LAS VEGAS -- BYU quarterback Kevin Feterik is confident the Cougars can move the ball on Air Force's eighth-ranked defense in the WAC championship game Saturday.
"We're going to run and pass," Feterik said. "Pretty much mix it up like we usually do. Then just go out and have fun."BYU coach LaVell Edwards pinpoints the importance of establishing a ground game. Against Utah, he said, big running plays opened things up and made all the difference in the world. BYU wound up with 441 yards of total offense -- 221 passing and 200 on the ground in its 26-24 victory two weeks ago. Ronney Jenkins rushed for 128 yards on a Ute defense ranked higher than Air Force's in defending the run.
"I hope we can do something against them. If it's running it's running. If it's passing it's passing. Either one, it doesn't matter to me," said Jenkins. "If we can run on them great, but I hope we can do both."
The key to victory could be time of possession. In its only loss this season, a 35-34 setback to TCU, Air Force had the ball for 13 1/2 fewer minutes than did the Horned Frogs. TCU ran plenty of time off the clock by running the ball 57 times for 256 yards.
Aside from a 35-yard team effort in a preseason loss to Washington, Feterik said BYU has proven it can run on anybody.
Just ask Utah.
UNDER THE WEATHER: Several BYU players battled flu-like symptoms on their first day in Vegas. Among those affected was All-WAC defensive lineman Daren Yancey who practiced Thursday without pads despite obvious discomfort. Trainer George Curtis is hopeful, however, that the entire team will be healthy by game time.
On the injury front, backup safety Jason Anderson did not make the trip. He sprained his right ankle in the Utah game and the injury has been slow to mend. A bone chip from an old high school injury has settled into the region compounding the healing process. Curtis is optimistic the redshirt freshman, who is undergoing daily therapy on his ankle, will be able to play in the Liberty Bowl.
MAKING HISTORY: Should Air Force win its final two games, including the WAC Championship game against BYU, its 1998 senior class could go down as the Falcons' all-time winningest.
Air Force has won 10 games in back-to-back seasons, something no other squad at the academy has ever accomplished. "This team will go down as one of the best in history," said coach Fisher DeBerry.
K.O. KING: Air Force senior offensive lineman Frank Mindrup, a second-team All-WAC performer, recently broke the school record for knockdown blocks with 623, including 22 against Rice. The old mark of 622 was set by Carlton Hendrix, who played from 1994-96.