Football
In 2007 Max R. Hall (’10) was the nation’s top sophomore quarterback in yards passing, throwing for 3,848 yards. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Mesa, Ariz., is also now the MWC’s all-time sophomore passing leader, breaking the previous record of 3,069 yards set by Wyoming’s Casey Bramlet in 2001. Comparing Hall to his BYU predecessors, he ranks second behind Ty Detmer (BS ’92), who threw for 4,560 yards in his sophomore season.
Ty Detmer (BS ’92) and Gifford Nielsen (BA ’77) both wore the number 14 during their legendary seasons at BYU. The number, retired at BYU’s football season opener last year, now hangs on the press box in LaVell Edwards Stadium next to those of Steve Young (BS ’84), Marion E. Probert (BS ’55), and J. Eldon Fortie (BS ’63).
Cross Country
The men’s cross country team placed first at the MWC championships, taking the MWC title now three years in a row. At the NCAA Championships, senior Chandler R. Goodwin’s (’08) All-American finish helped the Cougar men secure a no. 22 finish. The Cougar women came in at no. 25.
Ice Hockey
Four sets of brothers are vying for minutes on the ice this season. The sibling rivalry runs deep between the Burkhart, Holmes, Rasmussen, and Welsh brothers. “Of course, the little brother is constantly trying to outdo the older brother,” says BYU hockey coach Edwin E. Gantt (BS ’92). “It’s pushing everybody to do better, really.”
Soccer
The women’s soccer team took first place in the MWC tournament, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA championship. BYU was the only MWC team to advance and was ranked 22nd going in, but the Cougars lost in the first round to the no. 7 Texas Longhorns.