The Cougars have won four MWC championships since the league began in 1999 (Co-Champions with CSU and Utah in 1999, and sole Champions in 2001, 2006 and 2007), and 23 conference titles overall.

David Nixon and Jan Jorgensen for the defense and Max Hall and Travis Bright for the offense were chosen by their teammates as captains for the 2008 season.

[4] In the pre-season, the Cougars were ranked #19[5] and then later #14[6] by ESPN's Mark Schlabach, #12 by Rivals.com David Fox and Steve Megargee,[7] #22 by College Football News,[8] #17 by Stewart Mandel of CNN's SI.com (Sports Illustrated),[9] #12 by Lindy's,[10] #14 by CBS Sportsline,[11] #13 by Tony Barnhart (a.k.a.

On the defensive end, junior college transfer Coleby Clawson made his hard hitting debut, knocking out UNI's quarterback Pat Grace three times.

The play after recovering a BYU fumble, UNI ran a reverse with wide receiver, Victor Williams, making a 76-yard touchdown pass.

After driving the length of the field again, BYU looked to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when Harvey Unga, who rushed for 136 yards in the game, fumbled the ball at the goal line which was recovered by Washington.

So far BYU is 16-18 for scoring in the "Blue Zone" including 15 for touchdowns and its first field goal attempt for the season in the UCLA game.

[30] BYU allowed Wyoming's offense to move early, but on the Cowboys' first drive the Cougar defense picked up a dropped lateral pass, returning it for six points.

[32] BYU entertained a 3-3 New Mexico squad at the midway point of the season as chilly October afternoon air settled in Provo.

[33] New Mexico opened the scoring with a short field goal early in the second quarter after the teams traded four punts.

Kicker Justin Sorensen missed a 50-yard field goal before halftime, but Max Hall and George linked up for another score again in the third quarter to extend the lead to 14-3.

The Lobos looked to score with 7:14 left in the game to trim the lead, but an illegal block wiped out the touchdown and the drive stalled.

[46] The 14 returning starters from last season are Max Hall (quarterback), Harvey Unga (tail back), Austin Collie and Michael Reed (wide receivers), Dennis Pitta (tight end), Travis Bright and Ray Feinga (offensive guards), Dallas Reynolds and David Oswald (offensive tackles), Jan Jorgensen and Ian Dulan (defensive ends), Russell Tialavea (nose tackle), David Nixon (linebacker), and Kellen Fowler (free safety).

Experienced lettermen starting this year include: Fui Vakapuna (fullback), Matt Bauman, Shawn Doman, and Coleby Clawson (linebackers), Brandon Howard (field corner), and David Tafuna (strong safety).

[1] Archived 2008-08-07 at the Wayback Machine As of November 15, 2008 Russell Tialavea (nose tackle) and David Tafuna (strong safety) are recovered from their injuries suffered during the 2007 preseason.

[47] Terrance Hooks, a reserve inside linebacker, tore his patella tendon during Spring practice and underwent surgery the following day.

[49] Just prior to Fall Camp Grant Nelson, a backup for outside linebacker behind Vic So'oto, had two surgeries related to kidney problems and will miss the 2008 season.

Austin Collie, starting wide receiver, had limited participation in Fall Camp while recovering from a stress facture in his lower leg.

Matt Bauman, starting inside linebacker, missed the beginning of camp while he recovered from a foot injury suffered in a scooter accident.

In the third week of camp, Kelly Bills, reserve fullback, quit as a player after suffering his fourth concussion, but was enthused to stay on as a graduate assistant for the team.

Starting fullback, Fui Vakapuna, missed the first game against Northern Iowa due to an academic issue which he resolved that week.

Because of this religious and cultural affiliation, many of the team members have served a two-year proselyting mission (often in a foreign country, speaking the native language), are married, and sometimes have children.

[50] Wide receivers Fullbacks Offensive linemen Punters/kickers Tight ends Quarterbacks Tailbacks Defensive line (†)† (Returning) starter at position * Injured ** Suspended *** Transferred Linebackers Cornerbacks Safeties Defensive backs Recruits joining the team this year include O'Neill Chambers and Justin Sorensen.

Senior offensive linemen, Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds, were named to the 2008 Outland Trophy watch list.

Jan Jorgensen was named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

[53] Jan Jorgensen is also a candidate for the Ted Hendricks Award presented to the premier defensive end in college football.

Junior quarterback, Max Hall, was named on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the year's best college football player.

Dennis Pitta is one of thirty tight ends named to the John Mackey Award preseason watch list.

Sophomore Harvey Unga is one of 42 of the nation's top college running backs named as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award.

Candidates for the All-America team are Ray Feinga, Dallas Reynolds, Jan Jorgensen, Max Hall, Harvey Unga, Dennis Pitta and Austin Collie.