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EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — As BYU begins its fourth year competing as an FBS independent, the Cougars hope to avoid duplicating their most recent season-opening result.
Much has changed since lightning delays stalled the BYU offense and the continuation of an eventual loss at Virginia, some of which is quantified in the line makers tabbing the visitors as 16½ point favorites.
And while one game isn't enough to determine the overall progress made from one year to the next, it will signify an opportunity for the Cougars to show how far they’ve come since offensive coordinator Robert Anae rejoined the staff and Bronco Mendenhall gave the defensive play-calling reins to Nick Howell.
No Jamaal Williams, Devon Blackmon or Nick Kurtz means BYU is without its workhorse at running back, a speedy deep threat in the slot and a 6-foot-6 target, but new and old faces provide Taysom Hill and the offense with plenty of weapons. Anae suggested the team would look to stretch the field more often, something that shouldn't be put off until the latter stages of the contest. Hill needs to get receivers like Mitch Matthews, Jordan Leslie and Terenn Houk involved in the passing game early to keep the secondary back and open rushing lanes for himself and Adam Hine.
Three players on the defensive side of the ball, nose tackle Marques Johnson and cornerbacks Robertson Daniel and Jordan Johnson will also miss the date with the Huskies, meaning the BYU secondary will likely be tested continuously. UConn quarterback Casey Cochran didn’t enjoy an excellent start to his collegiate career last season but went 3-1 in his four starts while passing for 1,110 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in those games. Instead of relying on second-string cornerbacks to lock down Cochran’s receivers, Howell will likely dial up a number of blitzes.
Offensive line coach Garett Tujague said this was one of the Cougars’ main focuses as they concluded camp, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. BYU ranked 88th in third-down conversion percentage (37.7) in 2013. Williams’ absence hurts here, but a deeper, more experienced line will be paving the way for Hine and Hill. If the Cougars can simply convert in short-yardage downs, they’ll add even more plays to their furious pace.
Anae’s reinstituted “go fast, go hard” offense wasn’t good at scoring touchdowns when it made it inside the 20-yard line. A lot has gone into improving the 11th worst red zone efficiency in the country, including scripted plays designed with specific personnel. Those packages will be somewhat limited due to the aforementioned injuries and suspensions. Still, BYU shouldn’t be relying on senior kicker Trevor Samson after he spent 2013 on the scout team. Only five UConn defensive starters return from a team that was 77th in red-zone defense.
Even without a number of skill players, BYU is going against a UConn team mired in transition. Head coach Bob Diaco appears to have a plan in place to get the Huskies back to national relevance, but this year won’t likely bring that story. He has two more offensive starters returning than he does on defense. However, that doesn’t say much when the team went 3-9 and ranked 108th in points scored and 86th in points allowed. If BYU takes care of the ball and doesn’t commit any turnovers, this one could be over before the fourth quarter begins.
