Cougar offense has no fear in facing vaunted Badger 'D'


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The Cougars have been on a roll of late -- on several rolls, actually.

After a slow start to the season, BYU quarterback Taysom Hill found his arm and transformed into a true dual-threat quarterback, ranking No. 6 in the country with an average of 357.5 yards per game of total offense.

Receiver Cody Hoffman is rewriting the BYU record books on a weekly basis. The senior sensation already set new marks for touchdown grabs and total receptions in a career and stands a mere 14 yards away from capturing the title of most receiving yards in a career, too.

And let's not forget about All-America candidate Kyle Van Noy who's also on the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Walter Camp Award watch lists. KVN only lacks a forced fumble and blocked kick to be the only FBS player to record a stat in every defensive category for the third straight year.

All this rolling has led BYU to a five-game winning streak, its longest since 2011, and a whole lot of momentum heading into Camp Randall for a battle against No. 24 (BCS) Wisconsin this Saturday.

Cougar coaches and players say it's a golden opportunity to make a statement against a big-name program in front of a national audience.

"I'm excited for our guys," said offensive line coach Garett Tujague after Tuesday's practice. "Opportunities like this don't come around very often, and I think we'll be ready. It's a great opportunity any time you get a chance to play a team that's got the reputation that Wisconsin does of being physical, and as an offensive line guy, you've got to love that."

Key to BYU's mid-season transformation has been the greatly improved play of the offensive line, both in protecting Hill and the pass game as well as opening holes for the ground attack. Coach Tujague credits practice and repetition in helping the line find its groove.

"I think it's a combination of things," said Tujague. "An understanding of what we're trying to do offensively has a lot to do with it, and I think the reps and any opportunity you get to run plays extra times [makes you] better at them. So, I think the repetitions have obviously helped."

The players also recognize the line's extra work and dedication and acknowledge an increased level of physicality in practice has helped the team prepare for gameday.

"I couldn't be more proud of them," said running back Paul Lasike when lauding the offensive line's improved play. "From the start to where we are now as a front, we've made huge strides, and I think it all comes from the way we've been preparing for our games. We've been placing a huge emphasis on practicing on how you're going to play. Don't just be technique sound. Be physical and act like it's going to be a game, because come game day, that's how its going to be."

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Another key element to the Cougars' offensive boom has been the growth and maturation of quarterback Taysom Hill in the passing game.

During the first three games of the season, Hill posted an efficiency rating of 74.28, completed 35.1% of his passes, and tossed one lonely touchdown. BYU opened the season 1-2 under that performance. Over the last five games however, the sophomore jumped to an efficiency rating of 157.11, completed an impressive 65.4% of his passes, and threw 11 touchdowns. Not surprisingly, the Cougars are 5-0 over that stretch.

Quarterbacks coach Jason Beck attributes his signal-caller's transformation to patience and staying calm under fire.

"He's very level-headed, he doesn't get caught up on nerves, and he really started all [those] games coming out playing well," said Beck about Hill's recent success. "A lot of time in the past, you had to ease quarterbacks into it so they calmed down, but he is pretty level-headed and focused with the positive or the negative, just keeping that same mind frame, working hard, and focusing on what [he] can control."

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The Badgers boast one of the stingiest defenses in the country, ranking No. 6 nationally in total defense by allowing a mere 286.1 yards per game with only 91 of those yards coming on the ground.

"Looking at film, yes, they will be the biggest challenge for us running backs at least," said Lasike when describing the strength of the Wisconsin defense. "Their linebackers are real physical. It will definitely be a test for us to see how we match up, but I'm confident that with the way we are playing right now, we will be able to take them head up."

A healthy Jamaal Williams is one weapon the Cougars will need to utilize in order to establish the run, take pressure off Hill, and open up the passing game. Williams says he's recovered from the hip pointer he suffered at Houston and used the bye week to return to full strength.

"This bye week was a tremendous help for me," said Williams when describing his physical condition. "I feel like I'm getting to full health and ready to play like usual like I've been doing. Hopefully I can just stay in there as long as I can to help my team win."

Even though this will be BYU's first game against a Big Ten opponent in 20 years, the Cougars have no fear entering Camp Randall and expect to return to Provo with a victory.

"They're just big -- nothing I haven't seen before," said Williams when describing Wisconsin. "Everybody we see is big, and I'm not scared. It's football. They're just another team for us. Not to disrespect or anything, but they're just another team for us to go out there and play football against, and it's just an opportunity for us to go out there and win."

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BYU plays at Wisconsin this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MST. Pregame coverage on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM starts that day at 11:30 a.m. A special edition of "Cougar Sports Saturday," live from Camp Randall Stadium, starts that day at 9:00 a.m.

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You can hear post-practice interviews with Tujague, Lasike, Beck, and Williams in "Cougar Cuts," top left.

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Jason Ludlow

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