Jake Heaps has continued to struggle. Riley Nelson came into the game today, energized the team, and led a 90+ yard touchdown drive to come from behind and win the game.
Heaps
Nelson
If you were the coach, who would you start next week against San Jose State?
Comment if you have a compelling argument one way or the other.
Hey there fellow Cougars! Back in August, I put up a poll about where you wanted BYU to end up: Indy, Big 12, or some other BCS conference. The results were that 40% that voted wanted to go to the Big 12, and just under 35% were in favor of remaining independent (the rest favoring a different BCS conference).
I would like to know if your feelings have changed, while at the same time narrowing the choices to just two.
Given the opportunity to make the decision today, and given whatever knowledge you have regarding the possible scenarios, would you choose for BYU to remain independent, or go to the Big 12?
If you have really good reasons for feeling the way you do, please comment below.
BYU was able to rebound after their home loss to Utah, overcoming the Knights of UCF last week 24-17. They won through superb special teams play, great defense, and just enough offense to get the job done. But the game was a step in the right direction! It felt much like the SDSU game last year, when we rebounded after the loss at Utah State, and won a close, scrappy game. This week, the Cougars are looking to avenge last year’s loss to the Aggies, and continue on the path of improvement. Comparing this team to the team that played up in Logan last year would be a mistake, as so many significant changes have taken place. Utah State got up early in the game last year, leading 24-3 at halftime. That won’t be the case this year.
What we know about Utah State (1-2, 0-0 WAC)
Utah State ended the season 4-8 last year, with wins over BYU, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and FCS Idaho State. Which of those doesn’t belong? Yeah. Not hard to miss. Lately though, this Utah State team has been in games they had no business being in, and they have lost games they had no business losing. Last season they lost at Oklahoma 31-24. They opened this season in a heartbreaking loss to Auburn (yes, that Auburn) 42-38. Last week though, they lost in overtime against Colorado State. Their lone win came in week two against Weber State, who they thumped 54-17. The Aggies have the 5th best rushing average in the nation, with 316 yards per game (high of 440 against Weber St.), and they are 14th overall in points scored, at 42 per game. This team is a dangerous one, and they already have an offense that’s clicking. On the flip-side, their defense is only ranked 97th, giving up an average of 31 points per game. Players to watch: freshman QB Chuckie Keeton, and junior RB’s Robert Turbin and Kerwynn Williams. The success of these players will determine the success of the Aggies.
What we know about BYU (2-2)
A win last week helped, but BYU is still eager to ease some of the pain associated with the Utah game, and hopefully give ESPN’s national audience some better memories of BYU’s offense. BYU also comes into this game looking to avenge their 31-16 loss at Utah State last season. It had been ten years since the Aggies previous win in the series, and you have to go back another ten years to find the one before that. The Cougars have more than enough motivation to put the hurt on their “little brother” this Friday night in Provo.
Keys to the game
Doman. As much as he may not like it, I think Doman may be back up in the box again this week, and I think that’s where he belongs. While his sideline presence is missed, I think his ability to see the whole field is invaluable.
Heaps. Utah State has the weakest defense that BYU has seen this year. This should be a great game for Jake to break out of his accuracy slump (which has been aided by dropped passes), which last week was well below 50%.
The Rush Attack. BYU’s rushing crew had a good game last week against UCF, with Kariya, DiLuigi, and Quezada each contributing effectively. Again, lining up against the Utah State defense should be a welcome treat for these guys, after having faced the likes of Ole Miss and Texas already this season.
Special Teams. Cougar special teams had an amazing game last week. Hoffman’s kickoff return for a TD, a muffed punt recovery, a handful of touchbacks, and a great punting average all combined to make the night truly “special” for this unit. You can’t really improve on that, but I do hope that last week inspired some confidence in this group and that they will be able to sustain the high level of play that they exhibited against UCF.
Bronco D. The defense really had a great game against UCF, who came in averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground, and were held to just 81 yards. The defense will again be focused on stopping the run, and in this case, the run is everything to Utah State. As they average more than 300 rushing yards per game, take that away, and they’re left with the nation’s 104th best passing attack to beat BYU. Knowing this, the Aggies will have come up with some sort of passing attack, likely aimed at weaknesses in BYU’s secondary. I think the D may give up a big play or two, but will keep Utah State with fewer than 100 rushing yards.
Prediction
This game provides another Friday night on ESPN – with no other college football games on – so they eyes of the nation will be upon the Cougars once again. The home crowd, the special teams, defense, and yes, even the BYU offense will prove too much for the Aggies, and BYU will win in dominating fashion: 38-13.
After the blowout loss to Utah last week, the Cougars were hoping to use this game as a turning point – something to build on – to define the rest of the season. BYU was able to accomplish that goal by pulling out a win against a tough UCF team – reigning C-USA champs who went 11-3 last season. While the Knights outgained the Cougars by nearly 140 yards, BYU won the game as I called it: on strong plays by the defense and by winning the turnover battle. Here’s a look at what went right and what didn’t, as we review our keys to the game.
Hoffman takes it to the house!
Doman. The BYU OC moved up to the box for this game. I won’t say that was why they won, but it certainly can’t hurt to be able to see the whole field of play, and thus be better able to identify the strengths and weaknesses that the opposing defense is showing you. Credit Doman for not losing the second half battle – as was the case the previous two weeks. The Cougars overcame deficits of 10-3 and 17-10 to eventually win the game.
Heaps. Jake continues to be a work in progress. His accuracy was below 50% this week, at 16/34 for a mere 133 yards and an INT. He was competent enough to win the game. One really encouraging piece, the leading receiver in the game was TE Marcus Mathews, who caught 4 passes for 35 yards.
The Rush Attack. BYU’s rushing crew had a much better night this week, combining (less the Heaps sack) for 137 yards. Kariya rushed for 52, DiLuigi for 38, and Quezada for 26 yards. Kariya and DiLuigi each scored a touchdown on the ground as well. After the game, Bronco said that they had simplified some of the running game. Whatever they did, I hope they do it again, and that it continues to be effective.
Special Teams. Special teams! From an abysmal game last week to saving the game this week! I cannot fully express how big an impact special teams had on this game. In the second half, BYU was finally able to put together a touchdown drive, only to have that be followed by a UCF touchdown drive, which put the game right back where it was. On the ensuing kickoff, Cody Hoffman accomplished what no other Cougar had done in 13 years: he returned that ball for a touchdown. 93 yards, and all he needed was one monster block as he ran the ball all the way back, untouched. It was an amazing moment for the team and for the fans. It also demoralized the UCF team who had just scored what would be their last points of the night.
Again, in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 17, UCF’s JJ Worton muffed a Riley Stephenson punt, which was recovered by BYU’s Michael Alisa. Michael ran it into the endzone and the entire team gathered around him to celebrate. It was something these guys needed to help ease the pain of the week before, when nothing went the Cougars’ way. They got flagged for a celebration penalty, and the touchdown didn’t count because you can’t advance a muff, but 3 Bryan Kariya rushes later, BYU had that touchdown and the winning score 24-17. Further, 4/5 Sorenson kickoffs were for touchbacks, and Riley Stephenson averaged 45 yards per punt on 6 punts, with a long of 67. It was really an amazing night for Cougar special teams.
Bronco D. The defense really had a great game. UCF came in averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground, and the BYU defense was able to hold them to just 81. They were also held to just about half of their usual points per game, at just 17. The defense, like the offense this week, did not fall behind due to poor halftime adjustments, as they allowed only one scoring drive in the second half. Standout performances by Joe Sampson (impressive Sack early on, and an INT to seal the game), Uona Kaveinga (who continues to force fumbles and just be plain nasty), and Kyle Van Noy (who showed off a wicked vertical leap to tip the ball that Sampson intercepted).
The biggest weakness for the defense continues to be Corby Eason. He dropped a potential INT that hit him in the numbers, and the UCF quarterbacks were targeting (and having success against) his side of the field all game long.
What we know about UCF (2-2, 0-0 C-USA)
UCF expected to come in and win against BYU this week. Their players were frustrated by the loss, especially when they were able to dominate the offensive statistics. UCF has a bye this week, so they will have plenty of time to dwell on the loss, and prepare to open C-USA play on October 8th against 1-3 Marshall. The following week will be a rematch of last year’s C-USA championship game at SMU.
What we know about BYU (2-2)
This game felt much like last year’s game against San Diego State. It was a close, hard-fought game, which I felt helped to define the season. I applaud the fact that the players were able to come together to win a tough, close game, just one week after having so much go wrong against Utah. Hopefully the Cougars can build on what they did in this game as they take on Utah State next week.
Questions abound regarding the BYU program that was annihilated last week in the game that Utah fans have dubbed “shock and awe”. What was the cause of the comedy of errors in that game? Was Utah THAT good? Was BYU THAT bad? Was it rivalry jitters? First home game and couldn’t handle the pressure? We hope to find the answers to those questions and more this Friday, as BYU plays host to the Knights of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Bronco Mendenhall has said that this game is a “must win” for a program with so many questions raised by the blowout loss last week. I think we can all agree with that.
What we know about UCF (2-1, 0-0 C-USA)
UCF ended last season 11-3. The Knights beat SMU in the C-USA championship game, and went on to defeat Georgia in the Liberty Bowl 10-6. This season, the Knights started out strong with wins against FCS Charleston Southern and Boston College, but fell last week to FIU despite outgaining the Golden Panthers offensively. UCF QB Jeff Godfrey is a dual threat – he is capable of running the ball – and rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown against FIU. He doesn’t always get away though, and was sacked 6 times in that game. The Knights are currently 3rd in the nation in points against, giving up 6.7 per game, while scoring an average of 34. They are fairly balanced in passing and rushing offense, gaining 204 and 223 yards per game, respectively.
What we know about BYU (1-2)
The last two weeks the Cougars have been awful in the second half. Texas and Utah were able to make good halftime adjustments to improve their play, and BYU has been unable to cope with those adjustments. BYU was outscored 54-3 in the second half over the last two games. In the loss last week, the offense gave up 7 turnovers, including two that were returned directly for Utah touchdowns. The defense (whether they gave up or not) was worn out by the end of the game, and it seemed they had little to play for, as the offense put more points on the board for the Utes than for themselves.
Keys to the game
Doman. I was okay with the play-calling last week, but that doesn’t mean that Doman is off the hook. The offense was careless with the ball, and the shotgun snap issues are evidently still a problem. The offense was able to make some good plays, but only twice were able to score. I’m pretty sure that a pro-style offense is supposed to include some kind of running game – but that has not been working either. Half-time adjustments by Texas and Utah led to the Cougars scoring only 3 points in the second half the last two weeks. Doman needs to a) make better halftime adjustments, and b) adapt to changes implemented by the other team at halftime. It’s also on Doman to make the necessary adjustments for the runningbacks to have an impact on the game. DiLuigi, Quezada, and Kariya are all capable of running the ball effectively, they apparently just can’t get it done in the current scheme.
Heaps. Heaps threw for 300 yards last game, but on 27 passes (50 attempts). I would love to see the number of attempts drop, but that won’t until the running game improves. He reconnected with Cody Hoffman last week – for 138 yards, and hit Apo for a TD. I hope that Heaps can build on that and that he and his receivers can learn to trust one another.
The Rush Attack. I do not know what is wrong with our running game. The talent is there. Confidence may have been an issue last week, as DiLuigi and Quezada each fumbled early in the game. Half-way through the third quarter the Cougars became a pass-exclusive offense, which didn’t help anyone, as Heaps couldn’t manage the pressure, and even Nelson gave up the ball when he came in.
Special Teams. Falslev muffed the ball and the Utes officially recovered it on the one yard line. I hope he’s had a few extra reps catching the ball this week. Hoffman has the speed to run, but he doesn’t seem to be creative at all when he gets the ball. Sorensen hit a 46 yard field goal last week, the longest of his career. I hope that he can continue to build his (and our) confidence, so that he can be a reliable asset.
Bronco D. The defense has also been stellar in the first half. Bronco, like Doman, needs to do a better job of adapting to the opponent’s halftime adjustments. Corby Eason is the obvious weak link in the defense right now, and opposing quarterbacks are aiming his direction all game long. My biggest memory of him last week was a play where he ran toward the ball hoping for the INT, but it sailed over his head, and he was way too far out of position to make a play on the receiver, which resulted in an easy Ute touchdown. It’s tempting to go for the INT, but I’d much rather you stay back in your position. Evidently we don’t have anyone better, or they’d be on the field, but something has to be done to fix this.
Prediction
This game is a must-win for the Cougars to gain back some of their credibility, and get some good exposure points on ESPN. A big win is probably too much to hope for, but I do think the Cougars can win this game, on strong play by the defense and by winning the turnover battle. I pick the Cougars over the Knights 24-14.
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Edited by Jeremy Kidd
