Wyoming-BYU 2010 Recap

Well, BYU won.  It sure hasn't felt like it, even when they have pulled them out this season.  Here is a position-by-position recap.

Quarterbacks
Jake Heaps had a great drive in the fourth quarter, capped by a 12-yard TD pass to Luke Ashworth, the second of Heaps' career.  He also had the worst throw I have seen in my life (and I've played a lot of backyard football) on a third and short with a wide open receiver which resulted in a touchdown for Wyoming.  All in all, he finished 10-18 for 81 yards.  On that great drive he was 3-3 for 40 yards.  That means the other 10 drives he was 7 for 15 for 41 yards.  Until we see more good drives each game, BYU will struggle.  Some improved playcalling couldn't hurt either.  Quarterbacks: C

Running Backs
3 different backs averaged over 4 yards/carry, in a game where the opponent knew BYU was going to run the football.  Two backs had over 80 yards (Kariya and DiLuigi), a third had 59 yards (Quezada).  However, there was a huge fumble near the end of the first half.  There were also a few third and shorts that they did not convert on (partially thanks to bad play-calling...).  They were not involved in the passing game, but that is not necessarily their fault.  The RBs had 49 carries for 229 yards and 2 TDs.  That is fantastic.  Running Backs: B+

Wide Receivers
Considering what was on the roster for this game, they played well.  With Chambers suspended and Jacobson hurt, it was up to Ashworth and true freshman Cody Hoffman.  7 catches for 64 yards and a TD for that group isn't bad.  However, it is bad for a WR group, especially one that was supposed to be a strong suit coming into the season.  No fumbles and only 1 or 2 drops is improvement, but there is still no separation from the coverage.  Plus, improvement from horrible is merely less horrible.  Wide Receivers: C+

Tight Ends
In the aggregate, they did very well blocking in the run game, with Mahina leading the way there.  They only had one drop in the passing game, and ended with two catches for 21 yards.  If this were a Big Ten offense, they probably get an A.  But since this is merely BYU's best attempt at Big Ten football, Tight Ends: B+

Offensive Line
The running game was excellent.  The O-Line only gave up 1 sack in 19 attempted pass plays, and it was not necessarily their fault either.  But it was a costly sack, either way.  They also had way too many penalties in crucial situations.  Jason Speredon alone had 3 penalties, and he had a fourth which was retracted.  The group needs more consistency, but, all in all, it was a great game upfront.  Offensive Line: A-

Defensive Line
They did a phenomenal job eating up blockers AND making plays.  They completely shut down the running game, with the one (albeit huge 47-yard leading to a TD) exception.  They contained the mobile QB until the final two possessions.  They really were the dominant force behind the BYU defense's dominant performance.  It was not just one guy.  So'oto, Richardson, Manumaleuna, and Putnam all got in on the act.  Defensive line: A

Linebackers
The backers were making the plays behind the DL, just as scripted: DL eat up blockers, LBs make plays.  Hunter, Ogletree, Jorgensen, and Wagner all got in on the act.  Van Noy had a beastly game, though it didn't necessarily show on the stat sheet.  He had the big pass break-up that sealed the game, plus he spent a lot of time in the backfield either making plays or turning guys back inside for others to make plays.  If he can improve in pass coverage, the guy is going to be an amazing all-around talent at OLB for BYU for years to come.  Linebackers: A

Secondary
The secondary didn't really make any big plays throughout the game, partially due to a dominant front 7, partially due to just not making big plays.  They didn't make any plays when plays needed to be made.  They gave up the late TD.  They took bad angles and allowed Wyoming extra yards in the few cases when the front 7 let them get by.  They got away with one or two pass interference calls.  Uale made a TD-saving hustle play (of course, Wyoming scored two plays later), and the other 3 breakup several passes.  Logan dropped an easy pick and blew the coverage that led to the final Wyoming TD.  They weren't poor, but nobody is on a game when a defense gives up less than 200 yards.  They must play better.  Secondary: B-

Special Teams
There were no horrific punts.  There was a blocked field goal.  There was a holding penalty that negated a big return.  Overall though, they did a solid job winning the field position battle for BYU.  The kickoff coverage and the blocked field goal were the two negatives that stand out.  Special Teams: B+

Coaching
Offense was not as poorly called as some previous games, but there is still room for improvement and variety.  The ultra-conservative style is not very BYU-fan friendly.  I believe it also inhibits the growth possibilities for Heaps.  Bronco did a good job calling the defense, until he went ultra-conservative in the fourth quarter, rushing mostly 3, with an occasional 4th rusher (the 4th rusher is what won the game on the final play!).  Bronco and Anae, respectively: A- and C-