The cool thing was when you watched BYU football when you were little, he was the only one throwing the ball to the running back out of the backfield. That got me interested in what they were doing. – Savannah State coach Earnest Wilson,
PROVO — Although Savannah State’s result on the field in Saturday’s 64-0 loss to BYU left a lot to be desired, the trip out West to take on the Cougars did not. At least not according to Savannah State coach Earnest Wilson, who grew up idolizing LaVell Edwards and what the legendary BYU coach brought to college football.
Wilson first learned of Edwards, and his then unique brand of football, while playing running back in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. While most programs used their running backs only for rushing the football, Wilson was struck with how the Cougars, under Edwards, employed theirs.
“The cool thing was when you watched BYU football when you were little, he was the only one throwing the ball to the running back out of the backfield,” he said. “That got me interested in what they were doing.”
Wilson went on to play at Texas Tech before undertaking a coaching career that has taken him around the country. Throughout that time he's been able to take in some of college football's most storied programs, but this weekend marked the first time he was able to take in BYU and its storied history.
Wilson came away grateful for that opportunity.
“Even though I played against Ohio State, coached at Penn State and coached against Michigan and (other) big-time schools, this was one in history where you want to say, ‘Hey, I’ve been there and was part of that,'” he said.
Wilson wanted the same experience for his players — many of whom have yet to branch out from the Deep South.
“I wanted to show them Salt Lake City,” Wilson said. “I’ve been out here before when I was with New Mexico State … and I wanted to show them another part of the world and how football is.”
According to Wilson, the experience was well-received by his players.
“They loved being out here,” he said. “They were taking pictures of the mountains and getting to know about the Mormon mission and just to learn about the great history of BYU football.”
As for the game, the Tigers obviously took some lumps, leaving Wilson complimentary of current BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and how he handled things — particularly in the second half.
“Coach Mendenhall is first-class — that‘s a first-class man,” Wilson said. “He probably could have put more points on us … but Coach Mendenhall chose to run the ball and run the clock and that’s first-class.”
Perhaps Wilson's only regret away from the game itself was leaving without crossing paths with Edwards.
“I wish I would have met LaVell while I was here, but it was a great honor,” Wilson said. “For me (Edwards) is one of those icons.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney