PROVO—When LaVell Edwards took the helm of the BYU football program 30 years ago, he promised his team would pass the football. His first season in 1972, ironically, yielded the nation's top rusher, Pete VanValkenburg.
Could history repeat itself?
Not likely. But during Saturday's season-opening 70-35 victory over Tulane, in the first game under pass-happy Gary Crowton, junior Luke Staley became an early frontrunner for the 2001 NCAA rushing title, gaining 142 yards on only 10 carries. He also scored three touchdowns, including a career-best 65-yard TD jaunt, in the first quarter.
Following the game, Staley was asked what he thought of Saturday's rush-oriented offense. "You know," he said with a grin, "I like it."
His sparkling performance didn't surprise his teammates or coach Gary Crowton. Staley came into this season as healthy as he's been since bursting onto the scene in 1999 as a true freshman.
At the end of that campaign, he missed three games before undergoing knee and shoulder surgery during the off-season. Last year, he suffered a concussion in the season-opener against Florida State, and later he had midseason knee surgery. Obviously, the Cougars are hoping the Tualatin, Ore., native is injury-free this season. A part of their offensive success rests on Staley and his massive calves.
"A healthy Luke Staley," said former coach LaVell Edwards, who watched the Tulane game in person, "makes a difference."
If Staley stays healthy during his final two seasons, he could threaten the all-time touchdown record at BYU. His three scores Saturday gave him 23 touchdowns for his career, 17 shy of the mark held by Jamal Willis.
Staley wasn't the only Cougar chewing up big yardage on the ground. BYU looked a little like Air Force against the Green Wave. The Cougars rolled up 437 rushing yards as Brian McDonald (103) and quarterback Brandon Doman (115) also broke the 100-yard barrier. Staley, McDonald and Doman became the first BYU rushing trio since 1986 to gain 100 yards apiece in a game.
"I feel like we have two real strong running backs," Crowton said. "Our quarterback can also run the ball. Our passing game will be good, too. It will give us balance and make it difficult for teams to defend us."
The running game worked so well against the Green Wave, the Cougars used only a fraction of the passing packages contained in their play book.
McDonald sustained a severe bruise on his hand against Tulane, but Crowton says the injury shouldn't keep him out of this week's game against Nevada.
Before adding to his rushing yardage total on Saturday, McDonald added a name to the back of his jersey. According to BYU football media relations director Jeff Reynolds, McDonald's parents never married and Brian has gone by the surname of his mother, Juanita McDonald. To honor his father, George Ashford, he has added Ashford to his name. Thus, the back of his uniform bears McDonald-Ashford.
E-MAIL: jeffc@desnews.com