What do birthday candles and BYU football opponents have in common?

But the former football coach would insist we not fuss about him, or his 78th.

"I'm very excited about what they're doing now," Edwards said. "I think it's an excellent football team. Offensively, they've got it all."

Edwards may be in retirement, but he keeps busy. Well, not as busy as two of his old rivals, Penn State's Joe Paterno and Florida State's Bobby Bowden -- still chasing much younger men's dreams at ages 81 and 78, respectively.

But BYU's innovator from 1972-2000 travels and plays a fair amount of golf, speaks to groups, does charity work and he still follows his sport.

Edwards quips that he doesn't get why Bowden and Paterno are still on the run well into the time they could be dipping into their retirement accounts, and perhaps Caribbean waters.

He's told them as much: "They're both happy what they're doing. They have the health, energy and whatever else do it, so all the power to them. I'm just glad it's them and not me right now. (Coaching until) 70 was plenty long enough for me."

Edwards has grandkids to dote on. While the Cougars were nipping through a tough win at Washington on Sept. 6, he was in Peru. It's a nice option offense to run.

"I didn't particularly want to go in the first place, but it turned out to be one of the better trips we'd ever taken," he said.

All the birthday boy wants is another home-team win today against New Mexico. That would not be a surprise present. The Cougars, 5-0 this season and ranked ninth nationally, have won 15 consecutive games -- and the same number in a row at LES -- heading into the 4 p.m. Mountain West Conference showdown with the 3-3 Lobos.

It's a flattering return of glory to Edwards, who had the 64,000-seat stadium named in his honor at his last game, which was against New Mexico.

"Bronco (Mendenhall) has done a great job of embracing the past," Edwards said. "He's extremely well organized. The team plays hard and is very well coached in all areas. When you're coaching, I don't think you realize all that's going on around you before the game and during it in the stands and outside the stadium. So to see that football is a major, happy thing in Provo right now is really a pleasure."

In case you wondered, Edwards was 1-2 when head coaching a game on his birthday.

No matter the Saturday, however, you can bet Edwards will watch the home game then retreat to his beautiful house to be with a lot of family. His wife, Patti, established the tradition many years ago of gameday stew.

It's to the point that grandchildren are inviting over their friends, who have heard of this famous dinnertime.

Edwards insists that company, and a victory, are enough for gifts.

No new golf clubs: "I need a new swing; the equipment's not the problem."

And no headphones to keep closer contact with the game: "It's interesting to see how the defense is playing, but I basically follow the ball just like any other fan."