BYU Football: Airing it out and two more keys to beating Boise State
By Shaun Gordon
2 – Protect Zach Wilson
Last week freshman quarterback Zach Wilson spent the majority of the game running for his life. The offensive line continuously allowed the Husky defense into the backfield, resulting in five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Both numbers would have been much higher if Wilson wasn’t good at escaping pressure. However, the freshman is a more accurate passer from the pocket, and he’ll need that accuracy against Boise State.
The line wasn’t much good at opening holes in the running game either, but it’s the passing game that will determine the offensive effectiveness on the Smurf Turf, not the run game.
Wilson isn’t completely blameless when it comes to last Saturday’s sacks, though. Multiple times he held on to the ball too long, resulting in coverage sacks that could have been avoided.
He has to improve that internal timing and get rid of the ball quicker, but the offensive line has to give him more time, too.
Wilson’s not afraid to pass the ball downfield, but those are the passes that require time. If the Cougars can’t connect on at least a few big passing plays against the Broncos there will be stalled drive after stalled drive once again.
And the offensive line will be key in letting those big plays develop.