Lessons from last year's matchup between BYU and UConn


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PROVO — The BYU Cougars had a rough outing last week in Ann Arbor as the Michigan Wolverines completely shut them down. The Cougars walked away from the Big House licking their wounds as they were shut out 31-0. This is a new week and a new month for BYU as they get ready to face an opponent they know a little better.

BYU will face off against the UConn Huskies Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a rematch from last year's opener in Storrs, Connecticut. Last year the Huskies were no match for Taysom Hill and the BYU offense as the Cougars beat UConn 35-10 and Hill threw for 308 and three touchdowns. The former starting QB also added 97 yards on the ground and two more TDs.

So, what can we learn from last year's game against the Huskies and Cougars as well look forward to Friday? We can learn that these two teams are different from last year.

QB play

Both the Huskies and Cougars are starting new QBs behind center this Friday. Last year Hill had a big day for BYU and UConn played two QBs, Casey Cochran and Chandler Whitmer. Neither had an impressive night.

This year the Cougars have freshman Tanner Mangum, who's had some impressive games, but looked like a freshman last week in Michigan. The Huskies are starting sophomore Bryant Shirreffs.

Shirreffs is having an OK season as he's thrown for 847 yards, four TDs and one interception and led UConn to a two-and-two start.

Both QBs have had some great moments and also some rough moments.

The biggest discrepancy going into this game as opposed to last year's match up is the absence of Taysom Hill.

Tanner Mangum (Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)
Tanner Mangum (Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)

Rushing game

Last year the Cougars had a solid day on the ground, amassing 205 yards and two TDs. Remember, however, that 97 of those yards and both TDs came courtesy of Taysom Hill.

On the other end of the field BYU gave up just 71 yards on the ground. BYU's rush defense has been exposed the past couple of weeks, but UConn doesn't pose the same ground threat as Michigan or UCLA.

UConn's leading rusher, Arkeel Newsome, has 153 yards on the season and averages 4.8 per carry. Newsome played in the game last year and had just three carries for 10 yards. His longest was seven yards.

Shirreffs can toss the ball around the field, but if BYU can stuff the run like they did last year it will force UConn to beat them through the air, and BYU's defensive backs have played well enough this year to keep the game in their favor.

Experience

When the Cougars and Huskies met last year it was the first game for both teams. This year they're meeting in week five. Both teams have shaken off the rust (we hope) and have a better idea of their identities than last year.

UConn, no doubt, knew that Taysom Hill was good going into last year's game, but they didn't know how much he'd improved. This year they have plenty of film on Mangum and know what they need to do to try and stop him.

Both teams are currently boasting a .500 record headed into Friday night's game and a win could set their season back on course.

Game time

Kickoff between the Cougars and Huskies is scheduled for 8:15 pm MDT at LaVell Edwards Stadium.


John has been writing about movies, news, sports and pretty much anything awesome for more than five years. John is the co-host of the Flix Junkies podcast and will always entertain you with his stories.

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