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PROVO -- A lot of fans predicted a 1-1 record for BYU two games into the season, but not a lot of people predicted the slow start for the Cougars.
One of the most significant slow starts we've seen this year for BYU has been the wide receivers.
Of the 11 Cougars with receptions on the team so far this season, only four are wide receivers.
Redshirt Freshman Ross Apo leads the bunch with seven receptions for 86 yards, followed by Senior wide out Mckay Jacobson with 42 yards, and Cody Hoffman, and J.D. Falslev rounding it out with 20 yards a piece.
Despite the slow start, the receiving core is determined to get it together, and come on strong for this Cougar offense.
Ross Apo: Despite Apo being a freshman, he has amassed the most reception yards of all receivers, and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Apo has also marked the only two touchdown receptions for BYU's offense. The 6-3, 206-pounder only looks to improve as the season goes by.
"I think I'm up to pace right now. Now I gotta just play the game," said Apo. "Now I'm just running. I know the plays and I'm running, I can play how I usually play."
McKay Jacobson: Jacobson leads the core with seniority, and brings an interesting dynamic to the slot position with his way to get open. While he is yet to get a touchdown, Jacobson has five receptions for 42 yards, and looks to continue opening things up on the offensive side of the ball.
Cody Hoffman: After finishing such a strong season last year, Hoffman hasn't quite lived up to his potential yet this season with only 20 yards on three receptions. The 6-4, 208-pound sophomore gives a lot of reason for opposing teams' secondary to be worried. As long as Hoffman can get back into his groove, he will be the threat that Cougar fans saw glimpses of last season.
"Make big plays, when big plays are needed, and keep the team pumped up," said Hoffman on his goals this season. "I feel like I'm progressing better now that I know all the plays front and back."
JD Falslev: Since being at BYU, Falslev has always been kind of known to Cougar fans as dependable. Two of Falslev's three receptions so far this season have come on third down when the Cougars needed a first down and got it. At 5-8, Falslev looks to make plays with his speed, and continue to find the first down marker.
"The impatience last fall and the year before that really has helped me to push myself to always every day pay attention to what can I do to become better, what can I do to play championship football each and every day," said Falslev. "As long as I continue to work, I think I can be successful."
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
