5 keys to a BYU victory over Nevada


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PROVO — BYU (4-2) looks to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2010 against Nevada (3-3) Saturday night.

Although the Wolf Pack come in as 11½ point underdogs, their three losses have been by a combined 19 points.

Cougar coaches and players alike have intimated they will have to stop the best quarterback they’ve seen this year and one of the most impressively designed schemes.

Keys to the game: BYU =====================

1\. Contain Cody Fajardo -----------------------

Last time Nevada visited Provo, it was led to a two-touchdown win by current San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick in the third of four BYU losses during the aforementioned skid. Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian has a similar dual-threat quarterback in Fajardo. The 6-foot-2 senior has four games of at least 297 yards passing, and has run for 64 or more yards five times. He may not vividly produce memories of Kaepernick running and passing for scores, but he’s up against a defense that allows more passing yards per game than any other FBS team he’s played this season.

The Cougars have to try to slow Fajardo with a banged-up defense that could be without four starters — Craig Bills (concussion), Dallin Leavitt (ankle), Alani Fua (ankle) and Jordan Johnson (arm). Safeties Kai Nacua and Skye PoVey and cornerbacks Michael Davis and Jordan Preator will likely see the most significant increases in playing time and will look to shut down Fajardo’s top targets, wide receivers Jerico Richardson and Hasaan Henderson.

2. Stop the run

If BYU is going to deter Fajardo and company from scoring through the air, it will have to slow down the two-headed ground game led by him and running back Don Jackson. Defensive coordinator Nick Howell on Tuesday referenced how teams are setting up in max-protect to add blockers who clear the way for the run while also pulling defenders into the box to create single coverage. The Cougars can limit these types of formations by preventing successful Wolf Pack carries on first and second down. Although this component of Howell’s unit has been taxed by injuries, BYU still holds the nation’s seventh-best rush defense.

3. Find consistency in the pass game

Christian Stewart and the passing attack came out of the gates poorly and finished only slightly better against UCF. Stewart was 2-for-5 passing in the first quarter for 2 yards. Then, after his 11-of-14 showing in the third for 81 yards and three touchdowns, he went 2-for-9 in the final quarter for 14 yards. A BYU fumble on the first play of the fourth halted the Cougars’ chance to stretch their lead to two possessions and seemingly ended their offensive rhythm. When BYU was gaining first downs, a combination of a steady run and timely throws — some of the most crucial of which were caught by tight end Devin Mahina — provided opportunities for points. The ability to maintain consistency by completing successive attempts through the air lends itself to fewer scoreless quarters.

4. Move the chains

Coordinator Robert Anae’s offense had eight three-and-outs in the loss to UCF. In the Cougars’ previous five games, they had nine. BYU won’t usually have an edge in time of possession — it’s more concerned with total plays — but quick punts mean more time defending and often a loss of field position. Even without Jamaal Williams, Alge Brown, Stewart and Paul Lasike fueled a strong rushing attack. Finding a better balance between when to throw and run in order to convert third downs, especially the manageable short yardage situations, would aid the Cougars in turning the grinded-out gains into additional scoring opportunities.

5. Limit mistakes

The injuries are forcing young and inexperienced players into vital roles. With the increase of playing time, errors sometimes follow. BYU, however, needs to avoid as many of these controllable outcomes as possible. That includes a level of discipline in execution that diminishes mishaps. Just because the Cougars feature a less veteran group doesn’t mean they can’t record their first game this year with fewer than nine penalties. Protecting the football is also part of the quality BYU hopes to achieve. Both times the Cougars turned the ball over to UCF, they were in the red zone.

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Kyle Spencer

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