BYU-Washington

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Last Saturday's events were unpardonable.

Seriously he couldn't go pose for a photo for the school that gave his JC ass a chance? Disrespect is a disease.

[Surfah]

Last Saturday's events were unpardonable.

You mean losing to BYU?

[Green Monstah]

Seriously he couldn't go pose for a photo for the school that gave his JC ass a chance? Disrespect is a disease.

I think it was the right move, all things considered.

A few observations: since he was a JC transfer, he was only in Provo for 1/2 the time of most players....less time, not as deep a connection.

His first priority should be his team, not photo ops. Had he taken the photos, and lost, he would have been destroyed by the Seattle press.

[Green Monstah]

I thought you barked for Sark? That was short lived.

Well played.

[MarkGrace]

How impressive was BYU's season-opening 23-17 win over Washington? Consider that the Huskies (who were the most-improved team in the FBS last season, by record) opened the 2010 campaign returning:

their leading passer from 2009 (and the school's alltime QB rushing leader, Heisman Trophy candidate and projected #1 NFL Draft pick)

their top four rushers from 2009 (including UW's alltime freshman rushing leader)

six of their top seven receivers from 2009

offensive linemen who accounted for 44 starts last season (of 60 possible games started)

nine starters on offense

eight starters on defense

--

Now, consider that BYU started the game with only five offensive and five defensive players who regularly started games last season.

Additionally, note that BYU's starting QB last started a game four years ago, and that his platoon partner was taking his first ever snaps in a college game.

A dozen redshirt or true freshmen played during the game.

Of BYU's 262 receiving yards on the night, 100 yards were credited to players appearing in their first college contest.

--

I'm writing more about BYU's youth movement in my Tuesday Deseret News column, but suffice it to say that inexperience is not going to keep the Cougars from expecting wins like the one they earned on Saturday night.

*******

Starting three new linebackers, and with only one lineman who started games last season, the BYU defense was put to a substantial test in the form of Jake Locker. In a 2008 meeting with BYU, Locker ran for 62 yards and two TDs, while passing for 204 yds and a score. Two years later, his total numbers were not a great deal better: 295 yds, with a running TD and a passing TD.

Notably, Locker's career rush average of 56 yds/gm was cut in half, as BYU held the senior signal caller to 29 yds on 11 carries; Locker's long run was nine yards. In short, he was kept under control, which was the primary goal of the BYU coaching staff.

*******

Goal #2 was to control field position via special teams, and this was accomplished in spades. Washington began nine of its 12 drives at or inside the Husky 20-yard line, with an average starting field position of its own 16-yard line.

Three of Riley Stephenson's six punts were downed inside the 20, landing at the 12, 1 and 14 on three consecutive kicks.

The Huskies aided BYU's cause by mishandling two kickoffs; the resulting drives started at the UW two- and seven yard-line, respectively. On five kickoffs received, the Huskies opened ensuing drives at or inside their 20-yard line on all five.

A bad snap on an early punt led to BYU's first points on a safety.

*******

The third goal was to put BYU's two quarterbacks in positions to succeed, and both of them led positive drives throughout the game, with neither of them accounting for a turnover or even many bad decisions.

The complementary skills of Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps can and should be beneficial to a coaching staff that has previously unexplored options at its disposal.

Nelson showed his toughness by taking and giving hits on Saturday night; his determination to get into the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt was emblematic of his status as a "gamer." Riley Nelson knows how to move the chains (45 rushing yards gained, none lost), and that is the kind of player any coach would love to have under his command.

Heaps wasn't as accurate as Nelson, nor did he account for any touchdowns, but it was clear to see that this kid will be a pro, and a likely top-ten NFL draft pick someday. Heaps simply throws a "pro ball." It takes more than arm strength to make it in the college or pro game, but at 18 years of age, Heaps displays the obvious talents of someone who has trained his entire athletic life to hone the innate skills that made him BYU's most sought-after recruit.

The head coach of BYU's next opponent is not shy in praising the first-year freshman; AFA's Troy Calhoun says "I think the one kid (Heaps) is a slam-dunk (NFL) first round pick... he's as slam dunk as it gets. I think he's more talented than any QB they've ever had there."

*******

Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt was not as taken with Heaps. Here are some of his comments after the Huskies' loss to BYU: "I really didn't notice him out there, quite honestly. I know he's No. 9 and he's just another player out there to me. I didn't notice anything. I don't know if his stats are good. I didn't really pay attention to how well he played. He might have done good or bad, I didn't really pay attention to him. (No.) 13 (Riley Nelson) was more of a threat, in our opinion, because he could run."

*******

The Cougars solidified their "clutch" status on Saturday night. BYU has now won 12 consecutive games decided by seven points or fewer; the longest such streak in the FBS.

--

Saturday's game was only the 15th time in 65 games under Bronco Mendenhall that BYU trailed at the half. BYU is now 4-11 when behind at halftime.

--

"Always Be Closing": BYU is now 43-1 under Bronco Mendenhall when leading after three quarters

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=498&sid=12304693

[MarkGrace]

"Always Be Closing": BYU is now 43-1 under Bronco Mendenhall when leading after three quarters

That's pretty insane.

[Surfah]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=498&sid=12304693

That 43-1 when leading after 3 quarters is pretty dang impressive. Too bad that comeback record sucks. But at least we know how to keep a lead.

[tooblue]

Did you let out a sigh of relief when Nelson's horrible floater down the middle was dropped by the UW back? I know I did.

That pass gets intercepted nine out of ten times, and it's precisely why I will always hold my breath whenever Nelson is counted on to make a difficult pass at a crucial time in the game.

And you didn't wince when Heaps howitzered his receiver 6 yards away, wide open in the end zone? It won't be long before one of those beautiful balls traveling at the speed of sound are deflected high in the air only to land in the hands of a defender ... can you say tip drill!

While it's true Heaps is the future (maybe earlier than many think) right now the two QB system is the best option.

[Surfah]

And you didn't wince when Heaps howitzered his receiver 6 yards away, wide open in the end zone? It won't be long before one of those beautiful balls traveling at the speed of sound are deflected high in the air only to land in the hands of a defender ... can you say tip drill!

While it's true Heaps is the future (maybe earlier than many think) but right now the two QB system is the best option.

I didn't. It should have been caught. Had Bronco nutted up and named a starter after spring then these receivers would have had the necessary reps to get used to passes from Heaps.

[MarkGrace]

I think the point, at least for me, is that they both give us some trepidation right now. I don't feel more comfortable with one than the other, and both make me a bit uneasy. I will say that I feel Riley's possessions are less likely to result in turnovers, but a lot of that is inherent in the styles they are being asked to play. Running the ball a lot and making safe throws should lead to fewer turnovers. That said, neither guy did turn it over, and I was mighty impressed by that on both fronts. But in terms of moving the ball and putting points on the board, in the UW game neither seemed considerably more likely to do it than the other from my vantage point.

[tooblue]

I didn't. It should have been caught. Had Bronco nutted up and named a starter after spring then these receivers would have had the necessary reps to get used to passes from Heaps.

What's evident is Bronco nutted up by staying true to his principles giving his young team the best chance to win 9 games this season.

Yah, yah ... the ballistic missile should've been caught but it wasn't—I put the blame on the gunner.

[doctorcoug]

neither seemed considerably more likely to do it than the other from my vantage point.

Only one QB led to touchdowns. That seems like he was considerably more likely to put points on the board.

[Katy Lied]

His first priority should be his team, not photo ops. Had he taken the photos, and lost, he would have been destroyed by the Seattle press.

1. He could have sent his wife.
2. He could have sent his father/mother.
3. He could have sent the Washington AD
4. He could have sent a trainer/friend/equipment manager/the Washington bus driver.

He was making a statement by shining it on.

[cougjunkie]

What's evident is Bronco nutted up by staying true to his principles giving his young team the best chance to win 9 games this season.

Yah, yah ... the ballistic missile should've been caught but it wasn't—I put the blame on the gunner.

How come I am not surprised that you of all people would be the one screaming that the QB is throwing the ball to hard. Nut the eff up you pussy.

[Surfah]

What's evident is Bronco nutted up by staying true to his principles giving his young team the best chance to win 9 games this season.

Yah, yah ... the ballistic missile should've been caught but it wasn't—I put the blame on the gunner.

Of course.