Season low point comes in BYU's 55-30 loss to Boise State


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BOISE — Until Friday night, BYU hadn’t given up 40 points once this season.

Boise State hung 41 on a lackluster Cougar defense by halftime, and Broncos quarterback Grant Hedrick, who entered the night with eight passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, completed 16-of-19 attempts for 329 yards and three touchdowns.

The eventual 637 yards of total offense surrendered, leading to the 55-30 loss, ended BYU’s winning record, moving the Cougars to .500.

What began as a year without a ceiling during a Top 20 undefeated run has quickly become one surrounded by questions brought on by injuries and inconsistent play.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall shouldered responsibility for the shortcomings in handling the Boise State attack, telling Greg Wrubell on KSL Radio that he “called every defensive play.”

Offensive coordinator Robert Anae wouldn’t shift the blame from his offense for scoring only 21 points, seven of which came on the last points of the game with it out of BYU’s reach and 5:11 remaining.

The Good --------

Jamaal Williams: Without him, the Cougars would’ve netted a negative 7 yards on the ground. Williams’ 16 carries for 70 yards weren’t enough to significantly alter the course of the game, but it was a strong effort coming off an ankle injury. It could’ve been the lingering effects that kept him sidelined for the first three drives, but Williams had a handful of nice runs once he got his opportunity, including a 17-yard touchdown.

Colby Pearson: The sophomore wide receiver was Christian Stewart’s leading pass catcher and had the offensive play of the game with an 81-yard touchdown reception that he ran underneath and outstretched his arms to snatch.

Defensive scores: There wasn’t much in terms of positive play maintained throughout the game for this unit. However, it did get two highlights: Fred Warner's 20-yard interception return touchdown after he perfectly read a Hedrick swing pass and Logan Taele’s tackle for loss of Broncos running back Jay Ajayi that resulted in a second quarter safety.

Needs Work

Offensive line: It was a relatively average performance for a group that was clearing the way for a rushing attack gaining more than 207 yards a game coming in. The big men protected Stewart moderately well, despite giving up three sacks.

Passing attack: Stewart was fairly sharp, with a slow start that featured two three-and-outs and an interception he threw right before halftime, which followed Taele’s safety, acting as the major blemishes on his outing. Without Williams, BYU had a difficult time establishing the run early, and it contributed to the passing game’s delay in finding a rhythm.

Turnovers: The Cougars committed two, and Boise State turned them into 10 points. It isn’t the worst showing by Mendenhall’s team in this category, but the scores that followed Mitchell Juergens’ muffed punt and the aforementioned interception essentially nullified the nine points created on defense.

The Bad

Defense: Shoddy execution was the theme of the night as BYU tied the highest point total it has surrendered in a game under Mendenhall, dating back to the 55 given up against Tulsa in 2007. Players failed in their assignments in all three main aspects of defense: pass coverage, rushing the quarterback and defending the run. It was the low point in arguably the last five years for a once-proud unit. Ajayi was only part of the Broncos' ground game that ran rampant for 227 yards in addition to the 400-plus yard night through the air.

Coaching: In Bryan Harsin’s first year at Boise State and his initial coaching experience against the Cougars, he completely outdid Mendenhall and the BYU staff. The Broncos were simply better prepared for Friday night. Their 20-0 lead right out of the gate can attest to that. Harsin was charged with perpetuating the success of his predecessors, and he looked the more veteran sideline leader. BYU took too long to get into the game and couldn’t make the necessary adjustments to get back in it.

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Kyle Spencer

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