facebook-pixel

BYU in review: Cougars showed they were capable for a half, but turnovers and an inability to stop the run crushed them vs. the Utes

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) ;Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) enters the stadium as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) ;Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) enters the stadium as Brigham Young University (BYU) hosts the University of Utah, NCAA football in Provo on Thursday Aug. 29, 2019.

There were showers, followed by a downpour, then a deluge.

BYU’s season opener against rival Utah featured three storms on Thursday. There were the mistakes, then it rained scores for Utah and finally it really rained, with lightning that led to a 54 minute delay.

By the time the 30-12 loss to the Utes was over a new day had begun, and with it came new hope or despair, depending on the color of glasses you prefer.

Two issues that the Cougars now face: Will they ever figure out a way to beat Utah? And what can be expected for the rest of the season after that opening night flop?

To the first point, BYU was capable in the first half but in the end mistakes and Utah’s speed were too much for the Cougars, particularly on the edges.

The only way that kind of a deficit gets erased is with recruiting, and no one knows if BYU can recruit the talent it needs to stand shoulder pad to shoulder pad with an upper echelon Pac 12 team. But being an independent school with strict requirements is a difficult challenge for any coach.

However, BYU coach Kalani Sitake believes that his team can raise its game. To that point, cleaning up the errors is a priority when closing the gap between the teams.

“We have to take better care of the football,” he said. “We can’t keep giving up touchdowns and pick-sixes to teams like Utah.”

The Cougars gave credit to Utah running back Zack Moss for his ability to burn them for 189 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, as well as chew up the clock in the second half. BYU had just five offensive plays in the third quarter.

“They were able to force feed Zack Moss,” Sitake said. “The way they were able to drive down the field, they didn’t give us a chance to get the ball back and that was disappointing for our defense.”

The Cougars also know they let some great chances escape them on Thursday, and addressing that will be a big part of the preparation for their next opponent, Tennessee, linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi said.

“Missed assignments killed us,” he said. “We weren’t playing clean and that is what hurts. When we put it altogether, we know we can be a great team.”

Three takeaways

• For a half, the Cougars looked like they belonged on the same field as the Utes. The defensive line won its share of battles and the offense played true to its identity in the first two quarters — while trying to find its way with either young or new players in key spots. Quarterback Zach Wilson made some smart decisions — and some not-so-smart decisions — but was good enough overall to help the Cougars keep it close.

• Tight end Matt Bushman picked up right where he left off last year’s game agains the Utes, with six catches for 62 yards in the first half. He did a nice job of getting exploiting gaps in the Utah coverage. However he didn’t have a reception in the second half as the Utes got pressure on Wilson and got him rattled.

• BYU has to do a better job against the run and create opportunities for the offense. The Cougars didn’t get many chances to rally in the second half thanks to Utah’s ground game. That game of keep away was made better for the Utes with the pick six scores. One could say they were just in the right place at the right time, but as coach Sitake noted, Utah always seems to be in the right place at the right time against the Cougars.

Player of the Game

BYU linebacker Zayne Anderson said he was eager to get on the field after playing in just four games before a season-ending injury last year, and he played like it Thursday, leading the defense with seven tackles and setting the tone in the first half.

A natural leader for the defense, Anderson’s play is crucial for success. It was good too see he didn’t back off from physical play following his recovery from shoulder surgery.

Play of the Game

The play that typified the way the night was going to go was Francis Bernard’s 58 yard interception return that put the Utes up 9-3 in the second quarter. Not only did it show the Utes’ ability to capitalize on mistakes, but it also was the first big crack in the armor of Wilson.

The sophomore, has had a whole offseason to think about the duties and demands of being BYU’s quarterback, but under pressure Thursday made multiple bad decisions. And aberration or a trend?

Up next

So what now?

Well there is the immediate concern of traveling to Tennessee next week.

The Vols could be a team on the rise under second year coach Jeremy Pruitt. They scored upsets over ranked teams in Auburn and Kentucky last season, and have tried to give the offense a fresh look with the addition of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who made Georgia’s offense one of the best in the SEC.

But BYU’s concerns start at home rather than in the land of orange plaid pants and Waffle Houses.

The Cougars have to cut down on turnovers and do a better job of converting in the chances given, but the reality is, BYU isn’t positioned any worse than we expected them to be at this point.

Losing to Utah, again, is a huge disappointment for a lot of fans, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the Cougars are headed for a bad season.

“We are excited to learn from this game and prep for Tennessee,” Sitake said. “We have to play a full 60 minutes.”

By Lya Wodraska | Special to The Tribune