Preston Rex scores for the boys from Provo, Utah (Photo by BYU Athletics)
BYU, Utah, and Weber State come up big in Week 3!
BYU 3-0 (0-0 in the Big 12)
The Y made quick work of Colorado State in their house in Fort Collins. The 41-23 score makes this game look a lot closer than it actually was for BYU and CSU. BYU had a 38-7 lead in the third quarter and took their foot off the gas pedal. The Cougars outgained CSU 559-303. BYU had 332 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns. They’ll have this coming week off, but will follow it up with a big road game in the Big 12 at TCU.
Utah 3-0 (0-0 in the Big 12)
The Utes demolished Utah State and sent them back to Logan. Winning the Battle of the Brothers was pretty easy for Utah, but so has this 3-0 start. Or, at least they’ve made it look easy. They’ve outscored their opponents 142-24 in their first three games. Morgan Scalley is known for his defenses, but Devon Dampier and the offense have been the show stealers for Utah. This week they’ll have their first game away from Salt Lake City as they go to Ames, Iowa, to play Iowa State. Another program with a first-year head coach, ISU will not be a pushover.
Utah State 0-3 (0-0 in the Pac-12)
USU’s brutal start to their season continued this past weekend. Getting shut out always sucks, but it’s even worse at the hands of a rival that you’re chasing. Their early road schedule this year has been brutal and doesn’t get any easier. They were at Washington, at Utah, and in two weeks will be at Boise State. So their game this week at home against Troy is even more vital. The Trojans are one of the Sun Belt’s best programs, so it’ll be a battle. If the Aggies don’t get a win, they’ll be looking down the barrel of 0-5 after the first weekend of October if they don’t beat conference favorite Boise State on the road.
Weber State 2-2 (1-0 in the Big Sky)
Weber State got back to winning in their home opener in Ogden. They played Northwestern State and got a 49-20 win over the now 0-4 Demons. They’ll face another 0-4 team next when they host Portland State this coming Saturday. The Eric Kjar Era is off to a solid start in Ogden, Utah. They’ll need better and more consistent quarterback play to keep Portland State winless and get a winning record of their own.
Utah Tech 0-4 (0-1 in the Big Sky)
The Trailblazers battled Northern Arizona, and despite playing better than they have at any other point this season, they fell, 35-23. It’s not even the end of September, and Utah Tech is 0-4 and 0-1 in the Big Sky. I guess there’s been little improvements from week to week. Beaten 54-0, then 63-7, then 35-14, and now 35-23. Hopefully they can turn it into a win soon. This week, they’ll be on the road at Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Southern Utah 1-3 (0-1 in the Big Sky)
The Thunderbirds just keep getting their hearts shattered. They’ve been so close, so many times. They could just as easily be 3-1 right now instead of 1-3. Their road trip to Minnesota to play St. Thomas was another soul crusher. Southern Utah fought hard but came up a bit short, 28-26. They face another challenge this weekend in Cedar City. They’ll be at home to face 3-0 and #16 Idaho State. The Bengals are fresh off a 59-17 victory over San Diego.
Roberts-Hall Award Player of the Week
This pick was as easy to make as it was to watch LJ Martin run all over Colorado State. Martin had 15 carries for 176 yards and three touchdowns in BYU’s 41-22 win, and he could have had much, much more. He had only one carry for three yards in the second half before Coach Kalani Sitake told him his night was over. Martin is quickly climbing the ranks of rushing record holders for BYU.
Writer’s Note: All FBS team rankings referenced are from the College Football Power Rankings here at TheForkball.com. All FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS poll.
