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Provo • BYU's student section, known as the ROC — for Roar of Cougars — didn't fill its sections of LaVell Edwards Stadium to the very top on Saturday night, but came awfully close for the third straight home game.

It is a far cry from last year, when student attendance at LES dwindled a bit. Part of the reason for that is that BYU no longer makes tickets as easily available to Utah Valley University students as it did in the past.

After last week's win over UConn, coach Bronco Mendenhall said he has noticed the improved student support.

"It was fun to have another night in LaVell Edwards Stadium," Mendenhall said. "Really impressed with our student section. They've been the best since I have been the coach at BYU, camping out before the games, and running into the stadium like the running of the bulls, and just charging to their seats. It is really fun. It is adding a nice element to our home game atmosphere."

Earlier in the week, offensive coordinator Robert Anae bought pizza for the students camping out just east of the stadium.

"Oh dang, our student support is off the chain," Anae said. "I don't know why, this year, but that is evident. I have been at other schools where the students make the game-day atmosphere, and that is here now. I have never seen it this way here. So yeah, students, keep going. You guys are rocking the college football world, and it is great to see the student involvement, and the student body buy-in. It is great to be a part of it, it is electrifying."

Injury update

The Cougars played without middle linebacker Harvey Langi, who missed his second straight game with an assortment of injuries.

Inside receiver Terenn Houk warmed up with a heavily taped ankle and was to be a game-time decision. He played, and had a 9-yard touchdown catch, his first TD of the season, in the first half.

Freshman linebacker Scott Huntsman, a special teams standout, suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder last week and is out for the season. Offensive lineman Ului Lapuaho suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game. Offensive lineman Kyle Johnson played after sitting out last week with a balky back; Defensive tackle Travis Tuiloma also saw his first action since leaving the opener against Nebraska with a knee sprain.

Mangum explains the brace

BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum played with a brace on his left knee for the fourth straight game, and said earlier in the week that he plans to wear it the entire season.

"Just a preventative measure," Mangum said. "It is just a left knee brace. A lot of quarterbacks wear them to prevent injuries. It is nothing specific or anything."

Blocked punts galore

Saturday's game featured two blocked punts, both in the first half. ECU's Trevian Hicks blocked Jonny Linehan's punt in the first quarter, and the Pirates recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.

It was the first time BYU has had a punt blocked for a touchdown since 2005 against Air Force.

BYU's Bronson Kaufusi blocked an ECU punt in the second quarter, and Trey Dye fell on it at the ECU 1-yard line. Algie Brown's 1-yard TD plunge tied the score at 14-14.

Briefly

BYU honored its 1965 Western Athletic Conference championship team before the game, and Ruth Ann Hudspeth, wife of the late Tommy Hudspeth, coach of that Cougars team, performed the ceremonial lighting of the Y. … The Cougars wore their royal blue jersey tops and white pants in Saturday's game to commemorate homecoming. .. Michigan, which handed BYU a 31-0 shutout two weeks ago, blanked Northwestern 38-0 on Saturday for its third straight shutout. … Former BYU QB Virgil Carter carried the alumni flag onto the field before the game.