Reader comments: BYU football: Playing for Cougars a dream come true

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Error? | 5:42 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Didn't McKay Jacobsen return a punt for a touchdown against Wyoming? That was November 9, 2006 and I remember it very well. I also think Nate Meikle got pretty close too.

In any case, I am excited to see Chambers play. From what I hear, he is a great addition to an already stacked receiving corp.

Go Cougars!
Oops - Tackle not Guard | 6:54 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Quote - 'Freshman Matt Reynolds, Dallas' younger brother, is now the starting left guard. "He has picked up on the tackle position," Bright said of Matt.'

Jeff, you need to read what you write. You meant to say that Matt is the starting left tackle. You also said Dallas moving from left guard to center. He moved from left tackle to center.

Not a big deal but seems like a quick proofread should have caught this.
Dreams | 6:59 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I like his enthusiasm. Chambers is going to be a fun player to watch.
Comments continue below
No error | 6:59 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
McKay Jacobsen did return a "punt" for a touchdown, but the story reported that the Cougars haven't returned a "kickoff" for a touchdown since Rigell did it so the story is accurate. Nate Meikle did get close on a kickoff return, and replays show that it probably should have been ruled a touchdown, but it wasn't. I hope O'Neill Chambers makes good on his guarantee. It would be very exciting.
Nope | 7:00 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Yes, Jacobsen returned a punt for a touchdown in '06, but Rigell was the last one to return a kickoff for a touchdown. Meikle got close to taking back the opening kickoff in that same game against Wyoming, but was marked down at the 1 or 2.
Anonymous | 7:01 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
No one has returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Rigell. Jacobsen returned a punt.
Ernest T. Bass | 7:08 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
He sounds awesome.
Austin Collie | 7:10 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
If he's living right, he'll return a kickoff or punt.
Just catch the ball | 7:15 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
A fumble close to our own goal-line or multiple fumbles throughout the season would negate the value of one return for a touchdown. I'm sure the coaches are saying - just catch the ball on your first few opportunities. Get some yardage if it is there, but hang on to the ball.
Meikle was in | 7:37 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
TD. No doubt. Bad call.
geezer | 7:51 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I have a good football memory and I can barely remember Rigell's kickoff return for a touchdown. All in all this has been a glaring weakness for Cougar football along with punt returns. It's exciting to think those things may improve this season.
Excited About Chambers | 8:14 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
This kid obviously has loads of talent and appears to be a sportswriters dream as well. He'll probably make a few quotes that end up in the opposing teams locker room but he will more than likely make good on them. He may be starting at receiver sooner than we think since he's backing up Collie and we all know Collie will soon be our starting QB - just kidding. I expect to see him starting alongside Collie in Reed's place next season but a returned McKay Jacobson along with the two other freshmen this season will all have something to say about that. We are really building up a wealth of talent at the receiver and TE position.
Chambers = Coats? | 8:20 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Remember when Dan Coats came in as a freshman? He was a highly touted receiver who had good size and loved to hit. Sounds a lot like Chambers. Coats got even bigger real fast and was moved to TE where he could hit all he wanted. He now continues it as a TE/FB with the Bengals. Chambers just seems so much bigger and more physical than the typical receiver it makes me wonder if he could follow the same path? I doubt it with our depth at TE but he does seem similar to Coats when he came in as a freshman.
Tyler | 8:22 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Just think next year will have Collie, Jacobson back and Chambers...LOL

This year is going to be great but 09 could be SUPER AWSOME!

Florida State at home..

Jacobson had another that he went down at the 1 or 2 if i rember right?

Tyler
Ted | 8:29 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I am dreaming the donko becomes the next crowton. He will.
Barf | 8:37 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Dream to play for the cougar-ettes? Please. You dream to play for an SEC, Big Ten or dominant PAC school, not a loser school.
CougarBlue | 8:49 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Block, Block, Block. For him to do this we need to have far better blocking schemes on punt returns and kick offs. I hope he does do it. It will be thrilling to see.

Now, Sorenson needs to continue putting the ball out of the end zone and we won't have any returns on our kick offs. Now that Payne is healed let's hope he booms the punts so that there is also no punt returns.
Hope he is | 9:06 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I hope this kid is as good as he thinks he is. He has confidence, and I don't belittle that, I think it is a key component on a world class athlete. He may be fun to watch for four years. There aren't a lot of kicks returned for tds, throughout the whole of college football, so it is not necessarily a weakness for BYU.
Bob in Boise | 9:07 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
McKay's last name is spelled Jacobson.
Jebus | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
A dream come true? Playing for byU? How about a nightmare that never ends. Its similiar to those dreams when you are running your hardest and your not going anywhere. That is what it will be like when the Utes kick to you after scoring a touchdown. You will be target practice for our boys
Optimist | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
You have to love this kid Chambers. He has become one of our stars before ever playing a game for us.
This article has just boosted his rating with me.
manasen | 9:17 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
How times have changed! I was a BYU freshman 1969-70, when Chris Farasopolos (sp?) was the team's star because he requently returned kickoffs for TDs. He was the star because that was about all the weaponry we had back then. As I recall, the defense had outscored the offense the first half of the season -- at least I do remember the cheerleaders' having us get a little snarky with "The best offense is a good defense!"
Dreams can be dangerous | 9:38 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
It is kind of a cultural thing in the LDS community to have dreams that you later think were somehow spiritually directing you. Lehi's ended in a road trip even further than florida. But I know of a couple RMs who dreamed the girl they saw at that last fireside was to be their future enternal companion. Unfortunateley the girls bought it and in both of the situations they are divorced now. Chamber's dream has so far come true. I just hope it has a better ending.
dreamer | 9:47 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
please what a suck up "oh i had a dream about going to byu and thought this is where i should be" please he probably dreamt about this because he did not have a offer from miami so he had no choice..looks like the reynolds brothers will be playing together boy what a surprise that is lets get all the coaches kids in so they can play this is the reason why i did not want my son going to this school because no matter how good he is on the line he would not have had the opportunity to play because we had to let the coaches kids play...

GO UTES....
Eh? | 9:50 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Doesn't Santiago do the punting? I don't believe he graduated but I could be wrong.
BYUtah fan | 9:52 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I am incredibly excited for the start of the season. I am thrilled with the prospect of watching the Cougar offense pick up from last year with a year more of growth and experience. I also think the defense will be even better than last year - faster and more athletic. It may take a couple of games but the defense will mature into an amazing unit.

On the other hand, while every game is important, the really key game this week is Utah-Michigan. If Utah can pull it out against Michigan then there is the potential for an historic MWC season, If BYU can then play to its potential, we could have a titanic clash of highly ranked teams on November 22. Football fans - it does not get any better than that. OK it's just a dream right now. But, it is an achievable dream. Go Cougs Go Utes
12 years | 10:05 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Every 12 years since 1972 something very special happens for BYU's football program. 1972: LaVell was became coach; 1984 Natinal Championship; 1996 finished 5th in the nation and won a New Years Day bowl game. This year it's 12 years since that great season in 1996. I think this is going to be a great season for us.
BigPoet | 10:20 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Someone should tell Chambers the story of Kresimir Cosic and the dream Cosic had that led him to BYU in Utah Valley. In his dream he saw the mountain range close by and he saw himself playing in the largest indoor area in the world. Both came true because Cosic felt that his dream occurred for a purpose and he followed through on it.
Anonymous | 10:23 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Re: Dreamer.

You are full of it. Maybe that happens in high school, and it probably happened a bit in the past (Norm Chow always had his favorites), but it seems pretty clear that on Bronco's team, you earn your position; doesn't matter if you have a scholarship, are a walk-on, or are the water-boy.

If your son is good enough, he'll play, otherwise you can send him to the U.
Hmmm... | 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
"he probably dreamt about this because he did not have a offer from miami so he had no choice."

Yeah, he picked BYU because he was only getting offers from lame schools like Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Georgia, Clemson, Purdue, and Texas Tech.
Losers... | 10:34 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
are the naysayers whose only lot in life is to make inane comments on sports blogs... Ted, Barf, Jebus... yes, that's you.

to: dreamer | 9:47 a.m. Sour grapes. If your kid was good enough to start, it wouldn't matter that he wasn't a coach's son.

Chambers is going to be fun to watch. His type of exuberance is catching (pun intended). It would be fitting for him to get his first return for a TD in his first game at BYU. A True Blue Dream Come True.
Coach's Kids | 10:34 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Yeah when both Dallas and Matt are in the NFL it will still all somehow be about being coach's kids. How about the fact that they were both all-american's in hs? No - it's only cause their daddy is the coach. I'm guessing that your Ute's d-line will think they are on the field for a few other reasons when they aren't able to so much as put a single grass stain on Hall's jersey. But you just keep telling yourself its only cause they are the coach's kids.
Hmmm... | 10:37 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Yes, the Utah at Michigan game is important. But the game that would really make the MWC shine this year is TCU at Oklahoma in late September. If TCU is undefeated and pulls off an upset there, I would imagine they would become BCS favorites from this conference.
re: dreamer | 11:13 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
one team to rule them all! | 11:16 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
hey dreamer by son do you mean the profile you created on ncaa 09 ???? even he wouldnt be good enough to go to byu! the scary thing for all the teams on byu's schedule is not that they think they deserve to be in a bcs game its that they are willing to do whatever it takes to earn a spot at the top of colligate football. Like it or not BYU has a load of talent and arent going anywhere but up! sorry utah try getting a coach who dosnt behave like an angry teenager (wyoming game)
Dreams can be dangerous | 11:22 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Are you referring to if you die in your dream you die in real life too? That would be pretty dangerous.
Reynolds boys... | 11:44 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Its true, its happened before and it will happen again and again. Not saying that they're not talented, however, there are other players more deserving of the chance to play. Must be nice to know that you'll play even without proving yourself.
re: Coach's Kids | 11:50 a.m. Aug. 27, 2008
It IS true. The Reynolds boys will always play. While they may all have talent, there is definitely a favoritism, has been ever since the Reynolds boys started playing for their daddy's...oops BYU's team.
Poor utes | 12:06 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Ted and his sad bunch have nothing to say about the lonely utes. Glad to have them read about BYU, a team that's a winner on and off the field. Stay tuned Teddy boy and keep the low-IQ smack coming.
Go Chambers! | 12:24 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
He has soome pretty big...uh, guts to put himself out there like that and state he's going to get a return for a TD. But now that he's committed to the coaches to do that it means he'll be trying to do so even harder. I think it's great, and I hope he gets it!
JR Coug | 1:12 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I'm a little bit nervous about these touchdown predictions made by Chambers. The Philadelphia Eagles used Reno Mahe as a punt returner because he was safe and reliable contrary to his breakaway speed. If he makes these promises he's going to concentrate only on touchdowns and drop the football, and more so if he's not in the rotation. Corral the football and let our offense generate the touchdowns.
JR Coug | 1:23 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I know Chambers hails from Florida and he thinks that he is BYU's man. But he hasn't played in front of 66,000 plus fans. Going from high school to division one, even if it's not the SEC or BIG 12, is a huge step from high school. So many different nuances and pressures that manifest themselves. All I can say for Chambers is.... don't try too hard to get touchdowns. Hold onto the football and slowly let yourself get acclimated to big time football.
Jealousy? | 1:24 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Am I sensing some jealousy from some Utah fans? I've seen a few comments (dreamer, Barf, Jebus) that definitely show some jealousy that BYU can recruit such excellent talent! No one can argue that wins bring good recruits and after the next 2 outstanding seasons that BYU will have, the good recruits will continue coming to cougartown!
Keep Dreaming | 1:26 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
"Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not?"

Pessimists never understand why optimists always seem so much happier and content.

O'Neill Chambers is an optimist. We need more optimists in the world.
Concast-hater | 1:34 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Chambers should not be aloud to speak with the press if he can't talk humble. Let your success do the talking. No predictions please. I hope he does well, but how can a freshman predict how good they will be when he has never played a college game? Austin needs to mentor him better.

As for the relationships on the team, it bugs me that too many players are related to one another. I bet there are at least 15 seperate relationships between coaches and players in one form or another. The Reynolds, Sorensons, Hall and Pita, & Latu and Alisa come to mind. Go Cougars.
Zobbie 56 | 1:49 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
RE: Coats vs. Chambers

I'm pretty sure Coats was heavier than Chambers coming out of high school. He did play wide receiver for the Northridge Knights though. I think Chambers speed is what will keep him as a wideout. I'm not knocking Coats. He did a lot of great things for BYU. I just think he has a bigger body than Chambers.
RJ | 1:50 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
I've had a recurring dream in which I suit up as a star tailback for USC. I think my dream will come true. I'm in my 50's, but I still have some pop.
Anonymous | 2:12 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Don't give in and call it FCS. Stick to calling it 1-AA.
Merlin dreaming | 2:43 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
No doubt the cougs will get that special treatment because they know how to "do what's right on and off the field." I think the magic Collie had was from Merlin the Magician. Two TD's in the last few seconds is not talent just plain luck. Beating UCLA was skill. What was it 44-6, and what was the UCLA BYU scores?
Dream On! | 2:45 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
The title of this article was so cheesy I didn't even read it -Ute Nation
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