That's why it is probably not a good time to be facing the cut-blocking Air Force Falcons this week. But that's what 9-1 BYU is up against, as it travels to Colorado Springs for Saturday's 1:30 p.m. Mountain West Conference clash.
Air Force uses the legal tactic - taking out a defensive player's legs in open space - probably as much as any team in college football. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said in his Monday news conference, after being asked about it, that he believes cut-blocking should be made illegal.
"Without even mentioning the game after Air Force, I am just not a proponent of the block, anyway," he said. "I don't think it is good for the game, and I think it puts our players at risk, and I am not saying Air Force is cheating or doing anything unethical, but if I were to have a say in the rules committee, and just in general, I don't think the block is necessary. . . . It is effective, and certainly it is difficult to defend, I am just not a proponent of it."
BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen said there's really nothing a player can do to prepare for cut blocks or guard against them.
"All the cutting that they do, . . . all that stuff, it gets old," he said. ". . . It gets old before I even step on the field."
Respecting the Falcons
The cut-blocking notwithstanding, Mendenhall said after Saturday's 41-12 win over SDSU that if he had to choose another program in the league to coach, it would be Air Force.
"I have a lot of respect for the type of young men that go to Air Force. In fact, I am not sure that if I were to choose another place in the league where I would like to coach, that I would have another pick besides them," he said. "I like how they play, and I think their coaches do a really nice job of matching scheme to the type of young men that they have - very similar to what we are attempting to do here."
Unga is day-to-day
BYU running back Harvey Unga suffered a second stinger in his shoulder and neck area against the Aztecs and is "day-to-day" until Thursday, Mendenhall said.
"Hopefully we can get him as much rest and recovery [as he needs]," Mendenhall said. "That doesn't guarantee he wouldn't come out of the game, with another solid hit, against Air Force, and most likely it will be like that through the rest of this year."
Quarterback Max Hall said that Unga told him on the sidelines in the second half Saturday that he was good to go, but BYU medical personnel would not let him back into the game.
Unga is the 42nd-leading rusher in the NCAA, averaging 85.7 yards per game.
Leading the way
BYU junior Austin Collie still leads the NCAA in receiving yards per game at 118.5. Collie is tied for fifth with Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree in receptions per game, 7.8. Tight end Dennis Pitta is No. 24 in receiving yards per game, 87.9, but is No. 3 for tight ends.
Hall is sixth in passing efficiency, 169.2, and 11th in total offense, 314.4 yards per game.
Briefly
Mendenhall said that Andrew Rich will probably start at cornerback against the Falcons, or be on the field somewhere, because he is such a sure tackler. . . . In 19 quarters this season, the Cougars have allowed zero points. In the other 21 quarters, they've allowed 182.
drew@sltrib.com
Saturday's game
No. 16 BYU at Air Force,
1:30 p.m., CBS College
