BYU-Washington

[smokymountainrain]

Did they? Probably one of those situations where the statistics don't agree with my impression. I felt like we kept getting stuffed on short runs.

I should clarify - when I say they converted every short yardage situation, I mean they converted every short yardage situation they had to convert. In other words, they may have missed on 2nd and 2, but then got it on 3rd and 1 - or missed on 3rd and 1 and then got it on 4th and short, etc.

[MarkGrace]

Why does Heaps wear the brace? He's never injured his leg, has he?

[MarkGrace]

Found this breakdown on CB that was kind of interesting.

I've seen people say that Nelson was driving the ball much better than Heaps was last night. Here are some stats (excluding Nelson's last drive where he knelt on the ball, so that doesn't kill has average):

Each QB had 6 drives - drives run by Heaps totaled 206 yards, while Nelson moved the team 196 yards.

Heaps had the 2 longest drives of the day (66 and 58). He probably would have gotten at least 1 TD out of those if the playcalling in the red zone was better. Both times, they ran straight ahead on 1st and 2nd down and didn't gain much, leaving a more difficult 3rd down conversion. Ended up with 2 FGs out of those red zone opportunities.

Starting field position was significantly different. All 6 of Heaps' drives started between his own 20 and 31. Nelson had 2 in that range, 2 between the 35 and 45, and 2 that started in UW territory (both of which ended in TDs). Nelson had on average 13 yards of better field position.

Anyway, I was impressed with both QBs. There was little statistical difference between them in the way they were able to move the ball down the field.

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5891249

[smokymountainrain]

Found this breakdown on CB that was kind of interesting.


http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5891249

Interesting. I would counter with the following...

Nelson threw the ball 17 times for 131 yards compared to Heaps 23 passes for 131 yards. IOW, Nelson was more efficient through the air despite the supposed advantage Heaps has as a passer. Nelson also out rushed Heaps 45 yards to 6.

That said, Heaps played the QB position better and was more impressive physically than I expected him to be. The last time I saw him play was as a 9th grader and while he was a very good athlete, he wasn't one of those kids who stood out to me from a physical standpoint. The arm strength he showed last night was shocking to me.

[Flystripper]

Found this breakdown on CB that was kind of interesting.


http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5891249

Well with the way that Nelson was moving it on his scoring drives the only reason he had less yards was because of field position. The stats cut both ways. Bottom line for me was that Nelson played WAY better than I thought he would and the 2 qb thing didn't kill us though I do think it hurt our rhythm from time to time.

[Flystripper]

Interesting. I would counter with the following...

Nelson threw the ball 17 times for 131 yards compared to Heaps 23 passes for 131 yards. IOW, Nelson was more efficient through the air despite the supposed advantage Heaps has as a passer. Nelson also out rushed Heaps 45 yards to 6.

That said, Heaps played the QB position better and was more impressive physically than I expected him to be. The last time I saw him play was as a 9th grader and while he was a very good athlete, he wasn't one of those kids who stood out to me from a physical standpoint. The arm strength he showed last night was shocking to me.

Me too! I had never seen him throw the ball till last night. All I had was reports and such. His throwing ability was way more impressive than I was expecting. He should be a good one for years to come.

[Flystripper]

I'm going to say something unpopular, Riley should be the QB.

Based on the performance yesterday I actually agree and it isn't that Heaps played poorly.

[Flystripper]

Riley Nelson is a tough SOB and one thing was clear tonight - he is definitely more Doman than Pendleton and even comparing him to Doman might be underestimating him a bit. He's a better athlete without a doubt.

agreed

[Shaka]

My quick breakdown:

1. In spite of a lot of fans moaning the two QB thing worked out. Both were nervous early and cleaned things up. Both threw some crappy balls and both were let down by the receivers. I knew Heaps was polished going in and he proved that point. He needs to develop a little bit of touch on his short and medium range throws. Also they playbook needs to be opened up for Heaps in the red zone.

2. Nelson proved what I've been saying since he transfered. He is more than the sum of his parts. He was effective with his legs and with his arm. Jake throws a more sexy ball but Riley has enough arm to beat a stacked defense. Who ever thought BYU could run an effective option?

3. I'm still worried about our running backs but JJ game me hope. He was also our best receiver. I would have never thought in a million years that Q would score our first touchdown with a reception.

4. O-line is everything we hoped they would be.

5. Middle linebackers were better than I'd hoped.

6. Chambers freaks me out when he catches punts with his hands.

7. Stephenson came up huge as a punter and kickoff guy. You can't give him enough credit for yesterday. Bronco has done a great job with the special teams.

8. While I think the two quarterback thing should continue next week and maybe beyond Nelson was more effective yesterday and I think he probably should have stayed in the game when we were trying to maintain the lead in the fourth quarter. Part of that opinion is the fact that he is so good on his feet and can keep the clock running.

9. The halftime thing proved to be surprisingly emotional for me. It was incredible to see my childhood heroes standing on the field with LaVell.

[CJF]

The arm strength he showed last night was shocking to me.

The best throw I've seen a BYU qb make in quite some time was the sideline drop by Jacobson. That was a pro arm throw. Hall can't make that throw today.

I also thought in the second half it was easier to run out of traditional offensive sets with Heaps because Washington wasn't stacking the box like they were with Nelson.

I still don't like the dual QB situation. It worked fine yesterday but it will cost BYU at least two games this year if they continue to go series by series IMO.

[MarkGrace]

Interesting. I would counter with the following...

Nelson threw the ball 17 times for 131 yards compared to Heaps 23 passes for 131 yards. IOW, Nelson was more efficient through the air despite the supposed advantage Heaps has as a passer.

And what, 50 (?) of those came on an absolutely WTF moment from a linebacker? I will give credit to him for getting it done in the passing game, but as I said during the game, some of his throws were just flat out uninspiring. Lots of wobble, lots of float and very little zip. While his passing number were equal to Heaps with fewer attempts, he did nothing to allay my fears that he'll be able to consistently get it done with his arm. Hopefully he improves in that respect, and I'm guessing he will as he gets more comfortable.

That said, Heaps played the QB position better and was more impressive physically than I expected him to be. The last time I saw him play was as a 9th grader and while he was a very good athlete, he wasn't one of those kids who stood out to me from a physical standpoint.

The arm strength he showed last night was shocking to me.

The velocity he gets is just unreal. And to think, he's not a man-child like most blue chippers -- it's pretty clear by looking at him that he's still going through some physical maturity. He looks 18 and not 30 like a lot of these HS studs you see. As he puts on more weight and more mature muscle, he only stands to benefit.

But damn I wish our receivers would come up with more of his throws. I already said that he could benefit from taking a little off it in certain situations, but I saw high schoolers catching these same balls a year ago. Some of those drops yesterday were just pathetic. And I hope Jacobsen is buying him breakfast this morning. Just absolutely blew a block that would have put JJ in for 6 on Heaps second drive, and flat out blew a drive for Jake in the 4th that looked like it was headed for points when he had a third down pass go right through his hands.

[New Mexican Disaster]

The best throw I've seen a BYU qb make in quite some time was the sideline drop by Jacobson. That was a pro arm throw. Hall can't make that throw today.

That was his best hrow of the day, no question. And that was the throw that made me say, okay this kid is going to be really, really good.

[Katy Lied]

Probably irreverent, but it really does look like he is laying him gently down into the waters of baptism.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Probably irreverent, but it really does look like he is laying him gently down into the waters of baptism.

He's going to have to redo it then, that leg is going to pop up out of the water.

[MarkGrace]

Probably irreverent, but it really does look like he is laying him gently down into the waters of baptism.

Is that Rich's hit on Polk? That was a serious message hit. I can't think of another significant catch that was made across the middle after that hit.