BYU at Virginia - Game 1
The BYU Cougars kick off their 2013 season on the road against the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 31. The game will be broadcast live from Scott Stadium on ESPNU and the Cougar IMG Sports Network 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and BYUcougars.com.
The Countdown to Kickoff pregame show will begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT on BYUtv and BYUtvsports.com. Fans can also tune in to BYUtv and BYUtvsports.com for the live postgame show at the conclusion of the game. Radio coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT on the Cougar IMG Sports Network 1160 AM/102.7 FM and BYU Radio (SiriusXM channel 143).
BYU (0-0) at Virginia (0-0)
Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 3:30 EDT
Scott Stadium
Charlottesville, Va.
SERIES INFORMATION
This marks the fourth meeting between BYU and Virginia. BYU won the last matchup, 38-35 on Sep. 2, 2000 in Virginia under coach LaVell Edwards, but trails the series, 2-1.
HOME OPENERS
BYU has won six consecutive season openers. Those victories have come against Washington State (2012), Ole Miss (2011), Washington (2010), Oklahoma (2009), Northern Iowa (2008) and Arizona (2007). All but one of those season-opening wins has been over a BCS conference program.
ACC HISTORY
The Cougars are 7-12 against ACC foes, with the last victory coming against Georgia Tech on the road in 2012. BYU defeated the Yellow Jackets 41-17 in October.
ONE OF EVERYTHING, AGAIN
After being the only Division I player to record a statistic in each of the major defensive categories in 2011, senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy repeated the same feat in 2012. The 6-foot-3, 245 pounder needed only a fumble recovery to duplicate his 2011 feat, which he did in the Poinsettia Bowl, stripping the San Diego State quarterback in the end zone and recovering that same fumble for a touchdown. The 2013 All-America candidate--who is also on the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Lott Impact Tropy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award watch lists--was No. 3 in the nation in sacks (13) and No. 4 in tackles for loss (22). Van Noy led the No. 3 defensive unit in four categories, including tackles for loss (22), sacks (13), quarterback hurries (8) and forced fumbles (6)--a school record.
PRESEASON ATTENTION
Eleven Cougars were named to preseason watch lists, highlighted by Preseason All-Americans Kyle Van Noy and Cody Hoffman. The 11 players were named to 14 different major award watch lists.
CAPABLE OFFENSE
BYU has not been shut out for 113 consecutive games. The last time the Cougars failed to score was in 2003 in a 3-0 loss to Utah. That loss was the only other time BYU has not produced points since 1975. The Cougars have scored in the last 475 of 476 games since 1975.
THE HOFF SHOW
Cody Hoffman has an opportunity to end his Cougar career as one of the best receivers in BYU history. He enters 2013 needing just 19 receptions, 538 yards and three touchdowns to take the top spot among the all-time leaders. As of now, Hoffman has amassed 203 receptions, 2,718 yards and 28 receiving touchdowns in his career, good for fourth, fifth and third, respectively, at BYU. Hoffman holds the record for receiving touchdowns in a game (5) and needs four 100-yard receiving games to have the most in program history.
NO. 3 TOTAL DEFENSE
BYU finished the 2012 season ranked No. 3 in total defense. The unit returns five starters to a defense that arguably was the best in team history. BYU finished the season No. 3 in the nation in total defense, ranking behind only Alabama and Florida State. The Cougars held opponents to an average of 266.1 yards per game, the lowest since 1974 when the Cougars held offenses to an average of 261 yards. The powerhouse held seven top-10 defensive rankings, including six top-5 rankings highlighted by the No. 1-ranked 3rd down defense and the No. 2 red zone defense.
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