yards to give Tulsa the 38-34 lead with 14:00 remaining in the third quarter.
MAD MAX
Sophomore quarterback Max Hall completed 34-of-57 attempts for a career-high 537 yards passing against Tulsa. His yardage total tied Ty Detmer for the ninth highest single-game total. Detmer racked up 537 yards against Washington State during the 1989 season. John Walsh holds the record with 619 yards against Utah State in 1993. Interestingly, Halls' yardage total also marks the most yards passing in a loss since Detmer and the Cougars dropped a 46-41 shootout against Washington State in 1989. John Walsh also holds the school record for most yards passing in a loss, falling to Utah State, 58-56, in the 1993 shootout. By halftime, Hall had completed 24-of-41 for a career-best 344 yards and three touchdowns. Hall also had two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Hall did not have a turnover in the second half.
THE LAST TIME
Saturday's loss at Tulsa marked the first time since September 16, 2006 the Cougars lost the game after holding a halftime lead. BYU held a 31-24 lead against the Golden Hurricane; however, TU outscored the Cougars 24-13 in the second half to win the game, 55-47.
SCORING NOTES
The Cougars posted a season-high 47 points on Tulsa, marking the most points scored since beating Wyoming 55-7 on November 9, 2006. The game marked the most points BYU has scored in a losing effort since falling to TCU in overtime, 50-51, on September 24, 2005. It's also the most points scored during regulation in a losing effort since losing to Utah State, 56-58, on October 30, 1993. Interestingly, since that game in 1993, the Cougars are 31-2 in games when the team scores 45 (or more) points.
GIVING UP 55
BYU gave up 55 points against Tulsa. The game marked the first time since Colorado State posted 58 points on October 9, 2003 that the Cougars have allowed 55 (or more) points in a game.
FIRST-HALF COMBINED SCORING
BYU and Tulsa combined for 65 points in the first half of play. The combined point total is the highest since BYU and Tulane combined for 77 points in the first half during the 2001 season-opener.
THE CRIDDLER
Senior cornerback Ben Criddle intercepted Paul Smith with 6:37 left in the first quarter and returned it 13 yards to the Tulsa 21 yard line. The pick marked Criddle's first of the season and the third of his career.
BYU-TULSA SERIES NOTES
Saturday's game marked the first-ever loss to Tulsa. Entering Saturday's game, the Cougars held a 6-0 advantage over the Golden Hurricane.
RUSHING DOMANANCE
Entering Saturday's game, the Cougars owned a record of 91-17 when rushing for 100 (or more) yards since the 1991 season. Saturday's game marked only the fifth time since 1991 that the Cougars had gained over 150 yards rushing in a game and lost. (BYU is 72-5 since 1991 when rushing for 150 or more yards.) During the Bronco Mendenhall era, the Cougars are 14-3 when rushing for 100 or more yards.