This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • Collectively, the starting five on Brigham Young's massive offensive line weigh in at more than 1,500 pounds.

Their size and strength would seem to give credence to the myth that offensive linemen are merely hulking Goliaths who value brawn above brains.

"That's a total misconception, that they're big, dumb guys," BYU offensive line coach Mark Weber said. "Big, dumb guys can't play offensive line."

The complex defenses and offenses of modern football make it necessary for the O-line to play with intelligence as well as muscle. They need quick minds as well as quick feet.

They also must play as one.

Matt Reynolds, Braden Hansen, Terence Brown, Jason Speredon and Braden Brown are five fingers coming together to create a fist.

Nick Alletto and Walter Kahaiali'i provide the main backup.

They have been a bright spot during the struggle that, so far, has been 2010.

"[BYU] was looking for more than athletes," BYU center Terence Brown said. "They wanted guys who can make plays."

For example, as Brown settles over the ball, before any snap to the quarterback, he must make split-second reads of the opposing defense and make the correct blocking call.

Of course, there's also the snap count to remember.

"The big key," said offensive guard and the only starting senior Jason Speredon, "is how Terence directs traffic. He's a big part of our success, directing traffic."

Last season, with a pass-first offense, the big and talented BYU offensive line allowed fewer than two sacks a game.

This year, with more emphasis on the run, the Cougars average 4.6 yards a carry.

What isn't a myth is the preference of every offensive lineman to run block rather than pass block — to deliver a blow rather than be on the receiving end of one.

"It's an opportunity for us to be more physical," Terence Brown said. "That's why we play offensive line because we love running the ball and getting after people.

"We're happy for the opportunity."

BYU beat San Diego State this season with its offensive line.

The Cougars ran the ball 62 times for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

They also won the time-of-possession battle overwhelming, keeping the ball for more than 45 minutes.

"They knew we were going to run the ball. We knew we were going to be running the ball," said junior tackle and All-American candidate Matt Reynolds, who is a good bet to enter the NFL draft at season's end.

Weber insists that efficiency is important, whether the Cougars run 20 times or 50 times. That comes from hard work.

"They have to be able to work together," Weber said. "They have to make real-time adjustments, and they do a great job with adjustments because they are bright and smart and have a great football sense. They care about what they're doing."

The group's overall athleticism also took a large leap forward when sophomore Braden Brown moved from tight end to tackle.

"He's completely competitive and does not like to make a mistake," Weber said. "He's the one who volunteered. Braden Hansen was injured, and he volunteered. 'If you need an offensive lineman, I'd be happy to do it.'

"He's got great feet and great change of direction."

The only glory offensive linemen receive comes inside the locker room from grateful teammates and coaches. They feel pride in a job well done, and that is enough because that's the way it is.

"We love to get our hands in the dirt and drive [defenses] off the ball and off the line and get those first downs," Speredon said. —

Bowl bid in sight?

At 3-5, BYU must win three of its final four games to be bowl eligible (six wins).

Here's a look a the Cougars' final four games:

Nov. 6, UNLV, noon

• The Cougars' probably didn't need an extra week to prepare for UNLV, but they got one anyway. The Rebels (1-7) are struggling under first-year coach Bobby Hauck and have nothing left to play for, their bowl hopes long gone.

Nov. 13, at Colorado State, noon

• The Rams (3-6) figure to be coming off a loss when they play host to the Cougars because they are at San Diego State next week. However, beating CSU in Fort Collins is never easy for BYU, and probably won't be on the 13th.

Nov. 20, New Mexico, 4 p.m.

• The Lobos (0-8) are one of the worst teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision and should be the perfect tune-up opponent for the Cougars as they look to be playing their best football of the season heading into Utah week.

Nov. 27, at Utah, 1:30 p.m.

• The Cougars have knocked off the Utes three times in the past four seasons but are clearly at a talent disadvantage in this rebuilding year. If the Cougars need this win for a bowl bid, they're in trouble.

Jay Drew —

So far this season:

BYU's starting offensive line has allowed the run game to average 4.6 yards a carry.

The Cougars have run the ball 292 times this season, with 270 pass attempts.

BYU offensive tackle Matt Reynolds is an All-America candidate. —

BYU blog

V BYU officials issued a statement after another San Diego Union-Tribune story regarding the botched fumble call and subsequent replay from the Cougars' 24-21 win against the Aztecs a few weeks ago:

In response to continued media reports regarding instant replay from the BYU vs. San Diego State football game on Oct. 9, 2010, BYU has released the following statement. Decisions concerning replay officiating systems, including who is hired and assigned to work games, are made by the Mountain West Conference. The MWC conducted a thorough review of the matter in question from the BYU versus San Diego State game and took actions it deemed appropriate. BYU has reviewed the replay matter with the Mountain West Conference and is confident that the replay team followed standard MWC operating procedures.

To read the San Diego Union-Tribune story, visit http://bit.ly/atDJ1R