2010 BYU Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 football 2010 BYU Cougars BYU Cougars logo.svg 150px Mountain West Conference MW 7–6 5–3 Bronco Mendenhall 6th Robert Anae 6th Jaime Hill 3rd Matt Reynolds Andrew Rich Air raid 3–4 LaVell Edwards Stadium New Mexico Bowl champion New Mexico Bowl W 52–24 vs. UTEP File:MWC-Uniform-BYU-2005-2008,2010.png The 2010 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars, led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall, played their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium and were members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 5–3 in Mountain West play and were invited to the New Mexico Bowl where they defeated UTEP 52–24. 2010 was BYU's final season as a member of the Mountain West as started competing as an Independent in football beginning in 2011 with all other sports joining the West Coast Conference. Pre-season Recruiting In the preseason, the Cougars had many talented prospects come in. No.1 rated QB by rivals.com, Jake Heaps, joined the team, along with three players from The Oakridge School, Ross Apo, Tayo Fabuluje, and Teu Kautai Media Poll At the Mountain West media days on July 27, BYU was picked by 31 voters to finish 3rd in the conference behind TCU and Utah. Offensive linemen Matt Reynolds and free safety Andrew Rich were both named to the pre-season all-conference team.Cougars chasing Frogs and Utes in MWC media poll http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/darnell-dickson/article_811ff9a6-99df-11df-9594-001cc4c002e0.html Herald Extra July 27, 2010 Conference Re-alignment The Cougars weren't directly affected by conference expansion in June, but will lose conference rival (effective Fall 2011) Utah to the newly formed Pac-12. Before Utah was invited to the older Pac-10 conference, Boise State agreed to leave the WAC and join the MWC in 2011. Rumors began circulating afterward about whether the BYU-Utah rivalry would survive the transition. On August 31, the BYU Athletic Department issued a press release that BYU would leave the Mountain West Conference next year, go independent in football beginning with the 2011 season and join the West Coast Conference for all other sports.BYU football will go independent, join WCC in other sports 31 August 2010 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061799/BYU-football-will-go-independent-join-WCC-in-other-sports.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100905215018/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061799/BYU-football-will-go-independent-join-WCC-in-other-sports.html dead September 5, 2010 Deseret News August 31, 2010 Schedule 2010 AP Mountain September 4 5:00 p.m. w y Washington LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT CBSCS 23–17 63,771 September 11 2:00 p.m. l y Air Force Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO Versus 14–35 46,692 September 18 1:30 p.m. l y y Florida State Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL ESPNU 10–34 68,795 September 25 4:00 p.m. l y Nevada LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT The Mtn. 13–27 61,471 October 1 6:00 p.m. l y y Utah State Old Wagon Wheel Romney Stadium Logan, UT ESPN 16–31 24,152 October 9 4:00 p.m. w y San Diego State LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT The Mtn. 24–21 62,176 October 16 2:00 p.m. l y TCU 4 Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX Versus 3–31 40,416 October 23 12:00 p.m. w Wyoming LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT The mtn. 25–20 60,505 November 6 12:00 p.m. w UNLV LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT The mtn. 55–7 61,283 November 13 12:00 p.m. w y Colorado State Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO The mtn. 49–10 16,501 November 20 4:00 p.m. w New Mexico LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT The mtn. 40–7 59,077 November 27 1:30 p.m. l y Utah 23 Holy War Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City, UT The mtn./CBSCS 16–17 45,272 December 18 12:00 p.m. w y y UTEP New Mexico Bowl University Stadium Albuquerque, NM ESPN 52–24 32,424 Season Defensive Coordinator, Jaime Hill was fired the day after BYU lost to Utah State, BYU's fourth loss of the season after only playing five games. BYU had not started the season with a 1–4 record since 1973. After the firing of Hill, linebacker coach Nick Howell was moved to coach the secondary and Kelly Poppinga was promoted from graduate assistant to coach the linebackers.Mendenhall fires defensive coordinator Jaime Hill http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/50400919-88/hill-coach-defensive-byu.html.csp SL Tribune October 4, 2010 Game summaries Washington 2010 Washington Huskies football team BYU opened the season with Y Quarterback Weekend. During Y Quarterback Weekend all 8 All-American quarterbacks, including Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian, returned and were recognized for their outstanding achievements while at BYU.BYU Cougars vs Washington Huskies Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/Washington-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com August 30, 2010 Washington at BYU Huskies 7 10 0 0 Cougars 5 8 10 0 September 4 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 5:04 pm MST 3:24 63,771 92 °F °C on, Clear, winds SSW 8 mph Terry Leyden Dave Ryan, Aaron Taylor, & Brooke Olzendam CBS-CSources:BYU Cougars vs Washington Huskies (Sep 4, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-Washington.pdf BYUCougars.com September 4, 2010 It was a back and forth battle mostly through the air between the Cougars and the Huskies. Jake Locker threw for 266 yards. Nelson and Jake Heaps combined to throw for 262 yards, 131 each. In his first start in four years though, Riley Nelson threw for 2 touchdowns while the Cougars defense swarmed Washington forcing a safety. No turnovers occurred in the game, but BYU managed to come from behind to defeat the Huskies. The win over the Huskies evened up the series between the Cougars and the Huskies at 4–4.Washington 17, BYU 23 http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=201009040088 Rivals.com September 4, 2010 Washington BYU collapsed 1 10:02 Washington 7 73 3:03 RecTD J. Kearse Jake Locker 19 good Eric Folk run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 4:30 BYU SafetyOther Will Mahan rushed for −15 yards & fumbled the ball. Wash recovered fumble in the endzone where they were touched down for the safety. 7 2 1 00:31 BYU 9 66 3:53 FG 22 Mitch Payne 7 5 2 12:08 BYU 8 47 2:36 RecTD Josh Quezada Riley Nelson 19 run (Riley Nelson) good 7 13 2 5:09 Washington 9 80 3:25 RushTD Jake Locker 9 good Eric Folk run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 13 2 00:00 Washington 11 63 1:55 FG 54 Eric Folk 17 13 3 6:59 BYU 11 58 5:33 FG 29 Mitch Payne 17 16 3 4:23 BYU 3 48 0:56 RecTD JJ Di Luigi Riley Nelson 48 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 23 17 23 Air Force 2010 Air Force Falcons football team BYU entered into their second game of the season with a 5-game winning streak against the Air Force Falcons.BYU Cougars vs Air Force Falcons Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Air-Force-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com September 7, 2010 BYU at Air Force Cougars 14 0 0 0 Falcons 7 14 7 7 September 11 Falcon StadiumColorado Springs, CO 2:06 pm MST 3:02 46,692 70 °F °C on, Clear and Sunny, winds SSE 18 mph Karl Richins Joe Beninati, Kelly Stouffer, & Lindy Thackston VersusSources:BYU Cougars vs Air Force Falcons (Sep 11, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Air-Force.pdf BYUCougars.com September 11, 2010 The first quarter played out like most people expected the game would, all offense and very little defense. BYU had 44 yards passing to Air Force's 46. BYU had two touchdowns to Air Force's one. However, the Air Force defense would turn it on in the second quarter. Nelson and Heaps would combine to throw for only 44 more yards through the final three quarters while Air Force racked up 409 rushing yards. With the turnovers that BYU had, the game would turn into a blowout in favor of the Falcons. The Falcons had only won 6 of the 30 meetings between the teams going into 2010, but they got the last laugh before BYU left for Independence and cut the series to 24–7.Air Force (finally) garners emotional win over BYU http://www.gazette.com/articles/live-104515-air-blog.html Colorado Springs Gazette September 11, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100917012058/http://www.gazette.com/articles/live-104515-air-blog.html September 17, 2010 dead BYU AFA collapsed 1 9:43 BYU 12 74 5:21 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 8:34 Air Force 5 61 1:05 RecTD Mikel Hunter Tim Jefferson 37 good Erik Soderberg run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 7 1 2:29 BYU 5 49 2:43 RushTD Riley Nelson 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 2 9:42 Air Force 17 80 7:56 RushTD Tim Jefferson 5 good Erik Soderberg run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 14 2 5:17 Air Force 2 48 0:40 RushTD Mikel Hunter 33 good Erik Soderberg run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 21 3 2:24 Air Force 9 76 3:56 RushTD Jon Warzeka 46 good Erik Soderberg run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 28 4 12:34 BYU 5 45 2:15 RushTD Nathan Walker 5 good Erik Soderberg run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 35 14 35 Florida State 2010 Florida State Seminoles football team It the contest of 2010 was a road trip to Florida State, a team BYU was 0–3 against in their school's history. Previous contests took place in 1991, 2000, and 2009.BYU Cougars vs Florida State Seminoles Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Florida-State-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com September 15, 2010 BYU at Florida State Cougars 0 10 0 0 Seminoles 3 10 14 7 September 18 Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell StadiumTallahassee, FL 1:36 pm MST 3:13 68,795 93 °F °C on, Fair Skies w/ Humidity at 36%, winds ENE 9 mph Dan Romeo Pam Ward and Danny Kanell (ESPNU); Frank Fangie, Gino Torretta, & Roxy Bernstein (Touchdown Radio Productions) ESPNU; Touchdown Radio ProductionsSources:BYU Cougars vs Florida State Seminoles (Sep 18, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Florida-State.pdf BYUCougars.com September 18, 2010 In a battle where both offenses struggled, the Seminoles defense came up with the last laugh. Florida State had eight sacks, forced six punts, and made BYU turnover the ball twice, both leading to points that helped the Seminoles pull away for the win.Florida State beats BYU behind big second-half effort, strong defense http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/seminoles/florida-state-beats-byu-behind-big-second-half-924331.html Palm Beach Post September 18, 2010 The loss wasn't the only bad news for BYU. The following Monday QB Riley Nelson had an MRI. It was revealed that he suffered a shoulder injury during the FSU game, and it would require five to six months of surgery and rehab before he would be able to play again.Injury sidelines BYU QB Riley Nelson for '10 season http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/article_be29c0bd-b0e5-58d7-9bcd-4327226ceb6c.html Herald Extra September 22, 2010 The NCAA would grant Nelson a medical redshirt, allowing him to be a senior in 2012 instead of 2011. BYU FSU collapsed 1 0:39 Florida State 10 62 4:49 FG 26 Dustin Hopkins 0 3 2 9:56 Florida State 4 -9 1:24 FG 47 Dustin Hopkins 0 6 2 7:40 Florida State 1 83 0:14 RushTD Chris Thompson 83 good Dustin Hopkins run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 13 2 4:26 BYU 7 49 3:20 FG 28 Mitch Payne 3 13 2 0:14 BYU 11 71 2:00 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 13 3 7:16 Florida State 14 63 6:53 RecTD Ty Jones Christian Ponder 2 good Dustin Hopkins run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 20 3 0:55 Florida State 4 86 1:37 RushTD Christian Ponder 1 good Dustin Hopkins run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 27 4 1:35 Florida State 4 7 2:23 RushTD Ty Jones 9 good Dustin Hopkins run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 34 10 34 Nevada 2010 Nevada Wolf Pack football team The Cougars returned home with a new full-time starting QB in Jake Heaps knowing they would face a high powered Nevada team. BYU and Nevada had met 3 times previously, with BYU owning a 2–1 advantage.BYU Cougars vs Nevada Wolf Pack Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-Nevada-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com September 20, 2010 Nevada at BYU Wolf Pack 14 10 0 3 Cougars 7 3 0 3 September 25 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 4:06 pm MST 3:09 61,471 74 °F °C on, Sunny, winds WSW 7 mph Marvel July Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, & Sammy Linebaugh Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs Nevada Wolf Pack (Sep 25, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-Nevada.pdf BYUCougars.com September 25, 2010 Nevada held BYU to 320-yards of total offense in Jake Heaps first start. JJ Di Luigi rushed for 68 yards and scored BYU's lone touchdown. Only 1 turnover was forced the entire game, an Interception that allowed BYU to tie the game up, but Colin Kaepernick threw for 196 yards and effectively allowed the Wolf Pack runners to scramble throughout the game. Despite outpassing the Wolf Pack (229 to 196), BYU would fall to 1–3.Nevada beats BYU 27–13, improves to 4–0 http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2010/09/25/nevada-beats-byu-27-13-improves-to-4-0/ Nevada Sage Brush September 25, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101126041952/http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2010/09/25/nevada-beats-byu-27-13-improves-to-4-0/ November 26, 2010 dead mdy-all Nevada BYU collapsed 1 10:16 Nevada 9 84 4:44 RecTD Courtney Randall Colin Kaepernick 6 good Anthony Martinez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 7:04 BYU 5 36 1:31 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 2 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 7 1 1:39 Nevada 12 80 5:36 RushTD Vai Taua 1 good Anthony Martinez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 2 9:18 Nevada 9 57 4:48 RushTD Colin Kaepernick 4 good Anthony Martinez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 7 2 1:20 BYU 11 35 3:04 FG 27 Mitch Payne 21 10 2 0:00 Nevada 9 55 1:23 FG 38 Ricky Drake run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 10 4 11:27 Nevada 21 75 8:58 FG 29 Anthony Martinez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 27 10 4 7:46 BYU 9 65 3:36 FG 29 Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 27 13 27 13 Utah State 2010 Utah State Aggies football team The Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel headed to Logan in 2010 with BYU having won 10 straight, with Bronco Mendenhall having never lost to the Aggies, and with BYU having not scored less than 30-points against the Aggies since 1982. With the start freshman Jake Heaps became the third freshman to have started more than one game as starting QB at BYU. All good things must come to an end though.BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Utah-State-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com September 27, 2010 BYU at Utah State Cougars 0 3 7 6 Aggies 10 14 7 0 October 1 Romney StadiumLogan, UT 6:06 pm MST 3:22 24,152 Warm and clear Terry Leyden Joe Tessitore and Rod Gilmore ESPNSources:BYU Cougars vs Utah State Aggies (Oct 1, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Florida-State.pdf BYUCougars.com October 1, 2010 A 31–16 thumping at the hands of Utah State completed the Cougars non-conference season. With Utah and TCU still to go on the schedule, people began to wonder if the Cougars had any heart or if they could get bowl eligible. The defense was ranked 102nd in the nation, and the offense wasn't moving the ball past midfield. Jake Heaps was averaging more than 200-yards a game passing, but it wasn't resulting in points. Independence for 2011 seemed to be all forgotten.Loss to Utah State has BYU stumbling toward football independence http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/10/loss-to-utah-state-has-byu-stumbling-toward-football-independence/1#.T7u6LlI8CSo USA Today October 2, 2010 October 2, 2010 BYU USU collapsed 1 6:57 Utah State 2 81 0:51 RecTD Xavier Martin Diondre Borel 79 good Braeden Loveless run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 00:27 Utah State 10 36 4:16 FG 34 Braeden Loveless 0 10 2 6:54 Utah State 12 62 4:43 RushTD Diondre Borel 1 good Braeden Loveless run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 17 2 3:28 BYU 9 48 3:29 FG 23 Mitch Payne 3 17 2 0:49 Utah State 7 33 2:33 RushTD Derrvin Speight 1 good Braeden Loveless run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 24 3 6:32 Utah State 12 69 4:45 RushTD Derrvin Speight 1 good Braeden Loveless run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 31 3 3:44 BYU 8 75 2:41 RushTD Bryan Kariya 1 good Matt Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 31 4 00:31 BYU 8 66 1:42 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 3 no good Matt Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 16 31 16 31 San Diego State 2010 San Diego State Aztecs football team BYU came into the series with the Aztecs holding a 26–7–1 record and knowing that San Diego State had never won two in a row against the Cougars. They also knew that if they lost, all chances of a bowl game would be crushed.BYU Cougars vs San Diego State Aztecs Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-San-Diego-State-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com October 4, 2010 San Diego State at BYU Aztecs 0 7 7 7 Cougars 14 0 3 7 October 9 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 4:06 pm MST 3:04 62,176 60 °F °C on, Cloudy, winds WNW 7 mph Greg Burks Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, & Sammy Linebaugh Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs San Diego State Aztecs (Oct 9, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-SDSU-Stats-Book.pdf BYUCougars.com October 9, 2010 July 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140726033050/http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-SDSU-Stats-Book.pdf dead A hard-fought homecoming game was overshadowed due to an ugly replay incident in the fourth quarter. A relatively obvious fumble that would have given San Diego State the ball and prevented a BYU touchdown was ruled instead to be BYU's ball. Replay officials agreed with the call, despite its obvious incorrectness. Following the game, accusations of partisanship were levelled against the replay officials because one of the men in the booth was a BYU employee. This was standard procedure at the time, and the lead replay official, who was the one who actually decided to uphold the call on the field, was a resident of Reno, Nevada with no connection to BYU.http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/cougars/55470914-88/byu-sdsu-cougars-aztecs.html.csp BYU football: Plenty of memories, acrimony with San Diego State Despite this, the negative reaction to the incident was significant enough that three MWC officials were suspended and a new rule was put into place by the MWC which stated that alumni could no longer officiate games involving their alma mater, even if they were only assigned to the replay booth.Misinformation involving suspension of replay officials 14 October 2010 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700073748/BYU-football-Misinformation-involving-suspension-of-replay-officials.html https://archive.today/20120730055022/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700073748/BYU-football-Misinformation-involving-suspension-of-replay-officials.html dead July 30, 2012 Deseret News October 14, 2010 BYU would go on to drive for a TD which gave them the 24–21 win. SDSU BYU collapsed 1 4:57 BYU 19 78 8:34 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 3 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 2:02 BYU 5 24 2:40 RushTD Bryan Kariya 3 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 2 5:00 San Diego State 2 52 0:31 RecTD Vincent Brown Ryan Lindley 36 good Abel Perez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 14 3 6:21 BYU 8 38 4:22 FG 29 Mitch Payne 7 17 3 3:43 San Diego State 8 83 2:38 RecTD Gavin Escobar Ryan Lindley 1 good Abel Perez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 17 4 13:43 BYU 9 67 4:51 RushTD Bryan Kariya 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 24 4 6:27 San Diego State 6 59 2:38 RecTD Brand Sullivan Ryan Lindley 4 good Abel Perez run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 24 21 24 TCU 2010 TCU Horned Frogs football team BYU headed to Fort Worth for the tenth meeting with the Horned Frogs holding a 5–4 advantage in the overall series.BYU Cougars vs TCU Horned Frogs Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-TCU-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com October 11, 2010 BYU at #4 TCU Cougars 0 0 3 0 Horned Frogs 3 14 0 14 October 16 Amon G. Carter StadiumFt. Worrth, TX 2:06 pm MST 2:53 40,416 84 °F °C on, Sunny with Clear Skies, winds S 15 mph Tom Walker Joe Beninati, Kelly Stouffler, & Lindsay Soto VersusSources:BYU Cougars vs TCU Horned Frogs (Oct 16, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-No.-4-TCU.pdf BYUCougars.com October 16, 2010 The Cougars went into Ft. Worth having one main goal- show improvement over their other losses. They knew many people wouldn't pick them to win, and they knew Heaps wasn't producing as well on the road. BYU's defense showed remarkable improvement over early in the year, giving up only 3 points in the first 29 minutes. However offensive turnovers late in the first half put the BYU defense in a bad spot. The offense's ineptitude at moving the ball (only 147 yards for the game) led to BYU's downfall.Good signs − and bad − for BYU after TCU loss http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/article_9a184330-b81c-5ef8-baf0-43fa551a6413.html Herald Extra October 18, 2010 BYU TCU collapsed 1 3:27 TCU 7 39 3:27 FG Ross Evans 20 0 3 2 1:30 TCU 2 46 0:20 RecTD Josh Boyce Andy Dalton 35 good Ross Evans run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 10 2 0:26 TCU 3 38 0:54 RecTD Jimmy Young Andy Dalton 14 good Ross Evans run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 17 3 1:14 BYU 14 70 5:42 FG 27 Mitch Payne 3 17 4 10:03 TCU 8 64 3:47 RecTD Josh Boyce Andy Dalton 20 good Ross Evans run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 24 4 4:26 TCU 9 51 4:41 RecTD Jeremy Kerley Andy Dalton 21 good Ross Evans run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 31 3 31 Wyoming 2010 Wyoming Cowboys football team Needing to win 4 of the last 5 games to become bowl eligible, BYU began its quest against a Cowboys team that hadn't scored against BYU for the past 9 regulation quarters. Since 2006, BYU had owned the series against Wyoming by a score of 46.5–4.3 per game, and BYU led the overall series 43–30–3.BYU Cougars vs Wyoming Cowboys Game Notes http://www.ksl.com/?nid=272&sid=12874029 KSL October 18, 2010 Wyoming at BYU Cowboys 0 10 3 7 Cougars 16 0 3 6 October 23 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 12:06 pm MST 2:56 60,505 48 °F °C on, Cloudy with some rain, winds N 5 mph Alan Eck James Bates, Todd Christensen, & Toby Christensen Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs Wyoming Cowboys (Oct 23, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-Wyoming-Stats.pdf BYUCougars.com October 23, 2010 The Cougars defense dominated the game and held Wyoming to less than 200 yards. Turnovers on the offensive end kept the game close. It would take a last possession stand by the Cougar D to secure their third win of the year.Cougars jump on Cowboys then hang on 23 October 2010 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700075834/BYU-football-Cougars-jump-on-Cowboys-then-hang-on.html https://web.archive.org/web/20101024185507/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700075834/BYU-football-Cougars-jump-on-Cowboys-then-hang-on.html dead October 24, 2010 Deseret News October 23, 2010 Wyoming BYU collapsed 1 10:35 BYU 10 58 4:25 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 7 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 9:53 BYU SafetyOther Wyoming fumble for −15 yards, recovered in the end zone by Wyoming for a BYU safety. 0 9 1 4:53 BYU 5 33 2:01 RushTD Bryan Kariya 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 16 2 3:50 Wyoming IntTD Keith Lewis 55 good Ian Watts run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 16 2 00:52 Wyoming 4 -7 2:06 FG 44 Ian Watts 10 16 3 5:20 BYU 9 48 4:37 FG Mitch Payne 42 10 19 3 00:30 Wyoming 11 56 5:10 FG 38 Ian Watts 13 19 4 12:34 BYU 7 70 2:31 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 12 pass incomplete 13 25 4 6:50 Wyoming 4 80 1:20 RecTD Chris McNeil Austyn Carta-Samuels 16 good Ian Watts run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 25 20 25 UNLV 2010 UNLV Rebels football team After a bye week the Cougars returned to action to play UNLV for the final time as conference opponents. The series had largely been dominated by BYU (14–3), and 2010 would be the same.BYU Cougars vs UNLV Rebels Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-UNLV-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com November 1, 2010 UNLV at BYU Rebels 0 0 0 7 Cougars 14 24 14 3 November 6 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 12:06 pm MST 3:11 61,283 57 °F °C on, Partly Cloudy, winds SW 5 mph Randy Christal Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, & Sammy Linebaugh Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs UNLV Rebels (Nov 6, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-UNLV-stats.pdf BYUCougars.com November 6, 2010 In what can only be classified as a slaughter, BYU would thoroughly crush UNLV. They outgained the Rebels offensively 516 to 144. 70 of the Rebels yards came against BYU's second and third team players.Total domination: BYU 55, UNLV 7 http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=11917631&itype=storyID SL Tribune November 7, 2010 UNLV BYU collapsed 1 7:53 BYU 9 49 4:25 RushTD Josh Quezada 13 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 2:31 BYU 11 86 4:19 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 2 12:41 BYU 8 44 2:43 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 21 2 9:27 BYU 2 58 0:26 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 37 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 28 2 3:01 BYU 8 76 3:43 RushTD Josh Quezada 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 35 2 00:00 BYU 5 23 0:47 FG 48 Mitch Payne 0 38 3 9:51 BYU 3 47 1:13 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 42 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 45 3 1:26 BYU 10 68 4:24 RushTD Josh Quezada 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 52 4 8:00 BYU 12 44 6:48 FG Mitch Payne 25 0 55 4 0:41 UNLV 11 70 2:36 RecTD Marcus Sullivan Caleb Herring 24 good Ian Watts run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 55 7 55 Colorado State 2010 Colorado State Rams football team With their first 2-game win streak in tow, BYU headed to Ft. Collins to face the Rams for the last time as MWC foes. It was the 69th meeting between the two schools, and BYU owned a 38–27–3 advantage in the series history.BYU Cougars vs Colorado State Rams Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-CSU-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com November 8, 2010 BYU at Colorado State Cougars 14 21 7 7 Rams 0 0 0 10 November 13 Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes StadiumFt. Collins, CO 12:06 pm MST 2:47 16,501 38 °F °C on, Cloudy, winds S 7 mph Land Clark Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, & Roger Bailey Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs Colorado State Rams (Nov 13, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-CSU-Game-Stats-PDF.pdf BYUCougars.com November 13, 2010 The Cougars suffered 2 turnovers, including one on their opening series, but they were nearly flawless. On third down they went 12-for-13. They racked up 526 yards total offense, including 396 with the starters. Corby Eason forced a fumble that Kyle Van Noy returned for a score. The Cougars dominated the Rams in virtually every fashion as they became one wni away from being bowl eligible with two games to play.Cougars crush Colorado State 49–10 http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-CSU-Game-Stats-PDF.pdf SL Tribune November 14, 2010 BYU Colorado St. collapsed 1 8:56 BYU 4 89 1:19 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 62 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 3:36 BYU 7 44 3:42 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 7 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 14:49 BYU FumbleTD Kyle Van Noy 44 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 0 2 7:21 BYU 7 74 3:24 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 36 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 0 2 0:27 BYU 9 82 3:53 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 8 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 35 0 3 00:17 BYU 16 76 7:20 RushTD Zed Mendenhall 1 Mitch Payne good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 42 0 4 7:58 Colorado State 15 63 7:19 FG 34 Ben Deline 42 3 4 5:49 BYU 4 59 2:03 RushTD David Foote 31 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 49 3 4 3:07 Colorado State 8 80 2:42 RecTD Raymond Carter Pete Thomas 22 good Ben Deline run/pass good/failed/incomplete 49 10 49 10 New Mexico 2010 New Mexico Lobos football team With their first 3-game win streak in tow, BYU returned home for Senior Day and a chance to become bowl eligible. Luke Ashworth came in as the FBS Player of the Week after his 4-TD performance against Colorado State. It was the 60th meeting between the two schools, and BYU owned a 44–14–1 advantage in the series history.BYU Cougars vs New Mexico lobos Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-vs.-New-Mexico-Game-Notes_0.pdf BYUCougars.com November 15, 2010 New Mexico at BYU Lobos 0 0 7 0 Cougars 17 3 7 13 November 20 LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT 4:06 pm MST 3:04 59,077 48 °F °C on, Windy & Rain Likely, winds SSW 29 mph Cooper Castleberry Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, & Sammy Linebaugh Mtn.Sources:BYU Cougars vs New Mexico Lobos (Nov 20, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-New-Mexico-Stats.pdf BYUCougars.com November 20, 2010 The Cougars managed to have 0 turnovers, but the crowd wasn't pleased. The crowd booed many of the officials calls as the Cougs and Lobos played in the wind with a chance of rain. The Cougars managed to outgain the Lobos 494 to 259. The defense showed they had come a long way since the Utah State game as they entered the game as one of the Top 15 defenses in the nation since late October. Heaps would say the Cougars were peaking at the right time, and the Cougs walked away with another easy win to become bowl eligible.Cougars pound Lobos, turn attention to Utes http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=12160061&itype=storyID SL Tribune November 21, 2010 UNM BYU collapsed 1 10:01 BYU 3 12 2:11 RushTD Jake Heaps 1 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 7:07 BYU 5 21 1:06 FG 34 Mitch Payne 0 10 1 2:58 BYU 7 80 3:06 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 17 2 00:35 BYU 16 84 6:14 FG 28 Mitch Payne 0 20 3 9:46 BYU 11 72 5:10 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 15 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 27 3 4:14 New Mexico 13 72 5:36 RecTD Quinte Solomon Stump Godfrey 12 James Aho good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 27 4 14:10 BYU 12 82 4:58 RushTD Josh Quezada 14 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 34 4 7:17 BYU 10 80 4:58 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 10 no good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 40 7 40 Utah 2010 Utah Utes football team Holy War (BYU–Utah) Going into the final week of the season, the Cougars found themselves with a chance to win second place in the conference. The opponent standing in their way was their hated rival of the Deseret First Duel, the Utah Utes. Both BYU and Utah entered into the game having lost conference games to TCU, but a BYU win would give them the tiebreaker over Utah for second place.BYU Cougars vs Utah Utes Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Utah-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com November 22, 2010 BYU at #22 Utah Cougars 3 3 7 3 Utes 0 0 0 17 November 27 Rice-Eccles StadiumSalt Lake City, UT 1:37 pm MST 3:08 45,272 29 °F °C on, Overcast, winds S 4 mph Terry Leyden James Bates, Todd Christensen, & Sammy Linebaugh Mtn. & CBS-CSources:BYU Cougars vs Utah Utes (Nov 27, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Utah-Final-Stats.pdf BYUCougars.com November 27, 2010 July 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140726073713/http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/BYU-at-Utah-Final-Stats.pdf dead The Cougars dominated the first three quarters, but they were unable to find the endzone consistently. With a 13–0 lead, Las Vegas Bowl representatives were ready to extend an invitation once again to BYU. BYU would cost themselves dearly in the fourth. Two turnovers by BYU led to 2 Ute touchdowns. With Utah driving late in the final quarter, cornerback Brandon Bradley intercepted a Jordan Wynn pass but fumbled on the return, giving the ball back to Utah. Initial replay review appeared to show that Bradley's knee was down before the fumble occurred, but the initial call of a fumble was upheld on review. Following the fumble, Utah would score on a 3-yard run to take the lead at 17–16. The Utes would block a Payne field goal attempt on the final play of the game to conserve the win. It would go down as one of the many great BYU-Utah games solely because of the fourth quarter.BYU vs. Utah football: Ute Redemption http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=12274928&itype=storyID SL Tribune November 28, 2010 BYU Utah collapsed 1 4:34 BYU 10 45 3:48 FG 43 Mitch Payne 3 0 2 00:02 BYU 7 21 2:23 FG 37 Mitch Payne 6 0 3 4:51 BYU 3 19 0:58 RecTD McKay Jacobson Jake Heaps 21 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 0 4 14:56 Utah 12 39 4:53 FG 40 Joe Phillips 13 3 4 13:46 Utah 1 37 0:14 RecTD De Christopher Jordan Wynn 37 good Joe Phillips run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 10 4 7:38 BYU 15 56 7:38 FG 42 Mitch Payne 16 10 4 4:24 Utah 3 38 1:24 RushTD Matt Asiata 3 good Joe Phillips run/pass good/failed/incomplete 16 17 16 17 New Mexico Bowl 2010 UTEP Miners football team 2010 New Mexico Bowl Old WAC rivals were put together in the New Mexico Bowl as the 6–6 Cougars took on the 6–6 Miners. It was the 37th meeting overall with BYU holding a 28–7–1 advantage in the series.BYU Cougars vs UTEP Miners Game Notes http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/New-Mexico-Bowl-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com December 13, 2010 2010 New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. UTEP Miners 3 7 7 7 Cougars 17 14 14 7 December 13 University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM 12:09 pm MST 3:27 32,424 51 °F °C on, Partly Cloudy, winds W 11 mph Stan Evans Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese, & Jenn Brown (ESPN)Dave LaMont, JC Pearson, & Shannon Spake (ESPN Radio) ESPN/ESPN RadioSources:BYU Cougars vs UTEP Miners (Dec 18, 2010) http://byucougars.com/files/pdf/New-Mexico-Bowl-Game-Notes.pdf BYUCougars.com December 13, 2010 BYU went into the New Mexico Bowl with the sole purpose of building momentum for the 2011 season.For Cougars, New Mexico Bowl is all about building momentum http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=12630042&itype=storyID SL Tribune December 18, 2010 UTEP went in hoping they could score and keep up with BYU after their season had changed due to the loss of their star player. The game would turn into a high scoring affair where freshmen would rule the day. Jake Heaps would throw for four touchdown passes and freshman Cody Hoffman would have 137 yards receiving with 3 touchdown receptions. Heaps would win the Offensive Most Outstanding Player award and would cement his role as the starter for BYU in the 2011 season. It would end up being the highlight of Heaps career at BYU. Defensively BYU senior safety Andrew Rich would earn MOP honors.Cougars complete turnaround with 52–24 rout of UTEP http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=12640385&itype=storyID SL Tribune December 18, 2010 UTEP BYU collapsed 1 10:29 BYU 4 37 1:28 RushTD Bryan Kariya 4 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 4:37 BYU 12 78 5:00 RecTD Luke Ashworth Jake Heaps 9 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 1 2:42 UTEP 4 -13 1:50 FG 52 good Dakota Warren 3 14 1 00:34 BYU 8 28 2:10 FG 38 Mitch Payne 3 17 2 14:43 BYU 1 31 0:14 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 31 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 24 2 8:55 BYU 8 64 5:30 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 3 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 31 2 8:38 UTEP 1 67 0:14 RecTD Kris Adams Trevor Vittatoe 3 good Dakota Warren run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 31 3 8:18 BYU 14 75 6:43 RushTD JJ Di Luigi 2 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 38 3 4:55 UTEP 6 66 3:24 RecTD Kris Adams Trevor Vittatoe 37 good Dakota Warren run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 38 3 00:14 BYU 5 46 2:18 RecTD Cody Hoffman Jake Heaps 29 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 45 4 12:00 BYU 7 65 2:47 RushTD Josh Quezada 8 good Mitch Payne run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 52 4 9:48 UTEP 4 60 2:13 RecTD Kris Adams Trevor Vittatoe 49 good Dakota Warren run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 52 24 52 References 2 External links ESPN.com season wrap-up BYU Category:BYU Cougars football seasons Category:New Mexico Bowl champion seasons BYU Cougars football