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Provo • Of all the crazy numbers that came out of BYU's 41-33 win over Virginia on Sept. 20, perhaps the most troubling to the Cougar defense was the lowest one.

Zero.

That's how many sacks BYU's defense got, despite seeing Virginia quarterbacks drop back to pass no fewer than 58 times. Given plenty of time to throw the ball, Greyson Lambert and Matt Johns combined to complete 35 passes for 327 yards with just one interception.

It's a deficiency defensive coordinator Nick Howell hopes to fix as the Cougars prepare for Utah State on Friday (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN). Having rush linebacker Bronson Kaufusi back will certainly help; After recording two sacks in the opener against UConn, Kaufusi suffered a high ankle sprain against Texas and has not played since.

"It will definitely help us out on our pass rush," said fellow outside linebacker Alani Fua. "Bronson is just so big, and his pass rushing is amazing. Teams are going to have to focus on him, and that is going to free up everyone else on the defense. I think we will be hitting the quarterback a lot more."

Actually, Howell said the Cougars hit the quarterbacks plenty against Virginia, just not before they released the ball.

"We have knocked two quarterbacks out of games, so I wouldn't say we've had a bad pass rush," Howell said. "But we have had to blitz to get home and make the ball come out on time. Our four-man rush needs improvement. … When we send five, the ball is coming out on time, we are making plays."

Howell said he is "not sure" how much of an impact Kaufusi will have against USU, which hasn't said yet whether senior Chuckie Keeton or sophomore Darell Garretson will start at quarterback.

"I have only seen him in one game," Howell said of Kaufusi. "He had two sacks in that game, so I am hopeful that he provides a big body with good pass rush."

Fua said both USU quarterbacks are excellent playmakers and both present challenges to a BYU defense that was humbled a bit against the Cavaliers.

"Both quarterbacks are great quarterbacks, and we are going to be ready for either one," he said.

Receivers aplenty

BYU's receiving corps will finally be at full strength on Friday, as junior college transfer Nick Kurtz makes his debut after suffering a foot injury in preseason camp. Nine receivers or tight ends and four running backs have already caught passes this season, but that list of 13 does not include senior Ross Apo or Stanford transfer Keanu Nelson.

Receivers coach Guy Holliday said all that depth is a good problem to have, but acknowledges some good players are going to be disappointed in their playing time.

"Whoever practices the best plays, and whoever makes plays, plays," Holliday said. "This is not a friendship deal. If you drop a ball, or you don't block, there's this thing called the bench, and it is really a great motivator. And it is great when there is somebody standing behind it, waiting for an opportunity So it is fun to be around because you get everybody's best."

Briefly

BYU will wear royal blue jersey tops and helmets with a royal blue Y emblem on Friday in the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel game against USU. Fans are encouraged to wear royal blue, and BYU students will wear sunglasses and headbands to honor former Cougar quarterback Jim McMahon . —

Utah State at No. 18 BYU

P Friday, 8:15 p.m.

TV • ESPN