BYU Football: Final Report Card for the Cougars in 2018

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BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Zach Wilson #11 of the BYU Cougars throws a pass during second half action against the Western Michigan Broncos at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 21, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. BYU won the game 49-18. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Offense

Quarterback – B-

BYU’s combined pass efficiency from their quarterbacks was 137.4, which sits right in the middle of the pack. Yards per game and total passing yards were below average, but that’s mainly due to offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ aversion to passing early in the season.

But the quarterbacks did a good job of spreading the wealth and only threw seven interceptions, which are both positives.

And you have to give an extra tick on the grade for Wilson’s perfection in the bowl game.

Running Back – C+

The Cougars didn’t run the ball well in 2018, but they ran it better than they did in 2017. BYU only averaged 153.2 yards per game, which is bottom-half of the FBS. Their 4.1 yards per carry weren’t great either.

To their credit, though, they overcame injuries and had a next-man-up attitude. Five different backs averaged at least four yards per rush, and few people would have expected Matt Hadley to excel or Riley Burt to help the team to a bowl win.

Wide Receiver – B-

BYU’s quarterbacks spread the wealth this season, completing passes to 15 different players. Eight of them were wideouts. Those eight accounted for 1,504 yards (54.6% of all receiving yards) and 12 touchdowns.

That’s not a great total, and no one established themselves as a go-to wideout. But at least there weren’t nearly as many drops as there were in 2017.

Tight End – B+

The three pass-catching tight ends combined for 866 yards and four touchdowns, and Matt Bushman led all Cougars with 511 receiving yards. Moroni Laulu-Pututau would have been among the top as well had he not missed the final two-thirds of the season with injury.

Bushman is a human highlight reel and one of the best receiving tight ends in the country. He’s still a liability in blocking situations, which kept him off the field too much.

Offensive Line – C

The offensive line had their good games and their bad ones. But they couldn’t consistently open things up for the rushers, which didn’t mesh well with Jeff Grimes’ desire to create a power run game. They also gave up 29 sacks for 204 yards.

But the very young line had their moments of dominance, including their season-opening win at Arizona and their giant upset of No. 6 Wisconsin.

Overall Grade – C+

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