The defense only allowed 13 points. Jay Hill had an inspiring moment at LaVell Edwards’ place. BYU got its first win in almost 10 months.
Not a bad week, right?
True, BYU got almost everything it needed to out of its season opener.
But the one concern that should still linger in Provo is stopping the quarterback run game. Southern Illinois QB DJ Williams ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns on BYU’s defense. He’s a good player. But 120-plus yards from any quarterback on the ground should raise some questions.
Defensive ends coach Kelly Poppinga diagnosed the problem as a tackling and run fit issue at times. He said on Williams’ 38-yard touchdown, edge rusher Isaiah Bagnah didn’t get underneath a block to force the ball to bounce to the outside. On other runs, he said there were missed open-field tackles.
That could make some BYU fans wince — missed tackles and missed assignments have been a theme of BYU’s defenses the last few seasons.
“At the end of the day, quarterbacks are going to keep running if we are not tackling,” Poppinga said. “And we got to be able to tackle these guys low and make them question whether this is something they want to continue to do.”
It’d be less concerning if BYU’s next opponent wasn’t SMU, a program that can really run the ball at the quarterback spot. That is especially true with Kevin Jennings — SMU’s dynamic backup quarterback who is averaging nearly 10 yards a carry.
On a short week, BYU needs to get it fixed. Or the Mustangs will have their way on offense.
The Big Thing
It was arguably Jake Retzlaff’s most impressive touchdown of the night — a 19-yard laser to tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase as pressure caved in.
But the more impressive note for BYU’s long-term outlook was who caught it rather than who threw it.
New BYU tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride has been trying to expand the versatility of his position group within the offense this year. He thought BYU got predictable last year when it brought in certain tight ends. Teams could almost telegraph what was coming whenever Ta’ase or Ray Paulo got in the game. It hurt the offensive production as a whole.
But this play showed some growth. A year ago, BYU never used Ta’ase as a downfield, true route-running tight end. It was all short-game stuff.
Look at Pro Football Focus’ stats. He had two targets, both little dump-offs, for a total of 4 yards.
(Pro Football Focus) BYU tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase passing chart in 2023
Now in one game, BYU used him for a 19-yard touchdown route to give Retzlaff an option down the field.
With the tight ends being more adaptable, it can open up more options for offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. He even used a 14-personnel package on Saturday (four tight ends). That’s different than last year, and gives BYU some more ways to move the ball.
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Fourth Down
1. Two sacks, but was it enough?
BYU got the quarterback twice on Saturday. John Nelson had a sack and so did Bagnah. But did it change my perspective on the pass rush this season? No, not really. The concern for me is that Tyler Batty — the man supposed to be anchoring this pass rush — didn’t even record a tackle so much as a sack. He played 27 snaps, so that could have played into it. We will see how BYU fares against SMU.
Some were concerned that LJ Martin wouldn’t be available to start the season when fall camp started. Well, his shoulder looked just fine. He had 13 carries, 67 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving). It’s a promising start. Now, we have to see the explosiveness he said he worked on all offseason by putting on 20 pounds.
Lassiter didn’t play on Saturday due to an NCAA waiver issue. In order to get his extra year of eligibility, the NCAA forced him to sit out the first game. It was to give back the one game he played in junior college, head coach Kalani Sitake. Weird stuff. But he will be ready for SMU.
Hill is expected to call the defense against SMU after suffering a heart attack last Thursday. He was back to work on Monday and ready to travel with the team to Dallas one week after his cardiac episode.
— That’s it from me! Talk to you after Dallas.