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Report Card: BYU’s “Go Fast Go Hard” Offense Against UConn

By Danny Holmgren

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Last week here at Lawless Republic we gave our readers a detailed explanation of BYU’s “Go Fast Go Hard” (GFGH) offensive scheme and why it is the perfect offense for BYU. Each week, we will provide a report card assessing how GFGH worked in each previous game. We begin with Friday night’s 35-10 victory of UConn.

OFFENSIVE LINE: A

While an offensive report card typically begins by assessing the play of the quarterback, we’ll begin this week by giving a “A” to the Cougar offensive line. Perhaps the biggest question mark coming into the season, it was obvious that the offensive line has grown in both stature and maturity. Props go out to Coach 2J and Coach Anae for getting the hogs ready to get dirty in the trenches. One of the biggest struggles with GFGH last year was the lack of pass protection provided to QB Taysom Hill. GFGH requires quarterback to quickly be able to read defenses and move through passing progressions. Often Hill ran so much or made ill-advised passes due to lack of time in the pocket. On Friday night, the complete opposite occurred. UConn has virtually no pass rush that was able to get to Hill and the Cougars allowed just one sack.

Despite the experience returning up front, BYU did actually start two freshmen. Tejan Koroma at center and left tackle Ului Lapuaho both got their first starts and were praised by Taysom Hill, who said, “The freshmen offensive linemen played great. I have to look at the film, but for a first game, they did a great job.”

Any time that your offense is able to roll up over 500 yards of offense and win by 25 points, you have to be pleased with the big boys up front.

Aug 29, 2014; East Hartford, CT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) looks for an opening against the Connecticut Huskies during the first quarter at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK: A+

Taysom was nothing short of terrific Friday night. Though nobody doubted that his tree-trunk-sized legs could move up and down the field, his 57% passing completion percentage in 2013 left room for improvement, to say the least. Even playing without two of his top receivers, Taysom slung the ball around with precision, completing 78% of his passes for 308 yards and 3 TDs. Most importantly, Hill didn’t turn the ball over at all. When he was called upon to run the ball, he ran quickly and decisively. Unlike 2013, Hill showed great maturity in sliding to avoid contact on several occasions. He showed the speed and elusiveness that we saw against Texas and Houston last year on several runs, including a nifty 26 yard scamper in the 4th quarter.

The nearly flawless opening game performance by Hill showed him accounting for all five BYU touchdowns and spawning some national #Hill4Heisman discussion.

BYU RB Adam Hine scores a TD against UConn. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK: C-

Fortunately for BYU, Taysom Hill’s nearly 100 yard/2TD rushing performance helped cover the loss of Jamaal Williams, because the rushing game was largely non-existent otherwise. Paul Lasike, Alge Brown, and Adam Hine combined for just 99 yards and no touchdowns.

Brown performed the best of the three, rushing for 49 yards on 9 carries. He did have a critical fumble, though, in a difficult third quarter for the Cougars. Lasike and Hine looked a step slow all game, as they were unable to find their way through a hole all game.

Williams will be a welcome and necessary return for the Cougars against Texas, after being suspended for the UConn opener.

WIDE RECEIVER: B

All the talk about the new receiving corp of Blackmon, Leslie, and Kurtz will have to wait at least another week to manifest itself as the UConn game was largely dominated on the receiving end by returning players Mitch Mathews, Terenn Houk, and RBs Brown, Lasike, and Hine.

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Mathews looks even faster, stronger, and more precise in his route running than in years past. Mathews 1st-quarter 26-yd TD catch was a huge momentum swing for BYU. After having taken the opening kickoff down the field for a TD, the defense forced a UConn fumble on the Huskies’ first offensive play from scrimmage. Hill found Mathews as his second option on a post. Mathews beat the safety up the seam and Hill’s rocket landed right in Mathews hands and gave BYU a 14-0 lead just 5-1/2 minutes into the game.

Terenn Houk had a solid game with four catches, including a 35-yard catch and run from Hill with just over a minute before halftime. On the play Houk showed his speed moving up the left sideline and nifty footwork and he tiptoed the sideline for the last five yards before diving into the end zone for six. Perhaps lost in the names of over BYU receivers during fall camp, Houk looks to have potential to be a solid contributor.

A surprising newcomer to the mix with Mitch Juergens, who looks like a slightly stronger, faster version of JD Falsev. Juergen had two catches in the slot and a rush on an end around that showed his speed and shiftiness. While not on the stat sheet, Juergens also showed off an impressive 40+ yard catch and run play that was called back due to penalty.

Jordan Leslie had a quiet game, registering just 22 yards on 2 catches, though both were for first downs. Look for Leslie to see more touches in future games.

I give the receivers a B due to a critical fumble by Mathews that led to UConn’s only points as well as a lack of deep passes.

Aug 29, 2014; East Hartford, CT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (4) reacts after a touchdown by wide receiver Mitch Mathews (10) against the Connecticut Huskies during the second quarter at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

TIGHT END: D

Non existent. Devin Mahina registered one catch for eight yards in the game. To my recollection, that was the only TE target in the whole game. In a typical GFGH scheme, the TE can be an important pass catching factor in the offense, adding just another wrinkle that defenses have to cover.

COACHING: A-

Coach Mendenhall and Anae put together a very effective game plan. The Cougars ran close to 20 fewer plays (73) than their goal, the plays were effective and kept drives moving. One weak spot in the offensive play calling last year was in the Red zone, BYU was 2-3 in the red zone on Friday night. With the exception of one drive that stalled inside the UConn 10-yard line after three unsuccessful passes (including two bad fade routes) the play calling was solid.

Next week will be a much tougher test as BYU takes GFGH on the road to Austin, Texas to face the University of Texas Longhorns.

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