First Half thoughts
BYU leads Utah State 24-0. A shutout is still a possibility.
But the Cougar offense has not lived up to expectations, failing to sustain drives, chugging to a stop on dropped passes, lack of concentration and poor execution.
Where have I seen this scene before?
Many times when the Cougars play the Aggies. It’s tough to keep the edge when favored to administer a first-class spanking.
This starts on the offensive line and play calls. Then I’d place a little blame on Max Hall and Austin Collie, who seem to force some things as a tandem. Collie’s drop on a drag route was silly. Hall’s pick, directed at Collie, was into triple coverage.
The Aggie defense is nothing compared to New Mexico and TCU and yet they’ve succeeded in giving up 24 points on short fields due to BYU defense getting some turnovers.
The only BYU sustained scoring drive in the first half was the first series, a giant bomb to Collie.
The Cougars need to line up and deliver some physical play and pound it at the Aggies, forcing the secondary to protect the box.
Offensively, the challenge is on: Rest the Defense.
Max Hall is 11 of 18 for 171 yards, a TD pass and a pick. Give him a C.
Austin Collie, I’d give him a C after that bomb.
Dennis Pitta, he did have a drop on a tough third-down sideline play to the five but his post bombs and conversion plays were about all the Cougars had going. Grade him a B.
Harvey Unga? Can’t do it alone without blocking and it isn’t there. B
O-Line: C.
Play calling? Grade it a B-.
Execution C.
Focus: About a C.
Payne field goal kicking 1 for 2, Grade C.
The story of this game is two parts. Aggie turnovers and the Aggie defense now allowing long drives by the Cougar offense. The question is, how much is it USU defense and how much is BYU sloppiness?
On the other hand, I’ve seen this kind of game before. Many times, in fact, and they’ve come in this series over the years whether it be Robbie Bosco, Steve Young, John Walsh, or Bret Engemann.
24-0 and it should be about 42-0.
On to the second half.