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Hall throws three TDs as BYU extends winning streak

Oct 12, 2008 - 5:02 AM PROVO, Utah (Ticker) -- Max Hall threw three touchdown passes Saturday as eighth-ranked Brigham Young overcame its lowest scoring output of the season to defeat Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico, 21-3.

Hall completed 22-of-34 passes for 258 yards to pace BYU (6-0, 2-0 MWC) to its 16th consecutive win - the longest active streak in the country.

It certainly was not an easy day for the Cougars, who were held scoreless in the opening quarter for the first time this season and faced a 3-0 deficit on James Aho's 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

"I was happy the way (we) responded," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "In the second half, they responded in the way they needed to to win the football game."

BYU, which entered averaging 41.2 points per game, finally got on the scoreboard when Hall found Andrew George for a 1-yard TD with 6:34 remaining in the first half.

"We're definitely not used to that kind of halftime score," said BYU running back Harvey Unga, who finished with 95 yards rushing. "But we were up, and we couldn't let that go out of focus."

The 7-3 halftime lead turned out to be the only margin BYU's defense needed, as the Cougars limited the Lobos (3-4, 1-2) to 285 yards from scrimmage while forcing two turnovers.

The Cougars made it 14-3 with six minutes left in the third quarter when Hall hooked up with George again, this time for an 11-yard score.

Hall's favorite target was Austin Collie, who hauled in nine receptions for 154 yards. The duo connected for an 8-yard scoring strike with 3:11 remaining to provide the final margin.

"Austin has some key catches during that drive," Hall said.

Rodney Ferguson rushed for 86 yards on 24 carries for the Lobos, who have lost their last four meetings with the Cougars.

New Mexico appeared to close within 14-10 on Bryant Williams' 14-yard TD reception midway through the fourth quarter.

But the play was nullified by a block in the back penalty, and the Lobos turned the ball over on downs by throwing a pair of incompletions on their next two plays.

"I don't know if we would have won or lost, but an obvious blown call changed the entire momentum of the game," New Mexico coach Rocky Long said. "It is criminal that they changed the momentum like that. It should have been a hell of a game right to the end, and an official took it away from us."