Norma Gonzalez
- Communications Specialist, Tucson Unified School District (TUSD1.org)
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Ex-journo trying to learn how to work a normal office job | DM freelance inquiries | Tejana | RGV raised | Twin who sucks at twin things 👯♀️
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Articles by Norma Gonzalez
Man fatally shot outside wedding in Midvale
A wedding in Midvale turned deadly Saturday night when a guest was shot and killed outside the venue, according to a Sunday news release from Unified Police. The wedding was held at The Ganesh Center at 145 E. Ft. Union Blvd. The person who was shot was identified as Midvale resident Oscar Avila, 28. Members of the wedding party as well as law enforcement performed life-saving efforts on Avila, the release states, but he was declared dead by Unified Fire Authority.
Could BYU finish a second consecutive season with a 10-win record?
Saturday's win was never in question. BYU was quick to score and scored often in what turned into a 59-14 win over FCS opponent Idaho State on Saturday in LaVell Edwards Stadium. But now the question is: Can the Cougars finish with a 10-win record and finish ranked in the Top 15 of the AP Poll for a consecutive year? If the Cougars finish the season in the Top 15, it would be the first time since 1983-84 that BYU has finished consecutive seasons in the AP Top 15.
No. 17 BYU makes quick work of Idaho State in 59-14 win
Provo * All it took was one half. No. 17 BYU opened up its last home game of the season having scored on five consecutive drives, and scored on five of six first-half drives en route to a 59-14 win over FCS opponent Idaho State on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. After the Cougars ran on all cylinders and put the game out of reach early, they rested a good amount of starters in the second half.
With the last home game of the season on Saturday, who is BYU football saying goodbye to?
Uriah Leiataua has no regrets about coming back to BYU for another year. Not only did it allow the 2020 spring graduate to close out his collegiate career on his own terms after sitting out last season with a broken leg, but he saw it as another opportunity to continue playing the sport he loves and allowed him to meet some new people. Now, Leiataua will be one of at least three seniors who will be recognized before Saturday's game against Idaho State at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
After scoring 66 against Virginia, will BYU look to keep piling up the points against FCS Idaho State?
After No. 17 BYU put up 66 points and more than 700 offensive yards against Virginia, the Cougars have the chance at another high-octane performance this week. The Cougars will host FCS opponent Idaho State on Saturday, in what is BYU's final home game of the 2021 season. The Bengals - currently No. 11 in the Big Sky standings with a 1-7 record - currently average 15.6 points per game, while giving up 33.8. Will the Cougars light up the scoreboard again on Senior Day?
BYU explodes, outperforms Virginia's offense to earn program's 600th win
BYU may have failed at times on one side of the ball, but the Cougars exceeded all expectations where it counted. The offense went off for a season-high 66 points in a shootout with visiting Virginia in LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, and BYU improved to 7-2 with the program's 600th win. The victory bumped the Cougars up eight spots on the AP Top 25 Poll, to No. 17. "We knew from the beginning they had an explosive offense," BYU quarterback Jaren Hall said.
Shootout in Provo ends in 66-49 BYU win over Virginia
Provo * As Bronco Mendenhall made his way into LaVell Edwards Stadium for the first time since 2015 on Saturday, the former BYU coach was welcomed by fans and stadium staff with cheers and gifts. However, No. 25 BYU wasn't so welcoming on the field. In a game that was dominated by offense and saw frustrating performances from the defenses, it ultimately came down to turnovers.
BYU senior Uriah Leiataua defends D-line's play, despite a drop-off from a season ago
There are players and coaches who block out everything fans say on social media. Not BYU defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua. When the BYU Cougars fell from No. 10 to outside the Associated Press' Top 25 poll after back-to-back defeats, the conversation and criticism centered on the team's defense and defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki. Leiatauahas heard the chatter - and he's heard enough.
Former BYU AD Glen Tuckett passes away at age 93
Glenn Tuckett, the former BYU baseball coach and athletics director who led the Cougars to two College World Series appearances, hired LaVell Edwards and helped lead the expansion of the school's football stadium, passed away early Tuesday morning. He was 93. Tuckett spent 17 years as the Cougars' baseball coach, winning 13 division titles and three conference championships. HIs teams went to the College World Series in Omaha in 1968 and 1971.
Bronco Mendenhall lobbied for BYU to join the Big 12, believing independence was not 'sustainable'
Some of the biggest buzz around Provo this week is the return of Bronco Mendenhall. It is the first time the former BYU coach will be coming back to LaVell Edwards Stadium - a feat he once considered too hard to do. Saturday's game between Virginia and BYU aside, Mendenhall is proud of what the Cougars have been able to accomplish. Specifically, he couldn't be happier that BYU was invited into the Big 12. "I'm thrilled. I think it's awesome," Mendenhall said.
Once dead set against it, Bronco Mendenhall is finally ready to play BYU in Provo
When Bronco Mendenhall left BYU in 2015 - after 11 seasons as head coach - he made it immediately clear that he didn't want to come back. He made that statement during the news conference on the day it was announced he was leaving BYU for the same job at the University of Virginia, knowing then that the Cougars were already on his new school's schedule. "I don't want to play BYU and I don't know how I'd handle it," Mendenhall said.
BYU football back in AP Top 25 after close win over Washington State
It wasn't a perfect game, but BYU got back to doing what it was doing earlier this season - it found a way to win. The BYU Cougars cut it close, but were able to get a road win at Washington State, 21-19. This time around, the game didn't rely on a defensive stop. Instead, it came down to the offense. BYU's final drive started with 4:14 left on the clock; The Cougars didn't need another score to secure the win, they just needed to protect the ball and move the ball enough to run out the clock.
BYU becomes bowl eligible with close win over Washington State
Both BYU and Washington State went into Saturday's game with something to prove, but only one team could walk out victorious. The Cougars from Provo were looking to snap a two-game skid. The Cougars from Pullman, Wash. was looking to win amidst the biggest shakeup the program could have had midway through the season. But a pair of failed 2-point tries hurt Washington State and BYU was able to pull out a 21-19 win.
Although the BYU offense has seen new struggles emerge, OC Aaron Roderick is more than pleased with passing performance
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick wants more out of his players. Specifically, he wants more snaps. At Baylor, BYU only had 55 snaps - 20 fewer than the Bears. So as the Cougars prepare to play Washington State on Saturday, Roderick believes the team can have more success if his players can get back to the 75 snaps per game they have averaged for most of the year. "If we get back up there around 75 snaps, we're going to be somewhere [around] 35-40 points - and that's the goal," Roderick said.
physicality and stopping the run
Since losing their second straight game, BYU coaches have pointed out to areas within the defense that need to vastly improve if the Cougars want to break out of the current skid: physicality and run defense. The Cougars will need to find a way to beat opponents at the blocks and shut down the ground game should they want to get back into the win column this week when BYU travels to Washington State.
The Cougars are beat up, and it shows
BYU coach Kalani Sitake isn't using injuries as an excuse for his team's losses to Boise State and Baylor. "We're midseason, so there's guys that are banged up, guys that are playing through some injury, guys that aren't 100%," Sitake said this week. "That's the game of football. We're depending on depth and talent, but sometimes inexperience shows up a little bit, but it's time to grow up and get better and toughen up.
Washington State's Nick Rolovich fired over failure to adhere to state's vaccine mandate
Two losses aside, on Monday, BYU started prep for Washington State in hopes of being able to get out of the current rut it has found itself in. But that prep may change considering what's going on at Washington State. The Washington State Cougars have fired their head coach Nick Rolovich due to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate placed back in August by the state of Washington. According to The Oregonian newspaper, Rolovich and other unvaccinated assistant coaches were terminated Monday afternoon.
BYU drops out of the Top 25 after loss to Baylor
BYU went from being the unranked team beating ranked opponents to being a ranked team beaten by unranked opponents. And it hasn't been pretty. Unlike the loss two weeks ago, the most recent upset - at Baylor on Saturday - wasn't a direct result of turnovers. But the Cougars still got outplayed and lost the battle at the line of scrimmage in a 38-24 loss to the Bears at McLane Stadium. After dropping nine spots last week, BYU saw itself get kicked out of the AP Top 25 poll on Sunday.
Future Big 12 foe Baylor hands No. 19 BYU second consecutive loss
Waco, Texas * Baylor welcomed No. 19 BYU into McLane Stadium on Saturday with open arms - pulling out all the stops for its soon-to-be Big 12 opponent. But it wasn't as welcoming on the field. The Bears instead handed the Cougars their second straight loss, 38-24. It was the first time since 2019 that BYU has suffered consecutive losses. The Cougars' offensive and defensive lines simply weren't a match for the dominating performance from Baylor, and struggled to keep up.
With BYU set to join the Big 12 within two years, Saturday's game at Baylor serves as preview
BYU is used to drawing national crowds to its football games, but there will be an even deeper look into the Cougars when they play at Baylor on Saturday. While the matchup, which will air on ESPN, was scheduled more than five years ago, the game has added meaning ever since BYU received an invite into the Big 12 on Sept. 10. Suddenly, Saturday's game is now a preview of what it will be like when the Cougars join the Power Five conference in two years.
BYU men's basketball picked to finish second in West Coast Conference
After a second consecutive successful, 20-win season, BYU men's basketball was picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference preseason poll. With 72 points and one first-place vote, the Cougars are behind just Gonzaga (89 points; nine first place votes) in the poll released on Thursday. After losing two of three seniors and a few other key reserves to transfers, BYU is returning eight players from last year's squad that went into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed.
Turnovers cost BYU its undefeated record. Now, the defense is emphasizing the need for takeaways at Baylor.
The turnover battle is one of the most important aspects of any game, as was made apparent last week when BYU coughed up four turnovers in the loss to Boise State. Prior to facing the Broncos, the Cougars had committed just two turnovers over five games. Now, part of the BYU defense's priority this week is focusing on how it can get some takeaways on Saturday at Baylor. Defensive lineman Earl Tuioti-Mariner said it's actually a "huge" part of practices this week.
BYU will face first 'real adversity' with 'love and learning'
Just moments after getting handed their first loss of the season against Boise State on Saturday, instead of just heading to the locker room with their heads down, BYU players made their way to the edge of the stands to thank fans and hug loved ones. It's part of the culture coach Kalani Sitake has created at BYU. And it's part of why the Cougars have had so much success, particularly over the last couple of years.
BYU's performance against Boise State cost more than the Cougars' undefeated record
Through the first five games of the season, BYU had a simple playbook to success: protect the ball, force turnovers and win the line of scrimmage. On Saturday, Boise State used that same playbook against BYU, handing the Cougars their first loss of the season, 26-17. And it cost them. BYU dropped down to No. 19 in the AP Poll - nine spots down from its previous No. 10 ranking.
Boise State hands No. 10 BYU first loss of season
Maybe it had been too good to be true. Maybe it was just bound to happen. But, whatever the reason, No. 10 BYU got a taste of its own medicine on Saturday when it hosted Boise State in LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars were victims of turnovers and lost the battle in the trenches as the Broncos steam rolled BYU for a come-from-behind win, 26-17. The loss snapped BYU's seven-game win streak that started at the end of last season and tarnished the Cougars' 2021 record, now 5-1.
The BYU defense can stop the run, but can it break up an air raid?
By now, the BYU defense has proved it knows how to stop the run, but can it stop a passing game? That will be answered on Saturday when the 10th-ranked Cougars host Boise State at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU will look to earn its third straight win against the Broncos. Last weekend, BYU held Utah State to just 22 rushing yards - a new season low after allowing Arizona only 81 rushing yards in the season opener. Overall, the Cougars are allowing opponents 127.4 yards per game.
No. 10 BYU can't let the buzz get too loud as Boise State comes to town
There's a lot of buzz surrounding the BYU Football program, but how much of it is being heard by the Cougars? It's obvious players and coaches alike stay up to date with a certain level of local and national media coverage. In this day of social media, stories can be shared instantly into their inboxes. After all, for a second consecutive season, BYU has opened 5-0 and broken into the Top 10 in the AP Poll. Last season, The Cougars sat as high as No. 8 in the national rankings.
With a win over Utah State to start the 2021 season 5-0, has BYU started to make a case to the Playoff Committee?
After beating Utah State on Friday to start the season with an undefeated 5-0 record, has BYU made a case for itself to be considered for a New Year's Six bowl? Maybe even get in the playoff conversation? There's obviously still a lot of games to be played, but the Cougars have certainly put themselves in the best position. The first indication came on Sunday, when BYU broke into the Top 10 in the AP Poll.
No. 13 BYU loses starting quarterback, beats Utah State 34-20
Throughout all of fall camp, BYU coaches touted the fact they had three quarterbacks that could start when the season started, and even had the quarterback race last through the entirety of camp. The quarterback depth was tested Friday when backup quarterback Baylor Romney left the game at halftime due to concussion protocol and freshman Jacob Conover came in the second half to close out the game. No. 13 BYU was able to hold on to beat Utah State 34-20, and hold on to the Wagon Wheel trophy.
How BYU quarterback Jaren Hall used Instagram to get his O-line paid
After the big rivalry win over Utah, BYU quarterback Jaren Hall took a moment during the post-game press conference to make a plea: take care of his offensive line. "Any people out there willing to sponsor this offensive line? Please do." Hall said. "Pay those guys, get them some food, please." The Cougars' starting quarterback continued his call to action when he posted a photo of himself and the O-Line on Instagram, with a caption that read: "I'm just happy to be here...
BYU is facing its first hostile crowd in its first true road game this season, at Utah State. How will the Cougars fare?
A year ago, home-field advantage was nearly nonexistent throughout the country. Teams took the field in empty or nearly empty stadiums as COVID-19 raged on. While the pandemic hasn't ended, fans are back at games, with small precautions in place. More than a month after the 2021 season started, BYU football will finally experience its first true road game when it travels to Logan to take on Utah State on Friday.
BYU is about to prove what it's made of
The BYU Cougars are about to prove who they really are. After a 4-0 start to the season, BYU finds itself banged up a third way into the season. And, by their own admission, there are major problems on defense that Cougars will have to fix sooner rather than later, too. If they can handle that, there's a spot in the Top 10 waiting for them.
BYU quarterback Baylor Romney gets start against USF
As BYU players warmed up at LaVell Edwards Stadium, hours before the Cougars were scheduled to kick off against South Florida on Saturday night, one athlete was visibly missing from the group. Baylor Romney, Jacob Conover and Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters were all seen making passes, but Jaren Hall was nowhere to be seen. Hall would later make an appearance, sitting on the sidelines in street clothes. The season starter took a hard hit late in the game against Arizona State a week prior.
BYU linebacker Ben Bywater overcame his own injury last year, primed himself to be next man up
As a junior at Olympus High School, Ben Bywater sat out the majority of his football season due to a lacerated kidney. At first, the linebacker thought it would affect his chances at playing in college, but BYU staff got creative. BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki remembers coaches looked at Bywater's rugby film, which led to the Salt Lake City native's first offer. "I'm familiar with the game of rugby," Tuiaki said.
For true success, BYU will need to overcome slow starts
So far, BYU football fought its way back into a national ranking and a 3-0 start. But, if the Cougars hope to continue their success, they're going to have to start producing offensively a lot earlier.
BYU loses top defensive player for the season
Midway through the third quarter against Arizona State, Keenan Pili made a tackle on a broken play that left the redshirt sophomore on the ground grabbing his left knee. The linebacker was eventually helped off the field, but will not be making a return anytime this season. On Monday, BYU coach Kalani Sitake announced that Pili suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Saturday's 27-17 win over the Sun Devils.
Tyler Allgeier's hustle play is perfect parable for BYU's season
There's no better metaphor for what type of team BYU football is right now than the iconic third-quarter play that transpired on Saturday. The Cougars, who came in at the No. 15 spot of the latest AP Poll on Sunday, went on to beat Arizona State 27-17, but the game could have easily gone another way. After the Sun Devils made it a four-point game, BYU quarterback Jaren Hall threw his second interception of the game while trying to avoid being sacked.
No. 23 BYU grinds out win over No. 19 Arizona State
It was bizarre. And wild. And at times just made no sense. To add to it, by the end of the night, the Cougars had lost their starting quarterback. But somehow No. 23 BYU punched out a 27-17 win against No. 19 Arizona State in LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday night. BYU has now opened the 2021 season on a three-game win streak. The Cougars only tallied 12 total yards in the first quarter, yet were the first to score.
For BYU Football, the move to the Big 12 means getting out of independence. But what does it mean for men's basketball?
BYU men's basketball coach Mark Pope has a vision in his head. Important conference games at the historic Allen Fieldhouse in Kansas. Fans rushing the court at the Marriott Center after a win over a top-ranked opponent. The Cougars are gearing up for Gonzaga and the West Coast Conference right now. But soon enough, BYU will find itself in what might be the best basketball conference in the nation right now.
With BYU in the Big 12, athletic director Tom Holmoe reaches 'legendary status' in Provo
Tom Holmoe couldn't stay still. Minutes before BYU and Utah ran out of the tunnels at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday night, the Cougars' athletic director rushed to get down to the field himself. Holmoe paced while waiting for the elevator. Once in the elevator, Holmoe continued bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet and soon shuffled over to get a clear view of the small TV in the elevator.
BYU men's basketball coach Mark Pope touts this season's nonconference schedule as toughest of his tenure
A bit later than usual, but the field is finally set. BYU men's basketball released its nonconference schedule on Tuesday and will officially start practice on Sept. 28. With approximately 10 projected Quad 1 teams awaiting the Cougars in November and December, BYU will need to jump right into preparations. "I'm super excited about the release of the schedule today," BYU coach Mark Pope said. "It's really daunting.
In a win over No. 21 Utah, BYU football proved it should be taken seriously this season
BYU made a statement Saturday night. The Cougars may not be perfect, but they're the real deal. They showed that in a 26-17 win over No. 21 Utah. Any doubt still leftover from last season, when BYU played a historic season against a softer schedule than originally planned, might finally be laid to rest. Add in Friday's news of BYU becoming a future Big 12 member, and the Cougars had arguably one of the best weekends in program history.
BYU stuns No. 21 Utah, snaps nine-game losing streak against Utes
Provo * There was magic in the air surrounding LaVell Edwards Stadium. The anticipation for the rivalry game between BYU and Utah was palpable, with fans filling the stadium for the first time since the end of the 2019 season. And if it felt like anything was possible, maybe it was. The Cougars battled for a 26-17 victory over No. 21 Utah, a win that snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Utes that stretched over the last 12 years for BYU.
It's a big week for BYU football. It's a bigger week for running back Lopini Katoa
For BYU Football, this is a big week. Not only are the Cougars preparing for Utah - a rivalry series they haven't won since 2009 - but they are set to be invited into the Big 12 conference. For Cougar running back Lopini Katoa, this may be the biggest week of his life. And suddenly, Saturday's rivalry game just doesn't seem that important. As Katoa practiced for Saturday's game this week, he also prepared for his mother to undergo surgery to remove a brain tumor Friday.
BYU linebacker Keenan Pili made 17 tackles against Arizona. Where does he go from here?
Keenan Pili floated all over Allegiant Stadium On Saturday. He moved his feet with such finesse to get to his assignment and work on tackling his opponent. And just as his feet were quick, his arms were strong. The redshirt sophomore made 17 total tackles (10 solo) in BYU's season-opening win against Arizona. "[I was] just doing my 1/11th," Pili said afterward.
BYU to honor late Ute Ty Jordan at Saturday’s rivalry game
Utah has dedicated the season to Jordan, who was tragically killed in an accidental shooting last December (@byueqipment via Twitter) Members of the BYU football equipment staff hold a flag that honors former Utah Utes running back Ty Jordan, who died last year. The rivalry will be paused for a moment. On Saturday, as the BYU football team gets ready to take on the Utes, the Cougars will honor late Utah running back Ty Jordan with a flag at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU hasn't beaten Utah in football since 2009. Can the Cougars break their losing streak this year?
Twelve years. That's how long it's been since BYU last beat Utah. After not facing each other on the gridiron last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars and the Utes are back on the schedule, with BYU hosting No. 24 Utah on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU coach Kalani Sitake said during Monday's news conference that the team is not only looking to learn and improve from last week's game, but is looking forward to facing a ranked opponent at home.
Defensive back Keenan Ellis carted off the field after first-quarter collision
The BYU Cougars open their season tonight against the Arizona Wildcats. Follow along for live updates throughout the night. BYU's Keenan Ellis is carted off the field BYU defensive back Keenan Ellis was carted off the field in the first half after a scary collision on the field. BYU athletics director Tom Holmoe joined players and coaches on the field, circling Ellis as medical personnel attended to him. A home game in Sin City?
The start of BYU's football season means something special to defensive lineman Atunaisa Mahe
For some, it only felt like the world stopped in 2020. For BYU defensive lineman Atunaisa Mahe, it almost did. The West Jordan native was running, preparing for the Cougars' football season when he felt his arm go numb. A dayslong headache followed. Then the entire left side of his body shut down. "The only word I could say was 'help,'" Mahe has said. By now most BYU Cougar fans know that Mahe was diagnosed with a venous thrombosis - a blood clot in his brain.
Tyler Allgeier is the Cougars' top rusher, but he almost left BYU after the 2019 season
Tyler Allgeier got the job at Walmart because he didn't want a handout. In the summer of 2018, the BYU walk-on took a break from pushing around tacklers to push around shopping carts at the big box store on University Parkway in Provo. "I just tried to make some money there so mom doesn't have to support me and send me money," Allgeier said. He didn't have a car that summer. Instead, the incoming freshman used Uber to get to work. "I Ubered a lot, and I hated it," Allgeier said.
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