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PROVO — BYU defeated UNLV 42-23 in front of 53,622 fans to secure its spot in the Miami Beach Bowl on a cold Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars officially accepted the bowl invite after the conclusion of the game, as only a home game against Savannah State and a road trip to the University of Cal-Berkeley remain.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall's team will play in the postseason for a 10th time since he became coach. Mendenhall owns a 6-3 bowl record.
BYU's Miami Beach Bowl opponent will be a team from the American Athletic Conference. Currently, Memphis, Cincinnati, UCF and East Carolina are all bowl eligible.
It's been a roller coaster ride that saw the Cougars climb into the Top 20 before injuries, coupled with some poor efforts, dropped them into the more obscure rankings near FBS teams considered average. They're shown progress integrating new players and will try to build momentum heading into the December visit to Florida.
Christian Stewart: The former walk-on and Snow College transfer's journey has arrived at dependable FBS starter status. No one knew how he would fill in for Taysom Hill, but he's clearly 100 percent confident as the leader under center now, and he continues to improve every week. "Just look at his body of work," Mendenhall said of Stewart. "He's really done a nice job. His completion percentage is high. His production is strong. His leadership is good. It's just a matter of continuing to increase the play around him."
Stewart's 325 yards and three passing touchdowns through three quarters were one of the main reasons BYU entered the final 15 minutes with a three-possession advantage that it maintained throughout the quarter. Mitch Mathews demonstrated why he's Stewart's go-to guy, and the Cougars' leading pass catcher, as he hauled in six balls for 120 yards and a touchdown. Stewart mixed it up, though, targeting Jordan Leslie often and completing passes to six other receivers.
Bronson Kaufusi: Apparently the junior is better suited to line up as a defensive end. In his third consecutive game with a sack, and second since he moved from outside linebacker, he recorded career highs in total tackles and solo tackles — with nine and eight — and tied his best effort with three tackles for loss. On top of that, he had two sacks. All were team bests.
Secondary: Kai Nacua got the nod despite original starter Dallin Leavitt playing almost as many snaps and tying Nacua for second on BYU with five tackles. Nacua and freshman Jordan Preator are making the most of their moments on the field. Nacua's interception and return halted the Rebels' early momentum and set the offense up in position to get points. He almost had a second pick to go with his five tackles, one tackle for loss and pass breakup. Preator led the team with three breakups — just better than Robertson Daniel's two. Most importantly, a combination of pressure on the Rebels quarterbacks and solid coverage that limited UNLV's best receivers to five catches apiece held the visitors to 204 passing yards and one touchdown.
Rushing attack: "It's what we're going to have to have," Mendenhall said after BYU racked up 267 yards on 41 carries (6.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. "They're all a little bit different styles." Adam Hine and Paul Lasike each had eight carries, with Lasike's bruising, physical mentality leading to two rushing touchdowns and 70 yards, while Hine's burst helped him gain 45 yards. Lateral passes accounted for a small portion of the total; Leslie's shifty 30-yard touchdown catch-and-run came on a backward pass, as did one of Lasike's scores that was set up by Algernon Brown's 25-yard carry. Stewart showed his ability to make the most of the space he's given with his elusiveness.
Pass rush: This group was relatively good compared to previous games, and what is more enticing is how much better it could become. Injuries have significantly weakened the front seven's depth, and yet a number of pass breakups were forced by near sacks. Graham Rowley's sack highlighted what, along with Kaufusi's performance, will be evident of some of the wins in the trenches, but the Cougars could've had more.
Offensive line: For the most part, this group was excellent. It wasn't complete. BYU hasn't always been stellar up front in recent seasons. However, the Cougars' core of experienced and young, talented big men clearing the way has the obvious potential to be a strength for this team. They gave Stewart all day to throw on the majority of his drop backs, and the blocking extended several plays that allowed receivers to make downfield receptions. The ground game's production wasn't great early, totaling 28 yards in the first quarter and 59 in the second. It was a different story in the second half, but if running lanes aren't developing against a Pac-12 opponent like Cal, it's unknown whether the passing attack can remain in such a rhythm.
Rush defense: Gaping holes kept UNLV close in the first half. Shaquille Murray-Lawrence's navigating on a 68-yard touchdown run did the most damage of the 199 yards surrendered, although at times the Rebels' line handled the Cougars' front seven.
Special teams: Scott Arellano's first punt was returned 31 yards and into BYU territory, which led to UNLV's field goal to open scoring. A muffed kickoff return followed the Rebels' first touchdown and later a muffed punt gave UNLV the ball in the red zone. "The number of balls we kick to different players all week long to prepare (made me think) we had that handled and I guess we didn't," Mendenhall said. A kickoff out of bounds cemented an unmemorable night for this unit.
Missed opportunities: Nacua's INT was returned to the UNLV 43-yard line and the Cougars couldn't manage to get into field goal range. Michael Alisa downed Scott Arellano's punt, after the BYU drive ended in a three-and-out, at the 1. Yet BYU gave up a first down on third and 10. The Cougars eventually put the Rebels away. They'll need to seize their chances if they want to win out.
