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PROVO — BYU fans expected their Cougars would have a field day with in-state FCS opponent Weber State. But due to mistakes and miscues BYU had a tougher time than was expected.
"Slow start for #BYU against Weber State," wrote KSL NewsRadio's Andrew Adams. "Were the #Utes and Cougars looking ahead?"
That's a great question, but luckily for the Cougars they weren't facing a team nearly as solid as Utah State.
It took awhile before the BYU offense got its legs under them, but a 37-yard TD pass from Nelson to Hoffman got things rolling.
"Hoffman is just so smooth" tweeted ksl.com's Jarom Moore. "37-yard touchdown from Nelson just saw the ball floating and decided he wanted it more than Weber."
The pass from Nelson was a bit underthrown but Hoffman leapt in the air to make a nice grab over the Weber State defensive back.
"DB had a hard enough time keeping stride with Hoffman and forgot to jump for the ball!" wrote @taylorbhowe.
While the offense had its moments where they looked sharp it was the defense that stole the show and people couldn't help but praise them for not allowing a touchdown through six quarters of football.
"BYU defense has yet to allow a TD in the 2012 season" tweeted @caitlinjenne. "Keep it up Cougs!"
"BYU defense hasn't allowed a TD in just over 100 minutes of football" wrote @JaredrLloyd. "Last came by Tulsa with 10:42 left in the 4th in Armed Forces Bowl."
While all of that was true, it seems all of those tweets were just asking for trouble.
In the third quarter the Wildcats started moving the ball and running back Josh Booker found the end zone.
"It took 6 and 1/2 Quarters, but #BYU defense let up a touchdown," tweeted @ESPN700Andrew.
"BYU defense giving up their first TD," lamented @rkridley.
"And Weber State does what Pac 12 Wash State couldn't in four quarters, score a TD on BYU defense," tweeted the Deseret News' Dick Harmon.
While the Cougars gave up a touchdown they did manage to block the extra point and kept the Wildcats out of the end zone for most of the game. However, late in the fourth quarter Weber seemed to find some holes on the ground and eventually found the end zone again with under a minute to play.
"Run defense in 2nd half is a concern," tweeted @CougarFan.
Weber State put up a great fight, but overall they were outmatched, but one Wildcat stood out as a real bright spot.
"Well, if I were Jody Sears, I'd put Epperson in offensively. He can't do anything wrong today," tweeted @NathanD3.
Tony Epperson plays defense for the Wildcats and he also takes on the punting duties. Between kicking it an average of nearly 70-yards he also punished the BYU offense at times and even managed to kick a punt with his left foot.
"Tony Epperson is the most interesting man in Ogden. He doesn't always punt, but when he does, he prefers to dominate," tweeted @austinhorton.
Starting BYU QB Riley Nelson sat the entire second half and gave senior James Lark some reps. Lark made the most of the playing time and had a touchdown through the air and another on the ground.
Third string QB Taysom Hill had a chance to lead the Cougar offense on the field and the redshirt freshman was impressive.
"I keep reminding myself it's just Weber State," tweeted @TheDStauff. "I need to temper my extreme excitement for 3 years of Taysom Hill as starting QB."
Hill ran strong and threw the ball well. The young QB ran for more than 40 yards and recorded a two rushing TD's as well.
"And that's two touchdowns for Pocatello's finest! Hooray for highland highs Taysom Hill," tweeted @nicknewman801.
The game might give Weber State fans some hope and will likely make BYU fans a little nervous.
Next up for Weber State is McNeese State in Ogden and BYU heads to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes in the Holy War.
