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AUSTIN, Texas — Another dominant performance propelled BYU to a lopsided 41-7 win over Texas Saturday night.
The Cougars left no doubt for a second year in a row against the Longhorns, even though it took them a half to really get going.
If there was any doubt BYU could compete in the Big 12 conference, which Bronco Mendenhall wants his team to be a part of, it was erased in a deflating game for a Texas team in transition.
Taysom Hill: He might be at the top of this list on a weekly basis at this rate. He hurdled, ran over, stiff-armed and even slid underneath defenders. His net rushing number was hurt somewhat by sacks that were considered rushing attempts, but again, he showed a knack for correctly reading the Texas defense. He carved up the Longhorns on the ground and was accurate through the air, with only a few exceptions. He can improve his awareness of when to throw the ball away if we’re looking for mistakes. It’s hard not to jump on the Hill for Heisman train.
Offensive line: BYU nearly tripled Texas in the rushing category, compiling 248 yards to the Longhorns’ 82. A team that once prided itself being among the best ground games in the country hardly compared to the Cougars’ attack. Four different players with at least six rushes averaged four yards or more per carry. Holes were opened, and even better, linemen got into the second level of the Texas defense. The unit wasn’t without lapses; the sacks allowed and high snaps show that. Still, a group that was at the forefront of every conversation surrounding last season’s woes has come a long way under coach Garett Tujague.
Defense: Robertson Daniel could be singled out for shining in his return to the field. He forced a fumble and recovered two. The shutdown corner was hardly thrown at, and the rest of the secondary is starting to look like a strength on defense, allowing just 8½ points a game. Bronson Kaufusi’s early exit is worrisome. But the pass rush showed life outside of him in Alani Fua, as well as some promising signs on the interior. Even safety Dallin Leavitt recorded his first sack.
Jordan Leslie: In his first game back in his home state since leaving UTEP, the Houston native was Hill’s go-to receiver. He caught seven passes for 85 yards, including one spectacular reception on a throw Hill made under heavy duress that he bobbled multiple times while concentrating to haul it in. He was charged with a hold on a Hill 66-yard touchdown run that was called back, but even Bronco Mendenhall said postgame on KSL that he thought it was a poor decision by the official.
Jamaal Williams: The junior was coming off a suspension and a minor knee injury. Yet he didn’t miss a beat. Only Hill had more yards on the ground, and Williams’ 31-yard run was the Cougars’ longest from scrimmage. With Williams back and both Algernon Brown and Adam Hine appearing as more than capable backups who supply a nice change of pace, 200-plus rushing yards might become more the norm.
Special teams: As a disclaimer, coach Kelly Poppinga’s personnel played much better than they did in the opener. Scott Arellano had a 64-yard punt, Trevor Samson made both his field goal tries and Mitchell Juergens had another nice return. However, BYU can’t seem to buy a touchback on kickoffs and was again penalized numerous times while kicking or punting and wouldn’t have been so fortunate with field position had it not forced four turnovers.
Finishing drives with touchdowns: Of the Cougars’ five trips into Texas territory during the first half, they only came away with six points. The efficiency was obviously much better after halftime, but BYU could’ve seized the game much earlier had it capitalized on additional opportunities. It may not have mattered overall. Putting an opponent away gives a team the chance to rest starters and gives backups minutes, though. It’s apparent the Cougars are loaded with ball carriers who can shed tackles, so if Robert Anae is planning on throwing the ball near the goal line, it might be a good idea to be more creative with routes that utilize the entire field.
Tight end involvement: Devin Mahina again had one catch — the only by a tight end. This isn’t LaVell Edwards’ BYU, so maybe this stems from nostalgia, but it still seems that if the tight end position is viewed as another receiver that needs to be covered rather than a likely blocker, there is space to be created on the sideline and in front of the secondary for the running game.
Fourth-down conversions: Yes, BYU only attempted one. And yes, any possibility of converting was wiped out by the high snap. It’s kind of grasping at straws during such a complete effort. It is an area where the Cougars can get better.
