UNLV Post Game Wrap-up

We all left the stadium nodding in agreement that our team, while good, is going to have to fight tooth and nail the remainder of the season. A lot of credit needs to be given to these up-and-coming UNLV Rebels. They have been tested and proven and their team is becoming one that could earn some bowl games appearances.

In comparing last weeks loss and this weeks win their are a few things that stick out in my mind.

BYU made plays early, which gave the Cougars the emotional edge throughout the game. We also involved more people and forced the UNLV defense to play an “honest” game. On the defensive side of the ball we made crucial plays in order to escape with a win. I say “escape” because for some reason we tried as hard as we could to give UNLV every opportunity to win the game.

Offense

The offense was at times very efficient. What I didn’t like was the fact that we didn’t throw the haymaker left hook to knock the head off the Running Rebels. Instead we let them hang around and believe they could beat us. In all, the statistical data was fairly even. UNLV even out passed us.

UNLV Rushing - 31 attempts for 112 yards
BYU Rushing - 34 attempts for 209 yards

UNLV Passing - 351
BYU Passing - 245

UNLV Total Yardage - 75 plays 463 yards
BYU Total Yardage - 66 plays 454 yards

That’s enough statistical crap. Lets get to how each position group played.

Offensive line

Looking at the statistics you can see that our line performed very well. They exploded off the line and provided our backs with gaping holes to run through. The big nasties did a great job of sealing off the linebackers and getting to the second level of the defense. This allowed our running backs gains of 6-10 yards instead of three yards and a cloud of dust. They also gave Max ample time in the pocket and when the receivers were covered, Max was able to find running lanes for positive yardage.

This was the first game I noticed how good Matt Reynolds really is. He has great feet and body position and when he gets in the open field against line backers and defensive backs he munches them up like Pac-man. He also continues to protect Max’s blind side in passing situations, which means he is matched up against the defense’s best pass rusher. Well done middle Reynolds, well done.

As a side note - This game was the first time where physically our offensive line’s bellies were matched in diameter and volume. There were some seriously voluptuous figures on the field yesterday.

Running Backs

I thought Harvey would have a big day and he did. Coach Anae came into this game wanting to establish a running game and he made a statement. Harvey had 19 rushes for 84 yards and Fu-Manchu had a great day with 72 yards on 9 carries. I hope this is a turning point for the BYU offense to consistantly churn out great performances from these two Tongans.

It was especially satisfying to see Fui in good form. He looks like he has regained his speed from 2006 and is finally back to full strength. Our backs are better than the statistics show. Our running backs haven’t been given the chances they need to make a defense shutter in fear. Today they did and CSU didn’t like what they saw.

I would also like to see these two get more involved in the passing game. Fui had a TD catch and Harvey had a couple of catches out of the backfield, but we need them to turn  into the players Manase and Curtis were. If we can establish this part of our offense as well as the down field passing scheme, it will add a much needed dimension that can alleviate some of the pressure on Max.

Receivers (Tight Ends included)

Austin continues to prove that he is the go-to-guy for our offense. He ended his day with 7 receptions and 113 yards. He also provided a needed boost on special teams; nearly returning UNLV’s initial kick-off for a TD.

In the first couple of possessions Max used Dennis Pitta and Andrew George, but as the game wore on he threw less and less their way. Mike Reed had a decent day, but he isn’t playing as well as he did in the first 4 games of this season. His routes look sloppy and he isn’t making sharp cuts to create space so he can catch the ball.

I also had to do a double take when I saw Mr. Chambers catch his first BYU touchdown. I thought it was Mike for a second. Let’s hope it’s the first of many to come.

Quarterback

Max was 24-31 with zero interceptions. He came close to being picked a couple of times, but UNLV couldn’t come up with the ball. By the way - i-backs play action with Austin on a deep route doesn’t work anymore. Let’s retire that play for a few weeks.

Max showed improvement in the way he got rid of the ball quickly and threw the ball on time to his receivers. He also did a good job of tucking the ball and running when nothing was open. I even think I saw a flash of an athleticism from Max today. Although he did get out run by a linemen on that end around to Collie.

It was good to see Max take what the defense gave him. Coach Anae also concentrated on the running game, which took a little pressure off of Max’s shoulders. He threw accurate balls and didn’t throw interceptions. In a game where BYU rushed for over 200 yards we couldn’t have asked for a better quarterback performance.

Defense

Teams have found our soft spots and they are now working those spots to their benefit. Gone are the days of power football with a hat on a hat. From Saturday on the Cougars will be playing against four and five receiver formations. Our coverages and our defensive pressure needs to improve if we are going to make stops on third down.

I am honestly looking for positive things to say. Our defense just didn’t make enough plays to separate themselves as the better team. Teams know who they need to attack and are executing plays that match up their offensive speed against our smarts and the speed has been making more plays.

I also questioned some of the defensive calls. I didn’t want to, but I just missed the point of bringing certain blitzes in third and short situations. It gave UNLV the chance to get the ball off quick with our DB’s aligned too deep.

Defensive Line

This group did the job, holding the Rebel Tank to 33 yards. Despite being somewhat banged up they preformed well. It was particularly satisfying to hear a few other names over the load speaker as Matt Putnam and Mosesa Foketi made some good plays. Since Jan’s break-out season teams have taken notice and they have devoted more people to making sure that Jan does not single handedly control the line of scrimmage.

We needed our DE’s to play the run well and they did. For the most part they kept the quarterback contained and they stayed in their rush lanes.

Where could this group improve? They need to find ways to win their one on one match-ups when our defensive backs are in man coverage. Our Corners and safeties need the D-linemen to get pressure on the quarterback and disrupt the quarterbacks timing. We didn’t get enough consistent pressure to say that these big fellas dominated. Let’s just say the played the run well…. and stop there.

It was a solid performance that will have to improve if we are going to limit offenses passing efficiency and yardage.

Linebackers

Shawn Doman and Colby Clawson played well. Nixon needs to heal-up so he can again put pressure on the quarterback. That is what we are missing this year. Our defense is missing a middle backer that rushes the quarterback like a bat out of hell. Matt Bauman is a solid defender, but he hasn’t controlled the middle like our defense needs.

I wouldn’t say that this group shined, but they kept the ball in front of them and fought throughout the game.

Where this group needs to improve is in their coverage of the third receiver to the strong side and the second receiver to the weak side. UNLV used this match-up to move the ball down the middle of the field. Also in short yardage situations they need to expand their zones, pushing outward to cover the receiver who is “banging” away from them. This is a tough concept, but if we are going to stop teams in third down situations we will need to be better.

Defensive Backs

First and foremost I would like to comment on Andrew Rich’s toughness. He knocked out a UNLV’s receiver and himself, stumbled off the field. On his way to the sideline he found his wits and came back in when his team needed him. He’s going to be a good player.

I also thought Brandon Bradley played well. He is still a situation corner, but after his performance it is going to be hard to keep him off the field.

We installed a man coverage scheme this week. It is a good start. Our corners and safeties need to get used to playing more man to man. I think as we use this coverage more our timing and understanding will get better and we will see more and more balls being knocked down.

There were a few things that concerned me.

1. The amount of times our coverage broke down late and gave up long passes. Our DB’s didn’t plaster to the receivers running through their zones and they couldn’t close out the space while the ball was in the air. This is in part due to their position behind the receiver, so lets work on getting on the receivers hip so we won’t have to close out as much space. ah.
2. When our corners and safeties get a chance to make a play. MAKE IT! Don’t squander your opportunities for interceptions or big hits. They don’t come to often.
3. With David Tafuna getting hurt and Rich knocking himself out on receivers it leaves more responsibility on Kellen Fowler and Co. It is time to see who is going to step up and take charge when the chips are down. Kellen has done an adequate job, but with more teams testing our secondary, we need players that are going to make plays -alla Brandon Bradely.
4. We need more turnovers. Fumbles, interceptions etc. We need them big time bad.

We continued to show sign of struggling with speed. Teams are spreading us out and forcing our perimeter players to make plays one on one. Our edge players need to be better at beating a block and making a tackle. Tafuna did a good job early, but as the game got closer their experienced receivers started getting the best of our edge defenders. STOP GETTING CUT. You will never make a play on the ground. There isn’t away to teach speed, but BYU defenders can speed themselves up with early recognition of formations. Making quick and decisive decisions, playing with crazy effort and most of all preparation. Our defense needs to get in with the Coaches watch film, especially paying attention to the small details.

Special Teams

It would have been a prefect special teams preformance, but Sorenson kicked the ball out of bounds twice. This put the UNLV offense in great position to drive the ball down the field and score points. We can’t expect to kick the ball out of bounds each week and not continue to get burned. Let’s forget about deep left and just let Sorenson kick the crap out of the ball.

It was awesome to see Bryan Karyia hurling himself at the the personal punting shield. That job isn’t for the faint of heart. It was an exciting play and set us up with great field position. Bryan also came down the field on the kick-off cover team and made a huge hit. Mark my words this kid is going to make a lot of plays as a Cougar.

Austin and O’neal also did a great job returning kick-offs. Austin had one huge return and was one step away from a couple of others. Chambers showed some athleticism, jumping over a defender. But he got stuck by the next defender - so it was bitter sweet.

A few good things to remember:

• Our team is developing the identity of a team that wins the close games. A few years ago this wasn’t the case. We have turned the corner and no longer miss opportunities when the game is on the line. Block a field goal, intercept a ball, get a sack or drive the ball down the field and punch in the go ahead TD and two point coversion. Our Cougars have turned into a team that can preform under pressure. This “cool” will be needed because the rest of the season is going to be close.
• The team has changed their practice habits and are working with a more focused determination. This means that BYU will be better prepared for the tough road games coming up.
• Winning is never easy especailly when one side of the ball plays mediocre. Improvements can be made and confidence can be built, but making enough plays to win games isn’t easy.
• I hope the Cougars rung the victory bell a few extra times, took a deep breath. Monday and Tuesday is going to be important as we prepare for a CSU team that needs to win.