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The BYU Cougars started the 2012 college football season with a 30-6 victory over Washington State at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Here are some initial thoughts...
-The BYU offense played well for the first game of the season. Riley Nelson was very effective. The running game was solid. There are still things to work on, but you would expect that so early in the year. Blue-zone offense needs some work. There were too many opportunities inside the 10 yard line that ended up in field goal attempts instead of touchdowns.
-The BYU defense stepped up to the challenge. With all the hype about Marquess Wilson (deservedly so), the BYU secondary held him to just 61 yards.
-Taysom Hill's legend has already begun. His first collegiate play was an 18 yard touchdown pass to Kaneakua Friel.
-Even though it's the first game, there were too many unnecessary penalties.
-Michael Alisa is more than ready for the workload
-Skyler Ridley was an unexpected playmaker. He finished the night with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also proved he was tough. He got hammered a few times and still held onto the football.
-Starting Kaneakua Friel at tight end was definitely the right move. He finished the night with six catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
-Luckily BYU didn't need Cody Hoffman, but it will be important to get him healthy after suffering a quad contusion.
