Post Game: BYU Starts Slow, Finishes Strong

NEW ORLEANS--With under four minutes left in the 1st half, No. 9 BYU led Tulane, a team that hasn't had a winning season since 2002, by the score of 6-3. Two field goals were the only scores BYU's high-powered offense could muster until then. But then the tide turned, a sluggish offense came to life, and the rest is history, as BYU rattled off 48 unanswered points on their way to a 54-3 rout of Tulane.

BYU's 206 rushing yards were more than the total yards that Tulane could produce, a sub-par 162. BYU finished the game with 527 yards of total offense. After last week's emotional win over Oklahoma, and with an important match up next Saturday against Florida State, there was speculation that BYU would struggle focusing on a game against a less-than-stellar team. And with only a few minutes left in the first half, and Tulane still in the game, the speculation seemed to be transforming into reality. However, BYU's Bryan Kariya was able to punch it in from the one yard line for a touchdown with 3:28 left in the half. BYU reacted quickly with an interception followed by a touchdown catch for Kariya with 25 seconds to go before halftime. The momentum had swung to BYU, and they wouldn't look back.

Max Hall, now being referred to as a Heisman contender, finished the game 24-32 for 309 passing yards, two TDs, and one INT. While Harvey Unga's hamstring injury continued to bother him, RBs Di Luigi and Kariya filled in nicely with 12 carries each, combining for 134 yards on the ground.

Tulane's losing woes continued. After sustaining a 50+ yard drive in the second quarter that resulted in a field goal to pull Tulane within three points, the team looked hopeful. But Tulane's defense couldn't contend with BYU's powerful O-line, and by the time the 4th quarter began, Tulane's D-line was worn down.

Stat of the game: 527. BYU passes the 500 yards mark against Tulane's less-experienced defense.

Next week: Florida State @ No. 7 BYU