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PROVO — It was supposed to be a tune-up game leading up to a Sept. 2 showdown with 13th-ranked LSU. However, the season-opener for BYU was anything but a tune-up game.
The Cougars sloshed their way to a 20-6 win over FCS opponent Portland State on Saturday afternoon at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Here are three observations from the season-opener for both schools.
BYU offense a no-show for majority of contest
Yes, you read that right. The BYU offense was nowhere to be found for a majority of the contest. BYU had 365 total yards offensively, but drive after drive they either stalled due to penalties or lack of execution.
If that isn't discouraging enough, Portland State had 14 first downs. That is one more than the BYU offense had. Tanner Mangum finished 16-of-27 for 194 yards and a touchdown and Squally Canada had 94 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, which are solid stats.
But you can't leave points on the field, and in the second half, that is what BYU did. Settling for field goals isn't going to win many games, especially with the gauntlet the Cougars face over the next three weeks.
Maybe it was to hold something back for the LSU game next Saturday. Maybe it wasn't. But one thing was lacking today, and that was the BYU offense.
Defense plays well, makes plays when needed
Sione Takitaki had two sacks and three tackles for loss in his first game since 2015, Zane Anderson had a fourth-quarter interception and the BYU defense held Portland State to just 220 total yards of offense.
Yes, the 17-play, 87-yard drive in the second quarter that resulted in the only points for the Vikings was tough to watch. However, with a lack of offense and being on the field for over 30 minutes of the contest, the BYU defense was solid.
The defense was playing without starting middle lineback Butch Pau'u, who is battling an injury. Get him healthy, and the defense will be even better.
Senior lineback Fred Warner had a stellar afternoon, recording 10 tackles (seven solo) and really forced the Portland State running backs inside. Warner will be a name to pay attention to throughout the season.
No more August games
It was hot. The students weren't in school yet, so the BYU ROC lacked its regular enthusiasm. The contest seemed like an open scrimmage. The band didn't do anything at halftime or before the game. It just seems like it was a bad idea to have this game.
Granted, it is great that college football is back, but sometimes, continuing to work hard and opening with a high-profile game against a nationally-ranked opponent is more ideal than a game against a team you should blow out of the building, especially in hot weather.
It is the first game of the season, so there are going to be adjustments to be made. BYU is better than it showed this afternoon, and head coach Kalani Sitake even acknowledged it in his postgame press conference. Whether or not Hurricane Harvey will impact next week's contest in Houston is yet to be seen. But the Cougars need a change to happen if they are to compete and possibly upset the 13th-ranked team in the nation in Week 2. Kyle McDonald is sports fan who loves the Chicago Cubs. Follow him on Twitter at @kylesportsbias
