Poinsettia Bowl 2012: Grading BYU and San Diego State's Performances

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In one of the ugliest games we may see all bowl season, BYU came out victorious in the San Diego County Poinsettia Bowl by a final score of 23-6.

Now it's report card time, and neither team should be too happy with their grades, although the BYU defense does have plenty to be proud of.

This meeting of old WAC/MWC "rivals" (hard to be a rival when BYU dominates the series 28-7-1) didn't look anything like the old conference games. In fact, it looked more like an ugly SEC game than anything else.

So, what were the game-day grades for both the Aztecs and the Cougars in this year's Poinsettia Bowl? Read on.

Quarterbacks

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James Lark and Riley Nelson, BYU: Overall Game Grade: D

Wasn't BYU supposed to be quarterback U?

Lark and Nelson together combined for 244 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Yikes.

 

Adam Dingwell, SDSU: Overall Game Grade: D

It really wasn't a great game for quarterbacks, period. 

Dingwell actually did a fair job of managing the game. But he fell apart right when the Aztecs needed him most, as he threw three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

Running Backs

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BYU Overall Game Grade: C-

The only reason the Cougar running backs get even that high of a grade is Jamaal Williams' touchdown run.

Otherwise, getting held to just 52 yards is just embarrassing.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: B+

Adam Muema found ways to break through that solid BYU defense time and time again, but he didn't get a single carry in the fourth quarter.

Still, 103 yards against a defense like BYU is something to be proud of. However, touchdowns would have been needed for an A grade.

Wide Receivers

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BYU Overall Game Grade: B-

The BYU receiving corps had their work cut out for them dealing with errant passes from both Lark and Nelson, but Cody Hoffman had a big day with 114 yards.

However, the fact that the ball hit him right in the numbers and turned into an interception lowers the grade a bit.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: D+

Did you know that only Dominique Sandifer had more than one reception? A lot of Aztec wide receivers dropped some very catch-able balls, particularly later in the game.

Poor QB play surely contributed, but it seemed like the Aztecs just gave up at the end.

Tight Ends

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BYU Overall Team Grade: B

Devin Mahina had a great 38-yard catch that put BYU in position for the end-of-the-half field goal, and Richard Wilson had a 5-yard catch, but that was it.

However, I lay that more on the quarterbacks and the offensive coordinator than the tight ends.

 

SDSU Overall Team Grade: C

You have a great tight end like Gavin Escobar and you pass the ball to him once?

It was a good 24-yard grab, but Escobar wasn't there when the Aztecs needed him.

Offensive Line

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BYU Overall Game Grade: F

BYU's offensive line failed to protect the quarterbacks and failed to open up lanes for the passing game.

BYU may have won this game, but I can't give this unit a passing grade in good conscience. They were confused and overmatched by the 3-3-5 defense, and couldn't stop the Aztecs from getting into the backfield.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: D+

Early on in the game, the offensive line was able to hold the BYU defense at bay. But then Kyle Van Noy tuned on beast mode and there just wasn't anything that the line could do to stop him.

They did open up holes for Adam Muema, but just didn't do enough to protect the quarterback when he needed it most.

Defensive Line

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BYU Overall Game Grade: A

Ezekiel Ansah showed us once again why he's got first-round draft potential, as he picked up an interception and forced a fumble.

Plus, the line opened up holes for Kyle Van Noy, but we'll get to him in a moment...

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: B

Although the defensive linemen didn't pick up a sack, this unit pretty much stuffed the running game and made the quarterbacks uncomfortable all game long.

The fact that BYU rushed for only 52 yards speaks volumes.

Linebackers

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BYU Overall Game Grade: A+

No doubt about it: Kyle Van Noy won this game for BYU.

Van Noy scored two touchdowns for the Cougars, which coincidentally was more than both offenses combined. One was on a fumble he both forced and recovered in the end zone, and the other was on an interception returned for a touchdown.

Add a blocked punt in there and 1.5 sacks and you really can't ask for anything more.

Oh, and to add to the fun, backup Alani Fua also got an interception on the night.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: B

The Aztec linebacker corps did hold the BYU offense at bay, but was the defense really that good or was BYU just that bad?

That's a conundrum to be sure.

Secondary

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BYU Overall Game Grade: B+

BYU gave up a few big plays, but also delivered some hard hits. Craig Bills was huge in this game with some good hard hits, and kept SDSU out of the end zone.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: A-

The secondary is key in a 3-3-5 scheme, and for the most part it worked against this BYU offense. They blitzed from just about every direction and they picked up three interceptions along the way.

King Holder had a big game with a sack, a pass breakup and an interception.

Special Teams

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BYU Overall Game Grade: A-

Riley Stephenson struggled a bit early, but he was able to pin SDSU inside their own 10-yard line five times.

Justin Sorensen missed an extra point, which holds this team back from a solid A.

 

SDSU Overall Game Grade: B-

There really wasn't much the Aztecs could do with Riley Stephenson's punts. Chance Marden was two-for-two, but his longest field goal on the night was just 27 yards.

Besides, SDSU lost the field position battle in the end and that's part of what doomed the Aztecs.

Coaching

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BYU Overall Grade: C

I hope Bronco Mendenhall realizes how fortunate he is to have won this game. He should not have allowed Riley Nelson to play in this game, and the offense was in shambles. Offensive coordinator Brandon Doman's play-calling was downright awful.

However, Mendenhall also called a good solid game as the defensive coordinator. 

 

SDSU Overall Grade: C-

Rocky Long had his defense ready for BYU, but the offense fell apart like tissue paper at the end of the game. The biggest mistake was the Aztecs' seeming to completely abandon the running game in the fourth quarter. That led to turnover after turnover.