BYU Football proved a lot of people wrong this year. Did they pass the test?
BYU Football tends to surprise people. This season was a perfect example of that. After winning their three nonconference games, including a dramatic 18-15 win against SMU, the Cougars won six straight conference games with notable wins against Kansas State and Utah. The Cougars then lost back-to-back games against Kansas and Arizona State before ending the season with a win against a struggling Houston side.
BYU had a strong defense and was among the FBS leaders in takeaways. Turnovers turned into points, giving BYU big leads (just ask Kansas State). BYU excelled when they won the turnover battle with a 5-1 record when they had more takeaways.
BYU’s offense was off and on. In some games, they were clicking and in others, they struggled to get anything offensively. BYU’s run game did look better than last year and Retzlaff was a dangerous running threat, scoring several touchdowns and picking up crucial first downs. BYU’s pass game could get hot but they were interception-prone and dropped passes at the wrong time. BYU’s offense has a lot to work on before they play in the Alamo Bowl against Colorado.
Special Teams were BYU’s strength. Field goals, return touchdowns, and well-executed punts were key to BYU’s ten-win season. BYU’s Keelan Marion won the Big 12 kick returner of the year and is the first BYU returner with two touchdowns in a single season since Stacey Coley in the 1989 season. Kicker Will Ferrin kicked 21 successful field goals on 24 attempts, including the game-winner against rival Utah. Additionally, punter Sam Vander Haar averaged 42.75 yards per punt and specialized in pinning opponents deep in their own territory.
BYU was expected to win four and a half to five games this year. The Cougars excelled and doubled their wins, earning 10 wins and only losing two games. BYU suffered from the injury bug early but got their feet underneath them and went on a tear. BYU won nine straight and looked like they could make the College Football Playoffs.
However, the Cougars struggled in some areas, with costly turnovers and slow starts. BYU recovered against Utah and Oklahoma State but came up a few yards short against Kansas and Arizona State. BYU tended to have missed blocks, bad pass drops, and leaky run defense. BYU will have to work on these things before the Alamo Bowl.
Final Grade:
A-
BYU had their highs and lows, but one thing is clear: the Cougars proved everyone wrong. Initially picked to finish 13th in the Big 12, they finished tied for first. Cougar football always finds a way to prove the doubters wrong. They did have some questionable moments and the offense was inconsistent and the defense had trouble stopping the run, especially with mobile quarterbacks. Overall, it was a successful season and BYU has a lot of positives to build on next year.
BYU Football will be back in action on Saturday, December 29th in the Alamo Bowl against #23 Colorado. That game is at 5:30 pm MST on ESPN.
