Mason scores 4 TDs to help BYU improve to 2-0
BYU Football News
Senior offensive captain WR Oliver Mason continued a hot start to the season by scoring 4 TDs to help the BYU Cougars defeat the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 33-28. BYU built a 21-7 lead before MTSU threatened in the 3rd and 4th quarters, but the Cougars were able to hold on to improve to 2-0 to start the year.
"Man, it feels really good to get this win," BYU head coach Kyle Borland said. "I've always had trouble against MTSU so getting this win on a new team feels great. It's also awesome that we're 2-0 already. I'm feeling really good about this team."
Mason was unstoppable for the Cougars and scored all of their TDs on the day. The senior WR caught 10 passes for 200 yards and was on the receiving end of all 3 TD passes from senior QB Ed Pino, and also returned a 2nd-quarter punt 86 yards for a game-changing TD.
"I'm really glad to see Mason take over," Coach Borland said. "We hit a few rough spots during the game, and each time Mason was there to get us back on track. He's going to have a special year."
Mason's 3 TDs and a Billy Parker field goal gave BYU a 24-7 lead, but the Blue Raiders would not go away quietly. MLB Mark Burch intercepted a Pino pass and returned it 82 yards for a score, while RB Chaz Covington broke loose for a huge 92-yard TD run to cut BYU's lead to 24-21. Unfortunately, BYU was able to work the clock and get another field goal out of Parker and Mason's 4th TD to put the game out of reach. MTSU scored again with only 40 seconds to play to account for the final score.
As for BYU, Pino had a solid day throwing the ball, completing 27-of-40 passes for 418 yards. Pino of course hit Mason for 3 scores and was intercepted twice. Senior WR Sheldon Newman also went over the century mark receiving with 117 yards.
The BYU running game was solid but not spectacular against the Blue Raiders, and suffered a tough loss to injury. Junior RB Walter McGrew tallied 69 yards on 19 carries but left the game in the 4th quarter. McGrew suffered a bruised shoulder and will miss the next 3 games. Sophomore QB Will Dunn was great running some option, totaling 58 yards on 8 carries.
BYU stays on the road and travels to face a tough Nebraska team, who is also 2-0.
Box Score
MTSU 7 : 0 : 14 : 7 - 28
BYU 14 : 7 : 3 : 9 - 33
1st ---
MTSU --- M. Kerr 21 pass from D. Kerr (Wilkerson kick)
1st --- BYU --- Mason 25 pass from Pino (Parker kick)
1st --- BYU --- Mason 3 pass from Pino (Parker kick)
2nd --- BYU --- Mason 86 punt return (Parker kick)
3rd --- BYU --- Parker 31 FG
3rd ---
MTSU --- Burch 82 INT return (Wilkerson kick)
3rd ---
MTSU --- Covington 92 run (Wilkerson kick)
4th --- BYU --- Parker 21 FG
4th --- BYU --- Mason 40 pass from Pino (conversion failed)
4th ---
MTSU --- Nelson 56 pass from D. Kerr (Wilkerson kick)
Team Stats
1st Downs: MTSU --- 11 ... BYU --- 27
Total Offense: MTSU --- 335 ... BYU --- 536
Rushes-Yards: MTSU --- 15-122 ... BYU --- 45-118
Passing (C-A-I): MTSU --- 14-26-2 ... BYU --- 27-40-2
Passing Yards: MTSU --- 213 ... BYU --- 418
Times Sacked: MTSU --- 3 ... BYU --- 4
3rd Down Conversions: MTSU --- 3-9 ... BYU --- 9-17
Turnovers: MTSU --- 3 ... BYU --- 5
Individual Stats
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Dan Kerr, QB --- 11 - 19 - 168 yds, 2 TD
Stephen Denman, QB --- 3 - 7 - 45 yds, 2 INT
Chaz Covington, RB --- 11 att. - 138 yds, TD
Matt Kerr, WR --- 4 rec. - 72 yds, TD
Deon Thompson, TE --- 4 rec. - 41 yds
Eric Nelson, WR --- 2 rec. - 84 yds, TD
Mike Poole, CB --- 11 tkls
Marques Morgan, OLB --- 11 tkls (1 TFL), FF
Cory Houston, MLB --- 10 tkls (1 TFL)
Leonard Henderson, CB --- 10 tkls, INT, FF
Mark Burch, MLB --- 10 tkls (3 TFL), INT, FF, TD
BYU
Pino, QB --- 27 - 40 - 418 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 6 att. - (-32) yds
McGrew, RB --- 19 att. - 69 yds
Dunn, QB --- 8 att. - 58 yds
Taylor, RB --- 9 att. - 20 yds
Hunter, FB --- 3 att. - 3 yds
Mason, WR --- 10 rec. - 200 yds, 3 TD; 104
PR yds, TD
Newman, WR --- 7 rec. - 117 yds
E. Jackson, WR --- 7 rec. - 70 yds
Cooper, MLB --- 6 tkls
T. Walker, SS --- 4 tkls
Lewis, MLB --- 3 tkls (2 TFL), 2 sacks, INT