Earlier in the season I wrote how disappointed many of us fans were with the BYU Football team's fall from grace in October of this year, 2014. We had high expectations even though in a few early season wins I saw some defensive chinks in the armor that meant that even had QB Taysom Hill stayed healthy all year, they might not have been ready for 12-0. A season ending injury and a loss that turned into four (0 for October, 0-4!) made us pout. But at this juncture in early December, BYU did no more losing after that "O"wful month, and the Cougar grid ironers await their bowl opponent from the recently formed American Athletic Conference. Their final match could be the second team they lost to in that miserable month, the University of Central Florida. That was in over time, after BYU had a two touch down lead in the 3rd quarter! Or it could be a rematch with Houston. They proved last year and this one that they can score on BYU. Or it could be Memphis, Cinncinnati or East Carolina. Whomever they wind up playing, it will continue to be BYU's march into history. And hopefully successful.
I will show how the last two seasons of BYU's successes and failures will continue to put the unique program of Provo, Utah, among college football's winners, chugging towards "Notre Dame good". That is the goal, really. Just be a Mormon Notre Dame, and us Brigham Young fans go home happy. We are almost there. (Maybe another 10 years will make it more likely.)
2014 Schedule 2013 Schedule
Sept.20: Virginia Cavaliers W: 41-33 Sept.27: MTSU Raiders W:37-10
Oct.3: Utah St. Aggies L: 20-35 Oct.4: @ Utah St. Aggies W:31-14
Oct.9: @ UC Florida Knights L: 24-31 OT Oct.12: Georgia Tech Jackets W:38-20
Oct.18: Nevada Wolfpack L: 35-42 Oct.19: @ Houston Cougars W:47-46
Oct.24: @ Boise St. Broncos L:30-55 Oct.25: Boise St. Broncos W:37-20
Nov.1: @ MTenn.St Raiders W: 27-7 Nov.9: @ Wisconsin Badgers L:17-27
Nov.15: UNLV Rebels W:42-23 Nov.16: Idaho St. Vandals W:59-13
Nov.23: Savannah St. Tigers W: 64-0 Nov.23: @ Notre Dame Irish L:13-23
Nov.29: at California Bears W:42-35 No.30: @ Nevada Wolf Pack W: 28-23
Miami Beach Bowl, Miami FL '14 Fight Hunger Bowl, San Francisco, CA '13Dec.22: at Miami---? ?????? Dec.27: Washington Huskies L:16-31
Both of the last years BYU managed to win 8, and possibly 9 games this season, its bowl withstanding. Not great but not bad. About as good as Notre Dame has been doing lately, although in 2012 the Irish had a magical regular season, including a serendipitous victory over BYU.
The following 17 points will show how BYU has either A) Moved up (+1) in college respectability or B) Digressed/moved back (-1) in achieving elite status or C) (+/0.5) will go to neutral wins.
1) The Connecticut Huskies had never played BYU before this fall; now they trail 1-0.They are relatively new in the FBS (D-1) game; a member of a mid-level conference, the American Athletic Conference. They also had a bad season overall this year, maybe worse than the year before (2013). No worries about them upstaging BYU and its march to national recognition and glory. This was a chance for an easier East Coast win than years previous (like at Boston College in 2005, or last year's debacle in Charlottesville), for some northeast fans to see the Cougs warm up for their first game of what was such a hopeful campaign. This was a neutral win, nothing great gained, but nothing lost. Except an injury or two? And a bone to a few of us on this side of the country. +0.5
2) Ahh, Texas. We have hooked the 'Horns the last two years, and I believe other than having winning seasons overall in 2013 and 2014 and keeping up the bowls since Bronco took the reigns in 2005, despite some disappointing losses to teams we could of or should have beat, nailing this historic program has been fantastic. BYU now has them pinned 4-1 in the all time series, dating back to 1987. Nice! Moving up! +1/+1
3) The Cougars of Houston. Lucky to win there in 2013; the chinks in the BYU defense evident this year, even though winning at home. Overall, this is a positive win, but only slightly. These two programs have only played these two, so BYU owns them 2-0. They may have a rematch with them right before Xmas; I hope that they don't. This was slightly good, but it could have been more convincing both times. And they are not considered a major program. Neutral good. On a side note, BYU's only other opponent in their history starting with an "H" is Hawai'i, which apparently reneged this fall, pulling in the lowly Tigers to be named later.... +1/+1
4) Virginia Cavaliers. I saw the craziness in Charlottesville a year ago (2013). Dumb mistakes, a lot of rain, some lightning and a two plus hour delay. BYU gave the game away with silliness and the newness, and the fates of the elements. At least we got back at this improved 2014 Cavalier team this year, in Lavell Edwards Stadium. But the defense showed its proclivity to chinks and injuries, like Houston the week before. Good win, move ahead win over an Atlantic Coast Conference team, the so called Power Conference team, who beat respectable teams like Louisville this year. Plus BYU has gone 2-3 against UVA now, also dating back to 1987. More work necessary. Larry King's son-in-law had an incredible comeback against the Wahoos back in 2000, back when UVA was a bigger upgrade series for the Y. Good step this year towards higher status, despite the flub up over a year ago. +1/-1
5) The Utah State Aggies ruined the Y's dream season in a few ways, mostly by breaking Taysom Hill's leg, but they were aggressive and scoring before that happened. Some dumb mistakes (Jordan Johnson on a FG attempt) and the roughed up D for BYU put Taysom in that position of more pressure; consequently all-everything QB Taysom bit off too much on the very run he went down for the season on. Bad loss to an instate rival; first in Provo since 1978, and to non-power team. Overall history still favors BYU, 45-36. Move back. But a necessary team to play. -1/+1
6) The University of Central Florida gave Christian Stewart his first full loss as a starter in over time, and the dream season continued to crumble. A non-power conference loss; it would have marked BYU's first win ever in the state of Florida in about 6 tries going back to the 1980s. Now they can rectify that fact this holiday season this month...Against an opponent from the aforementioned AAC. Another move back. But the series now stands at 1-1, started in 2011, and must be improved upon for BYU to be a serious program such as Notre Dame. UCF is not Miami, Florida or Florida State---those squads are to be beaten on occasion but USF and UCF, and lesser teams like FIU and FAU have to be handled more easily. -1
7) The Wolfpack handed it to the Cougars after being down two touch downs in the 3rd quarter. Ouch! I fell asleep during a late game on the tube and the lead had changed for the worse when I awoke. I blogged about it. The BYU defense was not as strong this year as previous times with high 2013 and 2014 NFL draft picks Ezekiel Ansah and Kyle Van Noy. Plus some serious injuries plagued the defense, as mentioned. Since winning a close one in Reno the season before ('13), the Cougars lead the overall series 5-3, which began way back in 1929. That series count has to improve. BYU will continue to play Mountain West teams, regardless of future conference affiliation. I still remember tracking a shocking loss to Nevada-Reno in 2002, the beginning of the end of the Crowton era. Was the receiver Nate Burleson the one who kept killing us? Nevada struck again this fall. At home, a third straight loss and significant move back. This was in the Cougars' hands. -1/+1
8) The nemesis of the BYU Cougars, the Boise State Broncos. The Smurf Turf! And the Broncos busted the Cougs the worst all season. Not only was it the fourth loss in a row but it was by the most. Not much of a chance in this game, unlike the previous three. As a Mountain West opponent and new constant rival, this was a bad one. But...BYU finally beat them in 2013, and after a close and frustrating loss (7-6, yes, that low scoring) in 2012, which also led to a season ending Taysom Hill injury, BYU's overall record with this risen small school power is now 1-4. But things seem to be changing...we hope. Move back, but the most respectable loss. BSU is now in the top 15-20 nationally. -1/+1
9) Middle Tennessee State Raiders. Finally, the losing streak ended (but by then it was November). And a respectably scoring small school was stopped by some Cougar defense, revived as if from yesteryear. Huge victory from a tactical and morale standpoint. There were as many Cougar fans in Franklin, or wherever they play, than Raider fans. That is always good. And single digit scoring? That is almost always good and enough for the win. Move ahead. You have to beat the minor teams, even when they are good in their own small conferences. BYU, like UConn, now has a 2-0 all time record versus these Blue Raiders in the heartland. +0.5/+0.5
10) UNLV Rebels. Gotta beat 'em, run 'em down and out. Check. Neutral progress ahead for BYU, but a necessary win. Overall series lead for the Cougs 17-3. I have personally witnessed 3 of them in Vegas. Good times. 2001 was a nail biter, 2003 went OT. The series began in 1978, maybe about the time they had revolutionary speedster Randall Cunningham. +1
11) Savannah. State. Tigers. WHO? Yes, one of the worst 2014 Football Championship Series teams, formerly D-1AA. There are many of them and very few of them are known to do much against any FBS schools. BYU had played lower tier teams before, but never this bad. First and hopefully only meeting with them ever, at least BYU accomplished a defensive record in yards allowed. And a shut out, and few injuries. Probably prepped them well for the next team... Neutral move ahead, considering circumstances. Former long time coach of the offense at BYU Norm Chow pulled out, leaving this desperate gap in the schedule. Chow should have taken over as Cougar head coach in 2001. Maybe some of us learned our lessons from success and loyalty in what transpired since. Don't get me wrong: Bronco is the right guy now. But Coach Chow deserved to succeed Lavell. We'll never know. +0.5
12) California Bears! Yay! Clutch high scoring win, 42-35, and some payback for Bronco's first bowl loss in 2005 at the Las Vegas Bowl. 3 for 3 against Power Conferences this year, those being the ACC, the Big 12, and the PAC-12. Not bad. A little redemption for poor performances (see numbers 5 through 8 above) against smaller conferences and programs in that woeful October middle of the season. Move ahead. +1
13) University of Utah, last year loss (20-13 in 2013, in September). Painful to lose to the hated rivals that BYU would not see for a few more years. No wins since...2008? Max Hall's senior win tirade? Awww, the memory shouldn't have to work that long to recall a victory against the Utes. This was close enough to be a Cougar win but the Provo boys came out flat. Jamal Williams, BYU's best running back was hurt... Overall series for the Utes, 55-31-4. A long history, but BYU has been gaining since Lavell the legend took the helm in the 1970s. They will renew the rivalry in 2016...And Utah finally had a winning top 25 bowl season this year, while getting whipped in the PAC-12 the previous two seasons. Possibly better not to play them this year. Unnecessary loss last year to a slightly inferior team. Utah has had their number for a few years, even when down. Move back. -1
14) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Big win last year in 2013. The Wreck of Tech are much better this year, but they were still bowl good last year and from the vaunted power conference, the ACC. Overall history is now 3-1 Cougars since 2002. Move ahead. +1
15) Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. Tough loss, move back. Overall series now at 1-1 after a Cougar victory in 1980. A couple of bounces and calls could have changed it in 2013, but this was a team you need to beat to be like... -1
16) Notre Dame. Overall series now at 2-6, beginning in 1992. The late 80s marked when BYU was really trying to turn the corner to be an elite squad and program. We scheduled the Fightin' Irish, and we can only beat them one third of the time. Move back, but 2012 was one dropped pass away from an undefeated regular season for the Irish, plus their best player was a Mormon linebacker from Hawai'i, Manti Teo. He almost committed to the Y, as he was swayed by USC as well. -1
17) Whoops, almost forgot Idaho State Bengals. Easy win, series for Cougs, 5-0 since 1932. They are FCS. Neutral move ahead. +0.5
18) Washington Huskies. Tough bowl loss, overpowered. Offense came up short like Virginia, Wisconsin, Notre Dame. Story of the 2013 season. Underwhelming, but had a few good wins. Move back, but an accomplishment just to be in a bowl for the 9th year in a row. Way to go, Bronco Mendenhall! We love you. We will get them next time, overall series stands at 4-5, since 1985. Almost good enough to be a big program beater, as the Huskies, to me and Kent Preston and a few others, is one of the most consistently good programs in the PAC-12, a top conference the last few years and traditionally, arguably as good as the SEC. -0.5
So in review, these last two years, without the last bowl in some two odd weeks... BYU has 13 plusses, 8.5 negatives. If BYU can beat that AAC team on December 22 of this year in Miami, be it rematches with UCF or Houston, a prelude to later games with the UC Bearcats, or East Carolina or Memphis, then Brigham Young University should be a solid 14 plusses to minus 8.5, a five and a half excellence differential, which in the way of Notre Dame-like status will put the the Cougars in better standing for the future as a national college football elite, making us all sleep better at night and on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Not so fast Ute fans... Or Trojans! See you opponents soon enough, and the West Virginia Mountaineers among others, in the years to come. (Shout out to Showalter, that crazy bleeping Mountaineer booster). BSU Broncos? You have been warned.
Blog it, EMC.
I will show how the last two seasons of BYU's successes and failures will continue to put the unique program of Provo, Utah, among college football's winners, chugging towards "Notre Dame good". That is the goal, really. Just be a Mormon Notre Dame, and us Brigham Young fans go home happy. We are almost there. (Maybe another 10 years will make it more likely.)
2014 Schedule 2013 Schedule
Aug.29: @ UConn Huskies: W: 35-10 Aug.31: @ Virginia Cavaliers L:16-19
Sept.6: @ Texas Longhorns: W: 42-7 Sept.7: Texas Longhorns W:40-21
Sept.11: Houston Cougars W: 33-25 Sept.21: Utah Utes L:13-20Sept.20: Virginia Cavaliers W: 41-33 Sept.27: MTSU Raiders W:37-10
Oct.3: Utah St. Aggies L: 20-35 Oct.4: @ Utah St. Aggies W:31-14
Oct.9: @ UC Florida Knights L: 24-31 OT Oct.12: Georgia Tech Jackets W:38-20
Oct.18: Nevada Wolfpack L: 35-42 Oct.19: @ Houston Cougars W:47-46
Oct.24: @ Boise St. Broncos L:30-55 Oct.25: Boise St. Broncos W:37-20
Nov.1: @ MTenn.St Raiders W: 27-7 Nov.9: @ Wisconsin Badgers L:17-27
Nov.15: UNLV Rebels W:42-23 Nov.16: Idaho St. Vandals W:59-13
Nov.23: Savannah St. Tigers W: 64-0 Nov.23: @ Notre Dame Irish L:13-23
Nov.29: at California Bears W:42-35 No.30: @ Nevada Wolf Pack W: 28-23
Miami Beach Bowl, Miami FL '14 Fight Hunger Bowl, San Francisco, CA '13Dec.22: at Miami---? ?????? Dec.27: Washington Huskies L:16-31
Both of the last years BYU managed to win 8, and possibly 9 games this season, its bowl withstanding. Not great but not bad. About as good as Notre Dame has been doing lately, although in 2012 the Irish had a magical regular season, including a serendipitous victory over BYU.
The following 17 points will show how BYU has either A) Moved up (+1) in college respectability or B) Digressed/moved back (-1) in achieving elite status or C) (+/0.5) will go to neutral wins.
1) The Connecticut Huskies had never played BYU before this fall; now they trail 1-0.They are relatively new in the FBS (D-1) game; a member of a mid-level conference, the American Athletic Conference. They also had a bad season overall this year, maybe worse than the year before (2013). No worries about them upstaging BYU and its march to national recognition and glory. This was a chance for an easier East Coast win than years previous (like at Boston College in 2005, or last year's debacle in Charlottesville), for some northeast fans to see the Cougs warm up for their first game of what was such a hopeful campaign. This was a neutral win, nothing great gained, but nothing lost. Except an injury or two? And a bone to a few of us on this side of the country. +0.5
2) Ahh, Texas. We have hooked the 'Horns the last two years, and I believe other than having winning seasons overall in 2013 and 2014 and keeping up the bowls since Bronco took the reigns in 2005, despite some disappointing losses to teams we could of or should have beat, nailing this historic program has been fantastic. BYU now has them pinned 4-1 in the all time series, dating back to 1987. Nice! Moving up! +1/+1
3) The Cougars of Houston. Lucky to win there in 2013; the chinks in the BYU defense evident this year, even though winning at home. Overall, this is a positive win, but only slightly. These two programs have only played these two, so BYU owns them 2-0. They may have a rematch with them right before Xmas; I hope that they don't. This was slightly good, but it could have been more convincing both times. And they are not considered a major program. Neutral good. On a side note, BYU's only other opponent in their history starting with an "H" is Hawai'i, which apparently reneged this fall, pulling in the lowly Tigers to be named later.... +1/+1
4) Virginia Cavaliers. I saw the craziness in Charlottesville a year ago (2013). Dumb mistakes, a lot of rain, some lightning and a two plus hour delay. BYU gave the game away with silliness and the newness, and the fates of the elements. At least we got back at this improved 2014 Cavalier team this year, in Lavell Edwards Stadium. But the defense showed its proclivity to chinks and injuries, like Houston the week before. Good win, move ahead win over an Atlantic Coast Conference team, the so called Power Conference team, who beat respectable teams like Louisville this year. Plus BYU has gone 2-3 against UVA now, also dating back to 1987. More work necessary. Larry King's son-in-law had an incredible comeback against the Wahoos back in 2000, back when UVA was a bigger upgrade series for the Y. Good step this year towards higher status, despite the flub up over a year ago. +1/-1
5) The Utah State Aggies ruined the Y's dream season in a few ways, mostly by breaking Taysom Hill's leg, but they were aggressive and scoring before that happened. Some dumb mistakes (Jordan Johnson on a FG attempt) and the roughed up D for BYU put Taysom in that position of more pressure; consequently all-everything QB Taysom bit off too much on the very run he went down for the season on. Bad loss to an instate rival; first in Provo since 1978, and to non-power team. Overall history still favors BYU, 45-36. Move back. But a necessary team to play. -1/+1
6) The University of Central Florida gave Christian Stewart his first full loss as a starter in over time, and the dream season continued to crumble. A non-power conference loss; it would have marked BYU's first win ever in the state of Florida in about 6 tries going back to the 1980s. Now they can rectify that fact this holiday season this month...Against an opponent from the aforementioned AAC. Another move back. But the series now stands at 1-1, started in 2011, and must be improved upon for BYU to be a serious program such as Notre Dame. UCF is not Miami, Florida or Florida State---those squads are to be beaten on occasion but USF and UCF, and lesser teams like FIU and FAU have to be handled more easily. -1
7) The Wolfpack handed it to the Cougars after being down two touch downs in the 3rd quarter. Ouch! I fell asleep during a late game on the tube and the lead had changed for the worse when I awoke. I blogged about it. The BYU defense was not as strong this year as previous times with high 2013 and 2014 NFL draft picks Ezekiel Ansah and Kyle Van Noy. Plus some serious injuries plagued the defense, as mentioned. Since winning a close one in Reno the season before ('13), the Cougars lead the overall series 5-3, which began way back in 1929. That series count has to improve. BYU will continue to play Mountain West teams, regardless of future conference affiliation. I still remember tracking a shocking loss to Nevada-Reno in 2002, the beginning of the end of the Crowton era. Was the receiver Nate Burleson the one who kept killing us? Nevada struck again this fall. At home, a third straight loss and significant move back. This was in the Cougars' hands. -1/+1
8) The nemesis of the BYU Cougars, the Boise State Broncos. The Smurf Turf! And the Broncos busted the Cougs the worst all season. Not only was it the fourth loss in a row but it was by the most. Not much of a chance in this game, unlike the previous three. As a Mountain West opponent and new constant rival, this was a bad one. But...BYU finally beat them in 2013, and after a close and frustrating loss (7-6, yes, that low scoring) in 2012, which also led to a season ending Taysom Hill injury, BYU's overall record with this risen small school power is now 1-4. But things seem to be changing...we hope. Move back, but the most respectable loss. BSU is now in the top 15-20 nationally. -1/+1
9) Middle Tennessee State Raiders. Finally, the losing streak ended (but by then it was November). And a respectably scoring small school was stopped by some Cougar defense, revived as if from yesteryear. Huge victory from a tactical and morale standpoint. There were as many Cougar fans in Franklin, or wherever they play, than Raider fans. That is always good. And single digit scoring? That is almost always good and enough for the win. Move ahead. You have to beat the minor teams, even when they are good in their own small conferences. BYU, like UConn, now has a 2-0 all time record versus these Blue Raiders in the heartland. +0.5/+0.5
10) UNLV Rebels. Gotta beat 'em, run 'em down and out. Check. Neutral progress ahead for BYU, but a necessary win. Overall series lead for the Cougs 17-3. I have personally witnessed 3 of them in Vegas. Good times. 2001 was a nail biter, 2003 went OT. The series began in 1978, maybe about the time they had revolutionary speedster Randall Cunningham. +1
11) Savannah. State. Tigers. WHO? Yes, one of the worst 2014 Football Championship Series teams, formerly D-1AA. There are many of them and very few of them are known to do much against any FBS schools. BYU had played lower tier teams before, but never this bad. First and hopefully only meeting with them ever, at least BYU accomplished a defensive record in yards allowed. And a shut out, and few injuries. Probably prepped them well for the next team... Neutral move ahead, considering circumstances. Former long time coach of the offense at BYU Norm Chow pulled out, leaving this desperate gap in the schedule. Chow should have taken over as Cougar head coach in 2001. Maybe some of us learned our lessons from success and loyalty in what transpired since. Don't get me wrong: Bronco is the right guy now. But Coach Chow deserved to succeed Lavell. We'll never know. +0.5
12) California Bears! Yay! Clutch high scoring win, 42-35, and some payback for Bronco's first bowl loss in 2005 at the Las Vegas Bowl. 3 for 3 against Power Conferences this year, those being the ACC, the Big 12, and the PAC-12. Not bad. A little redemption for poor performances (see numbers 5 through 8 above) against smaller conferences and programs in that woeful October middle of the season. Move ahead. +1
13) University of Utah, last year loss (20-13 in 2013, in September). Painful to lose to the hated rivals that BYU would not see for a few more years. No wins since...2008? Max Hall's senior win tirade? Awww, the memory shouldn't have to work that long to recall a victory against the Utes. This was close enough to be a Cougar win but the Provo boys came out flat. Jamal Williams, BYU's best running back was hurt... Overall series for the Utes, 55-31-4. A long history, but BYU has been gaining since Lavell the legend took the helm in the 1970s. They will renew the rivalry in 2016...And Utah finally had a winning top 25 bowl season this year, while getting whipped in the PAC-12 the previous two seasons. Possibly better not to play them this year. Unnecessary loss last year to a slightly inferior team. Utah has had their number for a few years, even when down. Move back. -1
14) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Big win last year in 2013. The Wreck of Tech are much better this year, but they were still bowl good last year and from the vaunted power conference, the ACC. Overall history is now 3-1 Cougars since 2002. Move ahead. +1
15) Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. Tough loss, move back. Overall series now at 1-1 after a Cougar victory in 1980. A couple of bounces and calls could have changed it in 2013, but this was a team you need to beat to be like... -1
16) Notre Dame. Overall series now at 2-6, beginning in 1992. The late 80s marked when BYU was really trying to turn the corner to be an elite squad and program. We scheduled the Fightin' Irish, and we can only beat them one third of the time. Move back, but 2012 was one dropped pass away from an undefeated regular season for the Irish, plus their best player was a Mormon linebacker from Hawai'i, Manti Teo. He almost committed to the Y, as he was swayed by USC as well. -1
17) Whoops, almost forgot Idaho State Bengals. Easy win, series for Cougs, 5-0 since 1932. They are FCS. Neutral move ahead. +0.5
18) Washington Huskies. Tough bowl loss, overpowered. Offense came up short like Virginia, Wisconsin, Notre Dame. Story of the 2013 season. Underwhelming, but had a few good wins. Move back, but an accomplishment just to be in a bowl for the 9th year in a row. Way to go, Bronco Mendenhall! We love you. We will get them next time, overall series stands at 4-5, since 1985. Almost good enough to be a big program beater, as the Huskies, to me and Kent Preston and a few others, is one of the most consistently good programs in the PAC-12, a top conference the last few years and traditionally, arguably as good as the SEC. -0.5
So in review, these last two years, without the last bowl in some two odd weeks... BYU has 13 plusses, 8.5 negatives. If BYU can beat that AAC team on December 22 of this year in Miami, be it rematches with UCF or Houston, a prelude to later games with the UC Bearcats, or East Carolina or Memphis, then Brigham Young University should be a solid 14 plusses to minus 8.5, a five and a half excellence differential, which in the way of Notre Dame-like status will put the the Cougars in better standing for the future as a national college football elite, making us all sleep better at night and on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Not so fast Ute fans... Or Trojans! See you opponents soon enough, and the West Virginia Mountaineers among others, in the years to come. (Shout out to Showalter, that crazy bleeping Mountaineer booster). BSU Broncos? You have been warned.
Blog it, EMC.
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