BYU football: Three costly Cougar plays against ECU

BYU football’s disappointing showing against ECU may very well boil down to just a handful of head-scratching plays.

I’m well aware that coaches preach games are never won or lost on a single play. Many variables determine an outcome.

I also acknowledge that in every game, there are two or three pivotal moments. These can change the face of the game, and ultimately help decide the winner.

BYU fooball’s contest with East Carolina this Saturday, was no exception. Here are three plays that turned the tide in the Pirates’ favor.

Play No. 1: “The Momentum Killer”

With just minutes remaining in the first half, Mangum and the Cougar offense was rolling. On second down and six from the ECU seven-yard line, a decision to bring in Austin Kafentzis was made.

Granted, there was a five-yard gain that put BYU football on the two yard-line. However, now a predicable two-read option was coming on third down that would lead to being stopped short of the first down. BYU football would then settle for a mere three points.

Instead of going into halftime with a 14-10 lead, the game was tied with the coming kick-off going to ECU.

I’m not positive on who made the decision to put Kafentzis in the game, but it was completely unnecessary. If a change of pace, or a spark was needed, then fine. But they were moving the ball.

There’s no reason to think that they wouldn’t have put in the end zone. Somebody got too cute, and it cost the team four points and control over the game. In addition to this, something else was squandered.

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Nobody needed that score more than Tanner Mangum. For his confidence and development, it was essential for him to finish that drive.

Play No. 2: “The Heartbreaker” 

After a big play where Mangum hit Aleva Hifo for a 41-yard gain, the Cougars found themselves on the Pirate 28-yard line. ECU held the Cougars and forced them to kick a field goal. To their credit, it was a legitimate defensive stand.

This 41-yard attempt sailed wide-left, leaving another three points off the board. To have such a huge gain and be within the 30-yard line and come up with nothing, was just demoralizing.

Play No. 3: “The Nail in the Coffin”

During the beginning of the fourth quarter, BYU football once again was in striking distance. With first and goal on the Pirate four-yard line. Scoring looked like a sure bet.

On this play, Mangum rolled right, couldn’t find an open receiver, and ran out of bounds at the nine-yard line. This was the exact predicament that the Cougars could not allow themselves to fall into.

Instead of having four plays to go five yards, now they had three plays to go nine. The play call was simply the wrong choice.

In this situation, it’s imperative to avoid giving up a sack. This is done by running the ball between the tackles, or calling a pass play that gets the ball out of the hands of the quarterback quickly.

In a game of ups and downs, it’s opportunities like these that BYU football must be take advantage of. Success hinges on tiny decisions, and unfortunately, so does failure.