2009 Las Vegas Bowl Preview
Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas, NV
December 22, 8pmET
BYU (10-2 SU, 5-7 ATS, PR: 79) vs. Oregon State (8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS, PR: 80)
Las Vegas Bowl Trends: 2-9 UNDER L11. BYU is 9-16-1 ATS L26. OSU is 5-3ATS L8 as a fave.
BYU is in this bowl for the fifth straight seasons. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall played for Oregon State, 20 years ago, so a win would be special. QB Max Hall (6-1, 201) leads the way with 3,368yds, 30TDs and 14 picks and his favorite target is senior TE Dennis Pitta (6-5, 248), who has 57 catches for 784 yards and also happens to be his brother-in-law. He also owns the NCAA record for tight ends with 2,856 yds. RB Harvey Unga (6-0, 239) leads with 1,016yds and 10 TDs.
The O-line is solid, though they have given up 21 sacks and averaged 4.1ypc. The defense allows 21.7ppg and just 3.4ypc with 112 ypg, but you can throw on the them (219ypg). Their rush defense ranks 21st int he country. The defense is led by soph. DE Jan Jorgensen (6-2, 228), who has 6.5 sacks and 56 tackles. Senior LB Shawn Doman (6-2, 232) is second on the team in tackles with 65, adding 4 TFLs and 3 fumble recoveries. The secondary is anchored by Andrew Rich (6-3, 215), who has 80 takles, one sacks, four picks and 2 forced fumbles. The return game is decent, while the kicking game is solid.
Oregon State is looking for their sixth straight bowl win, but has to be disappointed that they are not in the Rose Bowl. OSU is led by a very talented offense, but a 37-33 loss to rival Oregon on Dec. 3, cost them an opportunity to get to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1964. They have a great offense, that averages 32.4ppg and is led by senior QB Sean Canfield (6-4, 220), who was named first-team All-Pac-10. He threw for over 3,100yds with 21 TDs and just six picks. Another Pac-10 first-team performer, soph.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers (5-7, 193) ran for 1,377 yds and set a school record with 20 TDs. He also caught 74 passes for 509 yards. His older brother James (5-7, 185) led the team with 87 catches for 1,004yds. Last year, both brothers missed the Sun Bowl game due to injuries. The Oline has allowed 29 sacks, so pass protection has been a problem at times. On defense, the Beavers give up over 238 yards per game in the air. Not a great sign going up against Hall. Up front, they are led by junior Stephen Pea (6-1, 293), who has 41 tackles, 3 sacks and 7.5 TFLs. The pass rush has been weak all year, as they have just 15 sacks.
At linebacker, senior Keaton Kristick (6-3, 226) leads the team with 87 tackles, one sack, two picks and has 7.5 TFLs. In the secondary, OSU has just eight picks. Soph FS Lance Mitchell (6-2, 205) leads the team with 3 picks and also has 66 tackles. The kicking game is very good and James Rodgers is an explosive return man.
Key Injuries: BYU: LB T.Hooks (knee) is out. Oregon State: WR D.Catchings (ankle) is out.
Keys: Can BYU stop the Rodgers brothers? Can Oregon State contain Hall and the passing game?
Quick Look:
(16) Oregon State Beavers (8-4) vs. (15) B-Y-U Cougars (10-2)
Date: Tuesday, December 22nd Kickoff: 8 p.m. (et)
Site: Sam Boyd Stadium (36,800) — Las Vegas, Nevada Surface: FieldTurf
Annual: 18th Projected Payout Per Team: $1,000,000
Announcers: Rece Davis, Lou Holtz, Mark May and Todd Harris
Home Record: Oregon State 4-2; B-Y-U 4-2
Away Record: Oregon State 4-2; B-Y-U 5-0
Neutral Record: Oregon State 0-0; B-Y-U 1-0
Current Win/Loss Streak: Oregon State 1L; B-Y-U 4W
Las Vegas Line: Oregon State 2 (Total, 60.5)
All-Time Series: Oregon State (5-3)
Last Meeting: November 15, 1986 (Oregon State, 10-7 at B-Y-U)
Series Streak: Oregon State has won two of the last three meetings.
Versus Opposing Conference: Oregon State vs. Mountain West (24-16-1)
Versus Opposing Conference: B-Y-U vs. Pac-10 (32-56-1)
Bowl Records: Oregon State (8-4 — 1-0 in MAACO Bowl Las Vegas), B-Y-U (9-17-1 — 2-2 in MAACO Bowl Las Vegas)
2009 National Rankings: Oregon State – 16th, B-Y-U – 15th
Coaches: Oregon State – Mike Riley (64-46 at Oregon State)
(Career Record, Same as above)
B-Y-U – Bronco Mendenhall (48-15 at B-Y-U)
(Career Record, Same as above)
Popularity: unranked [?]
