BYU Football: The good, the meh, and the ugly
By Shaun Gordon
The Good
The season starts off on an unexpected note, at least according to Las Vegas and every local sports radio host. BYU travels down to Arizona and edges the Wildcats. The Cougars move the ball well against a poor Arizona defense, Tanner Mangum has a solid but unspectacular game, and BYU does just enough to slow down Khalil Tate for the Cougars to win by a field goal.
BYU comes home with confidence, and plays a similar game against Cal that they did against Arizona. The offense doesn’t look quite as good against an improved Golden Bears defense, but Cal’s offense isn’t nearly as explosive, and home field advantage works in BYU’s favor in a low-scoring game.
The Cougars trail throughout against Wisconsin, losing by two touchdowns, but return home and beat McNeese State handily.
The nation takes notice as BYU leads Washington in the third quarter, before the Huskies pull away late to win by 10.
Revenge game No. 1 goes to the Cougars as they keep Utah State at arm’s length throughout the game, and BYU’s game against Hawaii becomes a shootout, but the Cougars out-shoot the Rainbow Warriors in the end.
Northern Illinois comes to Provo and gives BYU their toughest test since Washington, but two late turnovers by the Huskies help the Cougars seal the win.
BYU’s luck runs out against Boise State, as the game turns into another shootout on the Smurf Turf. Boise State has more weapons in the end, and the Broncos outlast the Cougars.
Revenge game No. 2 is a tight game, but BYU holds off UMass in the home of the New England Patriots, and the Cougars return home and take care of business against New Mexico State.
And the streak is finally broken. In true Holy War fashion, the game comes down to the final drive, and Skyler Southam kicks the game-winning 53-yard field goal after Utah fans rush the field prematurely (again), putting the Cougars within Southam’s range.