This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • San Jose State was caught unprepared for BYU's use of running back Michael Alisa last Saturday, Oct. 8.
Oregon State won't be.
But Alisa still figures to play a prominent role in BYU's fledgling running game, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said on Oct. 11, after the sophomore from Provo's Timpview High had 16 carries for 92 yards in the Cougars' 29-16 win over the Spartans. Alisa, who was a linebacker before his LDS Church mission, had three carries for 2 yards prior to last week's game.
"I would hope to see him in a continued role," Mendenhall said. "Averaging over 5 yards a carry is exceptional. We have been looking for a back to run between the tackles, a physical presence, from the beginning to the season until now, and Mike has been so impressive on special teams, and so impressive in practice, that it appeared over time that he deserved an opportunity."
Thanks to a season-high 224 rushing yards against SJSU, the Cougars have moved up to 98th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 116 yards per game on the ground.
Oregon State is 47th against the run, yielding 130.2 yards per game.
"They said they were going to give me a few touches just to see how I did," Alisa said. "I just told myself that I would make the best of every opportunity that I was given."
Turnover turnaround
The Cougars are 94th in the country in turnover margin at minus-0.67. They have forced 11 turnovers, but have had 15 (eight fumbles, seven interceptions). Take away that disastrous Utah game that saw them give the ball away seven times, and would be on the opposite side of the ledger.
"Really, it just starts in practice," said receiver McKay Jacobson. "It is just a mindset going forward and just putting a little extra emphasis and effort on it. I think those things will clean up and just overall as a team I think we can do a better job helping everybody and rally around the ball if there is a fumble or anything. Really, just working at it [is the key]."
Briefly
Head athletic trainer Kevin Morris said the Cougars are as healthy as they've been all season and no player is questionable for Saturday's game, which marks BYU's first trip to the state of Oregon since it lost 32-16 at Oregon on Sept. 29, 1990. The Cougars last played at OSU in 1978, losing 10-6 on Sept. 9.
Twitter: @drewjay