The BYU Cougars managed a clean sweep of the weekend, winning in all sports. With struggles from football this year and basketball last year, it’s a sweet treat to see all those W’s on the board.
O fans of the BYU Cougars, rejoice, for your team winneth.
Saddled with injury, inconsistency, and some hard luck, the banner sports of football and basketball haven’t exactly been a pleasure to the eyes this last calendar year. The Loyal, Strong, and True have felt more foiled, wrong, and through.
But this last weekend, the boys on the field and the court were able to christen the day with celebrations. And not them only. The women’s basketball team and volleyball team also sailed through unblemished.
Football finds fulfillment
No, it wasn’t the taste of glory that a win at Fresno State would have given them. But taking down UNLV just like it’s the 2000’s again was a great big sigh of relief.
QB Joe Critchlow and RB Squally Canada were the story.
The QB acquitted himself well in his first ever start, leading as exactly the kind of game manager the Cougars needed from a man who was the fourth-stringer when the season opened. No turnovers, few unwise passes, and just enough downfield looks put together a fine resume to be the signal caller the rest of the year. Especially with Beau Tanner done for the season.
What a catch and run! BYU’s Aleva Hifo just put these UNLV’s defenders on skates... 👀 #ShakeAndBake @byuROC @BYUfootball #BYUFootball #BYUvsUNLV pic.twitter.com/rcF4mgJuBb
— Fan Insider (@FanInsider_) November 11, 2017
The RB seemed to finally fulfill some of the promise hinted at as Jamaal Williams’ protege. His 52-yards-then-hit-empty run was his best work of the day, but he had plenty of busting rumbles to join the ranks of 200+ yards in a game rushers in Cougar football history.
Of course, this was in no small part thanks to an offensive line that firmly reminded the Lobos that they are still UNLV, and opened cart-wide lanes so that Squally could ply his trade against the second level of the defense.
Both QB and RB stepped up when injury and suspension depleted their positions. Both are a big reason the Cougars snagged their first road win of the season. And there was much rejoicing.