BYU football: Three positive takeaways from Cougars’ 2017 season

With two weeks removed from the end of BYU football’s 2017 season – and bowl season about to begin – it’s time to look back on some of the positives.

BYU football’s 2017 season wasn’t what anyone thought it’d be. In a year that began with hype and 10-win expectations, things finished so unceremoniously. Almost with relief.

Phew, glad I don’t have to watch any more BYU football.

And that’s sad for a program with such a rich history and storied tradition. But, thankfully, that’s over with, and now we can start looking ahead.

But before we begin 2018 projections, let’s take once last glance back and see if there are any diamonds in the rough.

The Emergence Of Matt Bushman

Way back at the spring game, freshman tight end Matt Bushman turned heads with a standout performance. Fans were cautiously optimistic, unsure of the role Bushman would have in 2017. But after fellow tight end Moroni Laulu-Pututau was lost for the season, things opened up for Bushman in a big way.

And full credit to him, he made the very most of his opportunities.

The 6-foot-5 tight end from Arizona hauled in 49 passes for 520 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the go-to target for just about every quarterback who threw a pass this season.

Beyond leading the Cougars in receptions (by 12), receiving yards (by 83) and touchdowns (tied with Micah Simon), Bushman had one of the best freshman seasons in BYU tight end history.

In terms of receiving yardage, Bushman really sticks out.

Dennis Pitta finished his freshman season with 176 yards. Chad Lewis finished with 172. Clay Brown, Gordon Hudson and Chris Smith all combined for a whopping zero yards. So Bushman’s 520 may be a sign of things to come.