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BYU Football: Backfield pressure and two more keys to beating Utah State

By Shaun Gordon

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi #90 of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts to a defensive stop on running back J.J. Taylor #21 of the Arizona Wildcats during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 28-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi #90 of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts to a defensive stop on running back J.J. Taylor #21 of the Arizona Wildcats during the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 28-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 09: James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers avoids the tackle and runs upfield with the football during the first half of play against the BYU Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium on November 09, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 09: James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers avoids the tackle and runs upfield with the football during the first half of play against the BYU Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium on November 09, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

2 – Play Sound in the Secondary

This one goes hand in hand with backfield pressure. If BYU can contain Utah State through the air, they’ll put themselves in good position to win the game. Getting pressure on the quarterback is half of that equation.

The other half is playing assignment sound in the secondary.

You can’t fault the secondary too much in the Washington loss. When the quarterback has time to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner before making a throw the receivers are going to find a way to get open. Especially when the defense is playing a zone.

At the same time, the secondary had multiple miscues and miscommunications against the Huskies. Washington’s receivers were way too open way too often, and that’s just as much on the secondary as it is on the defensive line.

If Dyan Ghanwoloku and Zayne Anderson are able to play this week it’ll be a big shot in the arm for the Cougars. But either way, the secondary (and the linebacker corps) has to play much more assignment sound than they did against Washington.

BYU will (hopefully) learn from their mistakes against the Huskies and bring more pressure if the front four doesn’t produce on their own. If that’s the case, the secondary will have to be even more effective as they play more man defense.

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