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Air Force report: Calhoun puts BYU's Hall in Heisman mix

By Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 12, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.

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He Said It

"We're kind of gaining momentum after that TCU loss. We have to make sure we continue to keep things rolling."

Max Hall, BYU quarterback

Numbers Game

293 passing yards and two touchdowns by BYU's Max Hall last season against Air Force as the Cougars snapped a three-game Falcons winning streak.

Air Force

Pure admiration

AIR FORCE ACADEMY - There's little doubt in Air Force coach Troy Calhoun's mind Brigham Young's Max Hall is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and should be mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

"He's superb," Calhoun said. "This guy is one of the six or seven best in the country not just at the quarterback position but in terms of being a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. That is what you see on tape. He's got the kind of moxie you want leading your football team. He's got a pretty special presence about him."

Making a difference

Freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson has started the past five games for the Falcons and is 5-0 as a starter.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall has noticed the difference.

"One of the biggest differences is their play at quarterback," he said. "They execute well but with that kind of different catalyst at that spot and I think that's where most of their momentum has been generated.

"I've been very impressed with Air Force. I like their discipline and the effort they play with and it's a very good team."

Cut that block

Air Force doesn't do it as much as in years past, but it still employs the cut block, which Mendenhall would like to see banned from the game.

When players use the cut block, they aim at a defender's legs and feet instead of at the numbers.

"Without even mentioning the game after Air Force (Utah), I am just not a proponent of the block," Mendenhall said in a story in The Salt Lake Tribune.

"I don't think it is good for the game and I think it puts our players at risk, and I am not saying Air Force is cheating or doing anything unethical, but if I were to have a say in the rules committee, and just in general, I don't think the block is necessary."

Hall