Expect Jamal Willis to have a big game tonight.
Willis, BYU's senior halfback, will, in all likelihood, go over the 1,000 yard rushing barrier for the season on his first or second carry against San Diego State. BYU's all-time leading ground gainer needs just six yards to become the first BYU player to ever hit the century mark in rushing during two separate seasons.But that's not the only reason to expect big things from Willis tonight. You see, the Cougars - and especially Willis - seem to be at their best on network television. BYU is 3-0 on network TV this year and each time Willis has been named BYU's player of the game.
Tonight BYU (8-2 overall, 5-1 WAC) will face SDSU (4-5, 2-4) in a contest nationally televised by ESPN. Kickoff in Cougar Stadium is set for 6:05 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on KSL Radio (1160 AM).
"Playing on national television brings the emotion level up," Cougar receiver Mike Johnston said. "We've got a couple of guys who might go off to the NFL next season and it's a good chance to show the country what they're made of."
Willis' performances on network TV have, no doubt, boosted his professional stock. His two best rushing games in '94 - 204 yards against New Mexico and 151 at Air Force - were both on ABC. He also was the offensive star of the game during the Cougars' upset win at Notre Dame on NBC.
"Jamal has the ability to do it all," BYU coach LaVell Edwards said. "He obviously can run the ball and he's an excellent pass receiver and a fine blocker, too."
Meantime, quarterback John Walsh needs just 60 yards to overtake Steve Young for fourth on the all-time Cougar passing list.
"John Walsh is a tremendous player," first-year Aztec coach Ted Tollner said. "We're concerned because he makes good decisions and he gets the ball where it belongs. He very rarely forces the ball."
Walsh expects another barn-burner, perhaps along he lines of last season's 45-44 win or the 52-52 tie in '91, when the Aztecs and Cougs battle.
"We've had exciting games against San Diego State the last few years," Walsh said. "We're going to be pumped."
While San Diego State is playing primarily for pride, the game is crucial for BYU as far as the WAC race is concerned. The Cougars are tied with Utah and a half-game behind Colorado State in the league standings with two games to play. A sweep of the Aztecs and Utes would clinch at least a share of a sixth straight conference crown for the Cougars.
GAME NOTES: Walsh's sister is a student at SDSU, but he's sure she'll be cheering for BYU tonight . . . Despite having just three days to prepare for SDSU, the Cougars are relatively healthy. Tight end Chad Lewis sat out the Northeast Louisiana game due to a shoulder stinger, but is expected to play tonight. The only Cougar that definitely won't play is kickoff returner and backup halfback Tefua Bloomfield, who has missed the past three games with a broken finger . . . BYU leads the series 14-5-1, but the teams are 1-1-1 in the last three outings . . . Tollner coached BYU's quarterbacks, Jim McMahon and Steve Young, in 1981. He later became the head coach at USC before landing at SDSU.