BYU v Wyoming: Post Game Wrap Up

by Staffieri on Oct 23, 2010 2:17 PM PDT

As the BYU Cougars took on the Wyoming Cowboys today in Provo, the weather was ugly. The fans didn't fill the stadium for the first time in a while (probably due to weather). And while the game was a victory for the Cougars, it did not come in the most beautiful fashion. There were however, many positives that I was able to take away from the game today. Even amidst the penalties, dropped passes and late scores I have never been this encouraged about the future of BYU football.

BYU Defense

The defense was outstanding today! Through one half of football Wyoming had -11 yards of total offense. Through 3 quarters the Pokes had eeked out less than 40 yards of total offense. But in the 4th quarter the Pokes came alive behind the arm and feet of Austyn Carta-Samuels. Two plays after a 47 yard run by Robert Herron, Carta-Samuels hit Chris McNiell for a wide open 16 yard touchdown to bring Wyoming within 5. On their final drive, which started at their own 13 the Cowboys converted a 4th and 9 near mid-field, but could not convert on 4th down and 10 at the BYU 25. Once again the BYU defense came up big, just as they did against the Washington Huskies and the San Diego St. Aztecs in the 4th quarter.

BYU Offense

On the first drive of the game the BYU offense looked like they were just going to run over the Cowboys for four straight quarters. The BYU backs were picking up huge chunks of yardage at will. But then something went wrong. I don't know if the Wyoming defense made that good of adjustments or if the BYU offense just got a little lackadaisical, but whatever it was, our offense went back into the duldrums. After Jake Heaps threw a pick-six and "Juice" fumbled the ball on the BYU 25 to set up a Wyoming field, things were not looking good, but with the defense dominating I was sitting comfortable.

Receivers still struggled through out the day to catch Jake Heaps passes, but in the end Heaps was able to connect on big passes to Mathews and Ashworth (1 TD) to move the ball.

What makes me excited for the future?

The play of young guys like Jake Heaps (FR), Kyle Van Noy (FR), Joshua Quezada (FR), Brandon Ogletree (SO), Jadon Wagner (JR), Marcus Mathews (FR), and J.D. Falslev (FR) leave me feeling like this "re-building year" will be short lived. I mean these guys are all so young and with the exception of Jadon Wagner, they are all inexperienced, mostly freshmen.

Van Noy and Ogletree came up with big plays all day long. Van Noy in the first half and Ogletree in the second. It is becoming more and more apparent that these guys are settling in to their roles on defenise. They are starting to feel comfortable inside the scheme and are playing with new energy under Bronco. I like seeing a healthy Jadon Wagner back on the field. He has made some big plays in the last three weeks also, and is taking advantage of his chance to play. The BYU LBs are no longer a question mark.

The Juice is loose. Quezada is going to be a fantastic runner at BYU. I know he has put the ball on the turf a couple times this year, but this kid is very encouraging and will only get better.

I love the intensity of Falslev on the returns. So far he has been sure handed, tough and runs hard down hill.

The commentators made a comment about BYU coaches wanting to make Mathews a TE at 6'5" 215. I sure hope not. He is our best receiver right now and is a nice big target down the field. Aside from the fumble against TCU, this guy has played really well the last few games.

Our first year of independence will be one to remember for sure.

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first impressions

1. Loved the defense. Rich seemed a little off today. He got up from a pile in the 2nd quarter, looked shaken and seemed a step off – especially on that long 4th qrtr run.
2. I really thought Heaps would have a “step forward” game….I’m a little nervous he didn’t. Look at the replay of the TD pass. Heaps runs to celebrate and Kariya looks at him and runs right by him totally ignoring him to go to Ashworth. It made me wonder if there’s some internal friction on the offense in light of Chambers actions etc.
3. I would love to see more Falslev. Can he catch? Why isn’t he catching passes?
4. I loved the linebackers today. They took a step forward.
5. I thought the offense played with some passion but didn’t sustain it.

I’m excited for the win and I think we can win the net three…but the offense doesn’t look “together.” I think something deeper than youth is going on there.

Go Cougs!

by heyjoe! on Oct 23, 2010 3:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Don't read into the Kariya thing

there is no tension on the offense. Especially from Kariya. He would not out right sun a teammate, regardless of circumstance. Sometimes when you are all excited you just miss what’s going on around you. Plus Heaps did get a lot of love from the O after that play. Few chest bumps, a hug, maybe even a butt tap.

by Staffieri on Oct 23, 2010 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

true

Probably a misread. After the Chambers thing I was looking for cues this game about chemistry on the offensive side of the ball. By the way, what do you think of Gordon Monson’s accusations about Anae not relating well with players. I think Brad Rock was right to defend Anae. I’m curious though if the Chambers thing is a hint of internal issues that Bronco is working to eliminate.

by heyjoe! on Oct 23, 2010 5:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Agree with about 1% of anything Gordon Monson writes

I won’t go into too much, but suffice it to say that I never saw Gordon a one of our practices.

Anae’s relationship with the players is fine. Chamber’s issues were his own, not a team wide issue. The team wanted Chambers gone.

by Staffieri on Oct 24, 2010 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

this is the type of info i really value

Not being able to attend practices I would never know which reporters have an inside track and which do not. I just assume Dick Harmon and Greg Wrubell are fairly authoritative since they are “close” to the program and their reports have often been backed up with results and facts.

I like GM for the only reason that he provides a totally different opinion than mine and it helps me to see things from a different perspective. But I hardly agree with him, either.

by kiyoshige on Oct 25, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Dick and Greg

are great! Dick Harmon and I have a close mutual friend. Via the mediator, it seems as though Dick and I see things pretty similarly most of the time. For example, Harmon was one of the few, if not the only, local writer who was not selling the “Heaps for Pres.” shirts coming out of spring ball.

Wrubell is another great one who is always around.

Monson does provide another perspective, because he comes from the anti-byu standpoint, but just like a good debater, it is always nice to know what the opposition is feeling about you.

by Staffieri on Oct 25, 2010 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

looking to the future

It’s nice to be excited for the future based on “performance” in contrast to “expectation” or “potential”.

You know, I think in a losing situation, there is going to be some internal disarray. It’s expected and is necessary to improve and make corrections. But there is a right (Mendenhall, Anae, Rich, Van Noy, Heaps) and a wrong (Chambers, Hill) way to handle this dissent. The correct way to handle this adversity will also change from organization to organization. What works at one team may not work with another.

Heaps has statistically been one of the worst QBs in college football this year. Yet he remains positive. He forgets plays and doesn’t let ANYTHING get to him. Like Marc Lyons, I admire that. He hasn’t earned his way into the list yet, and here’s hoping he makes it by the end of the season. Utah would be soon enough for me.

by kiyoshige on Oct 23, 2010 6:03 PM PDT reply actions

Good game but the offense still stinks

The D is back for sure. I was very skeptical about Broncos ability to make a huge difference but I have been wrong the D has been awesome.

The offense still makes me shake my head some. With our new run offense, and as bad as Jake has been at times I wonder if Riley would have been any better.

I think too we will dominate the next 3 and then really be tested by the U. The look good. Their 3rd string played most of the second half anfd didn’t slow down a bit.

by McGrubber on Oct 23, 2010 7:10 PM PDT reply actions