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Boise, Idaho • Two years ago on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium, BYU's defense turned in one of its best performances of the Bronco Mendenhall era, despite seeing the Cougars lose a 7-6 heartbreaker to Boise State.

The Broncos failed to score an offensive touchdown, and were stonewalled by BYU's defense on four tries to score from inside the 5-yard line.

But Kyle Van Noy, Spencer Hadley, Uani Unga and Ziggy Ansah are long gone, and BYU's defense is nowhere close to as dominant as it was back then. Not even close.

Boise State sliced through the Cougars' defense like it was butter Friday night, driving 60 yards for a field goal on its first possession and 70 yards for a touchdown on its second. The Broncos had 151 yards of offense in the first quarter, while BYU had 13.

In the second quarter, the Broncos tacked on a 78-yard touchdown pass for good measure.

What will it take to get back to that level of play for the Cougars?

A couple of BYU linebackers, Alani Fua and Mike Alisa, took a stab at that question earlier this week.

"I would say just getting in the film room," Alisa said. "We have guys that are great athletes, guys that have the defensive mentality.

I think a lot of guys right now don't really know what they are doing in every situation. It is one thing to know what you are doing in just basic situations, but offenses are going to do thing to try to throw you off, and that's where they are getting us right now."

Fua was questionable for Friday night's game against Boise State with a sprained ankle, but saw some action in the game.

"I do think repetition is part of it," Fua said. "I think a bigger part of that is that guys need to be in the film room longer than they are right now. I feel like guys need to spend more time learning the defense and just knowing exactly what their assignment is, so they can play faster and not be distracted by things that are going on around them.

Noisy crowd

The Cougars had two false start penalties on their possession, which came with Boise State already leading 10-0.

With the Albertsons Stadium crowd at full throat, the noise was deafening down on the field.

Attendance was announced as 36,752, the biggest crowd since the last time BYU visited in 2012.

Briefly

Former tight end Spencer Nead carried the alumni flag onto the field. Kai Nacua (team) and Kevin O'Mary (special teams) brought out the other flags. The Cougars won the coin toss and deferred to the second half for the second-straight week…. Boise State was looking to become bowl eligible Friday night. The Broncos have made 12 straight bowl appearances, tied for seventh-longest nationally. They've played in a bowl game in 14 of the last 15 years. …. Temperature at kickoff was 60 degrees and skies were clear.

Twitter: @drewjay