But the BYU sophomore quarterback wasn't out for long. He returned after missing just one play at the start of the second half, and led BYU to a 31-6 victory over Air Force on Saturday afternoon.

"I kind of got my bell rung a little bit, and I kind of had to shake it off," Hall said. "But it is part of the game and I am fine."

Hall's been getting his bell rung a lot this season. Aside from the second-half jolt, Hall absorbed a blindside hit from Air Force cornerback Reggie Rembert in the second quarter that led to a fumble.

It marked the fourth consecutive game in which Hall has fumbled while getting hit from the blindside - or to put it in more stark terms, in every game BYU (2-2, 1-0 MWC) has played this season.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said there is "no question" he is concerned about the free shots being leveled at his quarterback.

"Any of us wouldn't want to be hit from the blindside," Mendenhall said. "Max's strength is also his weakness where he stands in the pocket and he will stay in and he will be competitive and he will stay on his reads. It's not his job. It's the protection's job to make sure he is not hurt."

Although Hall self-reported a clean bill of health, he admitted he could do without the blindside hits.

"I am getting tired of that," he said. "Part of it is my fault. I have to know when they are bringing a corner blitz or a blindside blitz. I am definitely going to get better at picking up those blitzes for sure."

A group effort

BYU took a by-committee approach to its kicking game against Air Force.

Walk-on freshman Brian Smith handled the kickoffs, redshirt freshman Mitch Payne handled the extra points and field goals and junior C.J. Santiago did the punting.

Payne finished the day perfect with four extra-point attempts and a 42-yard field goal. Smith averaged 59.5 yards on kickoffs and Santiago averaged 41 yards on three punts.

Quick hits

BYU receiver Austin Collie (ankle) was removed from the game in the first half for precautionary reasons. . . . Air Force is the only Mountain West Conference opponent BYU has never shut out. . . . BYU senior cornerback Ben Criddle blocked a 46-yard field-goal attempt by Air Force kicker Ryan Harrison in the second quarter. . . . Freshman nose tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna recorded his first career sack.

rpotkey@sltrib.com