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PROVO — Cody Hoffman is one catch away from becoming BYU's all-time leader in career receptions. Currently, Cody is tied with Dennis Pitta with 221 catches; and based on the fact that Hoffman has caught at least one pass in 36 consecutive games, the record should be his sometime Saturday afternoon.
"It would mean a lot," Hoffman said, when asked what the record would mean to him. "I know there's been a lot of good receivers here and a lot of great players overall; to break the record would be a great feeling."
Guy Holliday, BYU's receivers coach has been impressed with Hoffman since he joined the staff during the off-season. "I haven't had one (receiver) as skilled as him," Holliday said.
"He's talented. I'm excited to see his future; and as he develops more over these next six games...what's special about him is that winning is important; it's a joy for me to coach."
While the record would mean a lot to Hoffman, he's not spending a lot of time dwelling on it.
"It's in the back of my head," said Hoffman. I know it's there; but at the same time, I'm just going to do what I know how to do best and just make plays for the team."
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BYU's special teams play in 2013 has been fantastic. The Cougars average 27.17 yards per kick-off return -- good enough for 10th nationally.
Not only does JD Falslev rank 3rd in the country in punt return yards, kick-off return specialist Adam Hine ranks 3rd in the nation with an average of 32.7 yards per kick-off.
"It's been a lot of fun," Hine said. We put a big emphasis on our kick-off return team, and our team is unbelievable."
After missing the Utah State game due to a concussion, Hine was back to return kicks against Georgia Tech. During the game against the Yellow Jackets, Hine was extremely close to running a kick back for a touchdown; unfortunately, he was tripped up by the kicker. "Maybe if we make the kicker miss, we'll score one time," Coach Holliday, who works with the returners, jokingly said.
"We give him (Hine) a hard time. We call him forty-plus; he gets to the 40 and everything after that is a plus."
Offensive coordinator Robert Anae said that the success of BYU's special teams has been a huge advantage for the Cougar offense.
"They give us great field position, and we could use every great opportunity we can get. (I'm) very proud and excited about the way those guys work; Kelly Poppinga and what they're doing on special teams -- that is not a fluke, by the way; that is by design."
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The Houston Cougars are the best team in college football when it comes to turnover margin. Through five games this season, the Cougars are +14 on turnovers. The Houston defense has forced 18 turnovers, 10 fumbles and eight interceptions. That stat has not gone unnoticed by the BYU offense.
"They major in turnovers; getting them," Coach Robert Anae said. Ball security, that's at the top of the list; and it is every game."
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Center Terrance Alletto has still not been cleared to play after suffereing a stinger against Utah State. Offensive line coach Garett Tujague said he's day-to-day.
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Linebacker Kyle Van Noy appeared to collect three sacks against Georgia Tech last Saturday night, but was only credited with two sacks and a tackle-for-loss. BYU had been adamant that Van Noy deserved a sack and after reviewing the film multiple times, BYU has changed the stats to reflect three sacks for the senior against the Yellow Jackets.
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You can listen to post-practice audio from Robert Anae, Guy Holliday and Adam Hine by clicking on the links in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
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