BYU WR Cody Hoffman has a November to Remember

It is just December 4, and I am already tired of the Lexus “December to Remember” commercials. One thing I never get tired of watching are Cody Hoffman highlights. The last two years, this Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver has had his own December to remember events. This year, he bumped it up a month and had an unforgettable November.

BYU played Idaho in the first of three November games this year. Against the Vandals, Hoffman kick started the Cougars on slot of points with a 6-yard touchdown catch on BYU’s first drive of the game. It was his first reception of the game. His sixth and eighth receptions were also touchdowns. Those back-to-back touchdowns gave BYU a 42-7 lead with 6:59 to play in the second quarter.

Hoffman capped off the night with a tough 17-yard reception on 3rd and 15. On that final catch, Hoffman had to hurdle two defenders, break a tackle, and drag another defender to get the yardage necessary for a first down. It was his fourth first down grab to go along with the three touchdowns.

Stat line vs. Idaho: 9 receptions, 108 yards, 3 TD

The next game was a homecoming for Hoffman. Going to San Jose was as close as the Cougars would get to the northern California native’s hometown of Crescent City. Much like his 2011 “homecoming” game at Oregon State, where he had career high marks for receptions and receiving yards, Hoffman would standout from the rest of the Cougars.

Hoffman’s first reception on BYU’s opening drive went for 26 yards on 3rd and 4. He dragged multiple Spartan defenders for much of the play. It was the first of seven Hoffman receptions that resulted in a first down. 

In the fourth quarter when BYU needed to stage a comeback, Hoffman made that possible. Just in that final quarter, Hoffman caught seven passes for 86 yards. He also recovered an onside kick with 2:36 to play. Although BYU lost the game, Hoffman had a career-high 13 receptions (tied for 4th all-time at BYU), and the second most receiving yards in his career.

Stat line vs. San Jose State: 13 receptions, 155 yards, 1 onside kick recovery

The third and final game during the month of November, was on the road against New Mexico State. With James Lark making his first start at quarterback, Hoffman showed once again that he is a quarterback’s best friend. Hoffman caught 10 passes that resulted in a first down or touchdown (83% of his receptions that day).

In just the second half alone, Hoffman tallied 6 receptions for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns. On his 31-yard touchdown in the third quarter, Hoffman hurdled a defender, again, and tip-toed down the sideline. His final reception of the game was a 64-yard touchdown grab. Not only was it the longest reception of his career, it was the longest catch by any BYU receiver since 2009.

Hoffman set a school record for most touchdown receptions in a game (5), which also tied the school record for most touchdowns scored in a game. He set a new career mark for most receiving yards in a game. It was the most receiving yards by any BYU player since the 2008 season opener. He posted his seventh 100-yard receiving game of the season which ties him with Margin Hooks for the second most in BYU history. He went over 1,000 yards for the season, ending a four year drought for BYU. He also finished tied for the seventh most receptions in a game in school history.

Stat line vs. New Mexico State: 12 receptions, 182 yards, 5 TD

November Totals: 34 receptions, 445 yards, 8 TD

Per game average: 11.3 receptions, 148.3 yards, 2.67 TD

If looking at those three game totals doesn’t immediately blow you away, consider the following:

The 34 receptions is as many as Skyler Ridley, Devin Mahina, Richard Wilson, and Paul Lasike have combined this season. His month of November would be second on the team to his September-October self.

The 445 receiving yards would also be second highest on the team by over 100 yards. Kaneakua Friel and Ross Apo are the only other players with over 300 yards receiving. Going back to the beginning of this century, the receiving yards Hoffman accumulated during this November would have made him the fourth leading receiver, or better, every year except 2007 when he would have been fifth--just four yards behind Michael Reed's 449 yards.

In one month, Hoffman was virtually as productive as Ross Apo was for all of 2011 (34 rec. 453 yards, 9 TD). Hoffman was just eight receptions and 82 yards shy of his team leading totals during the entire 2010 season. He had one more touchdown catch in November than all of 2010.

On a national level, Hoffman’s November total would be tied with Georgia WR Tavarres King for 36th most receiving touchdowns this season.

School records, career bests, highlight reel material, and back-to-back-to-back 100-yard receiving games made this a November to remember for Cody Hoffman. It makes you wonder what he has in store for December. 

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com