Brian MacKenzie right before Staley, and Ronney Jenkins right before him, and Jamal Willis right before him. The 90s Cougars were not the 70s and 80s Cougars.

The "bad" teams of 1999 and 2000(which I had season tickets to and was a student) 1999 won the MWC and at one point pretty deep in the season were ranked #12. 2000 was a tough schedule obviously and finished .500.

the "8 man boxes" that was hilarious
1999 avg 297 pass ypg, 92 rush ypg
2000 avg 274 pass ypg(by committee), 100 rush ypg
They weren't facing 8 man boxes, this was still BYU.

players? we're talking the the all time leading wr Margin Hooks, and his cohort Jonathan Pttman.
Kalani Sitake at fullback as a lead blocker
nfl te Tevita Ofahengaue
Feterik not great but still threw for more than 3500 yds 25 tds and 15 int.

You have a lot of excuses for a "once in a generation" rb never going over 500 yards in his first 2 seasons. A once in a generation talent doesn't need your excuses, they have proven results, they would eclipse 500 yards rushing by at least his 2nd year as the starter. His yards per carry was only 3.7. Honestly, in 2001 he was unbelievable but he wasn't a between the tackles kind of runner. Staley had little results the previous 2 years running between the tackles. True frosh JSwag had 730 running and 1090 yards from scrimmage(1230 rushing as a Soph) against true 8 man boxes because with broke back Riley was qb.