Return of 'Superman' has BYU receivers energized, confident

(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)


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PROVO — When the BYU football team visits Nebraska on Sept. 5 to open the 2015 season, the Cougars will do so under the four-year leadership of quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Jamaal Williams.

It's a stark contrast in optimism and positivity from the final two-thirds of the 2014 season that saw Hill and Williams both go down with knee injuries.

"When he went down, you could feel it," wide receiver Terenn Houk said of Hill, who broke his leg four weeks into the season against Utah State. "It was like someone punched you in the gut. He's been there before, and I hate to see him go through that again. That's my brother out there."

Hill, too, is excited to return for his senior season. A potential dark horse Heisman Trophy contender and Davey O'Brien Award watch list honoree, Hill has the chance to cement himself among the greats in BYU quarterback history. He ranks 11th in BYU history with 6,478 yards of total offense, 12th with 641 pass attempts and 16th with 4,338 passing yards and 12th all-time with a 57.1 career completion percentage.

And while Hill said his leg has healed completely, he admits there were times when he didn't know if he would ever take another snap.

"I had conversations with my wife all the time: Was I ever going to get back?" he asked rhetorically at BYU media day. "The thought of just running and getting back out there was difficult to imagine."

Cougars wide receiver Terenn Houk (11) runs after a catch during the Spring football game in Provo on March 27, 2015. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
Cougars wide receiver Terenn Houk (11) runs after a catch during the Spring football game in Provo on March 27, 2015. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

Coming back for spring camp gave the team an extra boost, even as Hill did nothing but take snaps and throw in 7-on-7 drill settings.

"Having him back out there is just having our leader," Houk said. "I call him Superman. It's good for our team."

Hill threw for 977 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions at a 66.7 percent clip as a junior before his injury, and backup Christian Stewart finished the year with 2,621 yards and 25 touchdowns.

It's no wonder, then, that Houk thinks this year's BYU pass game can be even better than before.

"It sounds like a lot, but I feel like we could've thrown so much more last year," said Houk, who caught 21 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. "There were times when our offense seemed unstoppable. We could throw, catch, run, block. I feel like that's why coach Anae gets on us so much; he wants us to throw for more, run for more, and be an amazing offense."

Mitch Mathews led all BYU receivers with 922 yards and nine touchdowns on 73 receptions, and three of their top 10 pass catchers from 2014.

Add in several offensive packages with two tight ends and a renewed emphasis on keeping Hill healthy, and the wideouts could have a big season.


Having him back out there is just having our leader. I call him Superman. It's good for our team.

–BYU receiver Terenn Houk on QB Taysom Hill


"You'll see the additional use of tight ends and more tailback runs, and none of those things are by accident," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "They should help Taysom play 13 games rather than four."

That gives Houk plenty of confidence going into his own senior year.

"I want to start every game, be healthy, be a contributor, be a leader. With Mitch, it's hard to be the best receiver, but I feel like I have things I can contribute," Houk said. "My goal is to have an undefeated season. Maybe that's a crazy idea to have. But with all the preparation we've had, I think we can really do that."

Hill simmered with expectations during the media day. But the confidence and optimism was beaming through his complexion, as well.

"This is the time of year when everyone is most optimistic," he said. "We're going to win every game and do all these things is the mindset.

"But I think at the end of the day, what I hope to see is us as a team reach our full potential. I don't know what that looks like yet, or what that will be. But I think as we do that, we will be in a position to win every game."

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