BYU preparing for pair of East Carolina quarterbacks


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PROVO — Bronson Kaufusi may be doing a lot of double takes this Saturday when BYU hosts East Carolina in its homecoming game at 5:30 p.m. MDT on ESPNU.

The Pirates (3-2, 1-1 American Athletic Conference) are notorious for playing two quarterbacks, especially the last three games when starter Blake Kemp — aka "the pocket passer" — has regularly rotated with James Summers — aka "the running quarterback" — through a pair of come-from-behind wins and a near upset of the SEC's Florida.

So Kaufusi, who runs different sets from his defensive end position depending on the run/pass play call, will be busy making sure his own personal clock is adjusting to the different tempo and schemes of each ECU signal caller.

"I know ECU has two quarterbacks, and they are both different. Being able to stop both of their different skill sets when they get on the field will be key to us," Kaufusi said Tuesday morning.

"It's really just a sense of awareness. When the different quarterbacks come into the game, you have to be aware of the one who likes to run the ball a lot or the passer."

Kemp, who has played in all five games for the Pirates in 2015, has completed passes at a 70.2 percent clip, amassing 1,107 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. The Mesa Community College transfer was the team's primary signal caller for the first two games of the season, until Summers came in and rallied the Pirates to a 35-28 win over Virginia Tech on Sept. 26.

East Carolina quarterback Blake Kemp throws a pass against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla. (Associated Press)
East Carolina quarterback Blake Kemp throws a pass against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla. (Associated Press)

"I'm impressed with them; I think they are a great team," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said of ECU. "It will be a great challenge.

"The last two games, they've played both quarterbacks. We'll prepare for both. Their point production has gone way up once Summers comes in. Whether he is the starter or not, we're not certain, but we'll prepare for both."

Kemp hasn't lost his job to the former Hinds Community College quarterback. But the junior has played in three games this year, totaling 276 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-22 passing while also running for 255 yards and four scores — the second-most rush yards on the team.

The Cougars (3-2) have seen something similar to that build before.

"When one quarterback is in, it's more of a run and the other is more of a pass," BYU linebacker Jherremya Leuta-Douyere said. "It was similar to our own offense; when Taysom was in, it's more of a running style and with Tanner, it's more passing. It's very similar to our own offense, so practice every day helps us to adjust.

"It's not as stressful as other weeks, because you've seen a lot of the plays from fall camp and spring ball."

The Pirates also run plays at a fast tempo, running 72.6 plays per game through the first five games in 2015 at a rate of 5.9 yards per play.

East Carolina's James Summers (11) looks to pass the ball while being pursued by Virginia Tech's Trevon Hill (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. (Associated Press)
East Carolina's James Summers (11) looks to pass the ball while being pursued by Virginia Tech's Trevon Hill (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. (Associated Press)

In other words, ECU has BYU's full attention. Outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga rates the Pirates among the top three offenses the Cougars have faced this year, especially in terms of skill-position talent.

"Their tight end is the best we've seen this year," Poppinga said. "He's really good, and they have really good skill guys to get the ball to. Turning on the film, I'm really impressed with the teams they played."

East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill is familiar with BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae; the two worked together at Texas Tech. And though Saturday's game is the first-ever between the two schools, he knows the Cougars' defense well, too.

"It's a unique relationship we have," McNeill said. "Bronco (Mendenhall) and our staffs exchange ideas defensively. That probably started about five years ago. Robert Anae is one of my best friends. He's their offensive coordinator.

"You'll see similar, mirror images defensively and even offensively."

Looking in the mirror at his own offense will only allow a split-second for Kaufusi, Leuta-Douyere and the defense to spot which quarterback the Pirates place into a specific play this weekend.

But come Saturday evening, they'll be ready.

"It's how we practice every day," Leuta-Douyere said. "They run different things from our offense, but a lot of it is stuff our eyes are used to seeing."

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