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BYU Football: A fast start and two more keys to beating Hawaii

By Shaun Gordon

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Tight end Matt Bushman #89 of the Brigham Young Cougars scores a 24 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of 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: Tight end Matt Bushman #89 of the Brigham Young Cougars scores a 24 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of 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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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) /

3 – Get Backfield Pressure

This may sound like a broken record, but if BYU can’t find a way to get consistent pressure in the backfield and disrupt the quarterback they’ll continue to struggle.

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That’s especially true against Hawaii, who features one of the best passing attacks in the country. They’re No. 11 in the nation with 322.3 passing yards per game.

Star quarterback Cole McDonald is expected to play against the Cougars, and if he has time in the pocket he will burn BYU badly. He’s No. 3 in the country in passing yards, averaging just more than 350 yards through the air each game.

Hawaii averages 38.4 points per game, and they’ll score more than that unless the Cougars can disrupt the offense. BYU doesn’t have to get a ton of sacks to be effective, but they do have to make the quarterback throw the ball early and keep him out of rhythm.

They haven’t been able to do that with the defensive line alone so far this year. And defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki has been hesitant to bring any pressure from the linebackers or secondary.

That hesitation allowed Washington and Utah State to walk all over BYU’s defense, and Hawaii will do the same unless Tuiaki changes up the game plan.

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