Playing BYU is a 'bloody your nose, backyard brawl,' says UConn coach


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — UConn head coach Bob Diaco says that playing BYU is a “bloody your nose, backyard brawl for four quarters.”

The first-year head coach spent three years at Notre Dame as its defensive coordinator and beat BYU twice — once during its national championship run in 2012 (17-14) and again in 2013 (23-13).

“Each game was down to the wire with Notre Dame,” said Diaco. “We were lucky to come out with a couple of wins.”

Diaco credits BYU’s toughness and discipline on the gridiron. “They don’t beat themselves.”

Playing BYU is a 'bloody your nose, backyard brawl,' says UConn coach
Photo: AP Photo/Jessica Hill

As defensive coordinator, Diaco has seen firsthand what dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill can do.

“The quarterback runs like a running back, a tough, fast, big running back. And he can throw.”

In freezing temperatures at Notre Dame Stadium, Hill ran for 101 yards and threw for 168 yards. He completed 21-of-36 passes for a touchdown and an interception.

Off the field, Diaco sees that BYU has a huge advantage with its mature coaching staff.

“Coach (Mendenhall) is in, I think, his 10th season there of program building,” said Diaco. “We’re counting months and they’re counting years.”

UConn is the first of three Friday games that the Cougars will play this season. Kickoff is on Friday at 5 p.m. MDT at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Related stories

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsBYU Cougars
Dave Noriega

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast