Related Links

• Iliana Limón's Wolf Tracks

More LoboZone

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Michael Garcia: Here's to you, athletes, coaches and friends. These memories - and lessons - will last forever.
• Tribune sports: Five faves

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

BYU quarterback Max Hall doesn't fight the pressure.

He embraces both the joy and the pain of being the Cougars starting quarterback.

"It's a tough job because the coaches, the fans and the community all have these great expectations," Hall said. "I know it's a big deal to take over this job, but I also really see it as a blessing. I never thought I'd be in this position. It's been a wonderful experience."

Hall, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore, is the latest player to pilot BYU's offense. He will lead the Cougars against the University of New Mexico on Saturday night in Albuquerque.

It's a job Hall passed up in high school.

He was recruited by BYU during his senior year in Mesa, Ariz., but opted to sign with Arizona State.

"I just felt like it was a more competitive program at the time, close to home and the right place for me," Hall said.

Then he left for his Mormon mission and his life changed.

"When I got back, I realized I wasn't really happy at Arizona State," he said. "I asked for my release, visited BYU again and met Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall. I saw the special things he had in mind for the program and knew BYU would be the right place for me."

The next year of Hall's life was brutal.

He had to push himself to get back into shape for football.

"It's always hard when you get back from a mission because you have to get yourself back focused on football physically and emotionally," he said. "Some guys feel a higher calling and completely lose their passion for the game. I love football so much, that wasn't really a problem for me. I wanted to get right back into the sport, but I had a lot of work to get back into physical shape so my body could match that passion."

Hall said he was fortunate to have a great teacher along the way. He shadowed then-senior quarterback John Beck, who was leading the resurgent Cougars to a conference championship last season.

"I watched how he studied film, carried himself on the field and really was this confident leader for our team," Hall said. "He taught me so many things I can't even really explain, but I feel like he prepared me well for this job. I hope to honor what he and all the other great BYU quarterbacks have done over the years."

Hall is off to a solid start piloting the Cougars' spread offense, posting the kind of numbers that should carry BYU to far more wins than losses this season. He is 113-of-181 passing for 1,509 yards and 10 touchdowns in four games. His biggest problem is the four interceptions he has tossed this season.

"I think our offense is running pretty well and getting better every week, but that's not just me," Hall said. "We have a great offensive line, great wide receivers, great running backs and great coaches. They make my job a lot easier."

UNM football coach Rocky Long has had high praise for Hall. Long called Hall a strong quarterback who is improving every game.

"He's a lot like John Beck when he was a sophomore," Long said.

Hall was equally complimentary, adding he is wary of facing the Lobos and Long's defense.

"They work really hard and get after it on defense," he said. "We know we will be challenged tremendously. We've had a lot of turnovers this year that were due to our own mental mistakes. We have to eliminate those errors or we're going to be in trouble against New Mexico."