PROVO -- With Saturday's win over Air Force, BYU remains undefeated at home this season at 2-0. The win also runs the Cougars' consecutive home winning streak to eight games, dating back to the 2006 season. Over the span of the last eight home games, the Cougars have defeated its opponents by an average of 31.2 points per game.
During that stretch, BYU is allowing just 10.6 points per game. The Cougars have allowed seven points or less in five of the last eight home games. In the first two games this season, the Cougars have outscored opponents by an average 19.0 points per game and have allowed just 6.5 points per game. The Cougars' current win streak is the longest since posting a 10-game home win streak from October 26, 2000 to September 6, 2002.
HOMECOMING
With today's 31-6 victory over Air Force, the Cougars improved to 40-20 in Homecoming games, dating back to 1947. BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall is a perfect 3-0 in homecoming games.
QUARTERLY REPORT
BYU's first-quarter shutout against Air Force marked the first time since the third quarter against UCLA that the Cougar defense has held its opponent scoreless for an entire quarter. All totaled, the Cougars have held opponents scoreless in seven of 16 quarters this season.
GOOSE EGGS
The Cougars held the Falcons scoreless in the first two quarters of the game, marking the second time in four games BYU has shut out its opponent in the first half. The Cougars then held Air Force scoreless in the fourth quarter, marking the seventh out of 16 total quarters that the BYU defense has held its opponent scoreless this season.
FIRST BLOOD
For the 15th time in its last 16 games, BYU was the first to score. The Cougars have posted a record of 13-2 in those games that they scored first.
TAKING THE LEAD
After quarterback Max Hall found senior wide receiver Matt Allen in the end zone in the second quarter, the Cougars held a 14-0 advantage over Air Force. The score marked the biggest lead BYU has had since posting a 20-0 advantage over Arizona in the fourth quarter of the season-opener. A 29-yard touchdown pass from Hall to Harvey Unga gave the Cougars a 24-0 lead at the 10:54 mark of the third quarter, marking the largest lead BYU has held at any point this season.
FIRST HALF DOMINANCE
Dating back to the 2006 season, the Cougars have led at halftime in 16 of the last 17 games, including three out of four games this season. During those 16 games, BYU is 13-3.
THE 100-YARD CLUB
Sophomore Dennis Pitta's 114 yards receiving marked the second consecutive game BYU has had a 100-yard receiver (Pitta, Michael Reed and Austin Collie all caught for 100+ yards against Tulsa). Also, Harvey Unga's 111 yards on 22 carries marks the second consecutive game the freshman running back has rushed for at least 100 yards. The game marks the second straight contest the Cougars have had a 100-yard receiver and a 100-yard rusher.
PASSING TO PITTA
Pitta caught five passes for 114 yards Saturday against Air Force and racked up 113 receiving yards last week against Tulsa. The last BYU player to have two consecutive games with 100+ yards receiving was Jonny Harline in 2006. Harline totaled 118 yards against Utah and racked up 181 receiving yards the following game against Oregon in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl.
IN A RUSH
Junior running back Manase Tonga's two-yard scamper into the end zone with 13:51 remaining in the game marked his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. Just four games into the season, Tonga has doubled his career rushing touchdown total (8 career rushing TDs) and equaled his previous season-high (four rushing TDs in 2006).
BLOCK PARTY
Senior cornerback Ben Criddle's blocked punt in the second quarter was BYU's first blocked punt since Russell Tialavea did it in 2006 against Utah State.
TURNOVER WOES
For the fourth time in as many games, quarterback Max Hall fumbled the ball after getting hit from the blindside. Hall has fumbled in each game of his collegiate career.
PAPER OR PLASTIC
Freshman nose tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna's sack of Shaun Carney in the second quarter was the first of his career. The Cougars were credited with two sacks. The Cougar defense has recorded at least two sacks in every game in 2007.
ON SECOND THOUGHT
For the third straight game, the BYU secondary came up with an interception. This time it was senior cornerback Quinn Gooch who intercepted Shaun Carney in the first quarter, setting the table for the Cougars' first scoring drive. The pick marked Gooch's first of the season and the fourth of his career.
CONSISTENT COLLIE
Dating back to his freshman season in 2004, sophomore wide receiver Austin Collie had caught at least one pass in 14 consecutive games. That streak was broken Saturday against Air Force after Collie was sidelined after two plays due to injury.
RUSHING DOMINANCE
Entering Saturday's game, the Cougars owned a record of 91-18 when rushing for 100 (or more) yards since the 1991 season. During the Bronco Mendenhall era, the Cougars are 15-3 when rushing for 100 or more yards.
CAN'T GROUND THE AIR FORCE
Air Force is the only team in the Mountain West Conference BYU has never shut out for an entire game. Shaun Carney's eight-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter ended the Cougars' chances of doing so Saturday.
HALL IN A DAY'S WORK
Sophomore quarterback Max Hall totaled 293 yards passing on 23-of-33 attempts. He was credited with two touchdown completions, including a 9-yard pass to Matt Allen in the second quarter and a 29-yard touch pass to Harvey Unga in the third quarter. On the season, Hall has completed over 62 percent of his attempts (113-181) and is averaging 377.3 yards per game. Hall is on pace to pass for over 4,500 yards on the season and rank among the top-five single-season performances in BYU football history. Hall had two touchdown completions against Air Force, adding to his season total of 10.
BYU-AIR FORCE SERIES NOTES
With today's victory, the Cougars improve to 22-6 against Air Force, dating back to the 1956 season. BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall is 3-0 against the Falcons. During the Mendenhall era, the Cougars have defeated Air Force by an average 21.7 points per game.
FLAG BEARER
Defensive back Kayle Buchanan was elected by teammates to carry the team flag on the field prior to the game. Buchanan is a senior from San Jose, Calif.
BEST IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
Since the Mountain West Conference was formed in 1999, BYU has posted a record of 39-20 against league opponents, marking the most wins of any other conference opponent. The Cougars have also won a league-best three MWC titles (1999, 2001 and 2006.) BYU is the only team in the league to win two different league titles with an unblemished record. In 2001, the Cougars won the MWC title with a record of 7-0. In 2006, BYU went 8-0 to win the league championship.