In this weekly BYU Explosive Stats column, we dig into the Cougars' box scores and explore the statistical insights that help us understand what's working -- and what's not working -- in Provo. We break the "explosive" stats down by firecracker (a little explosive), hand grenade (explosive), and atomic bomb (massively explosive). Here we go!
Firecracker: Kicker Matthias Dunn went 2-for-2 on field goals
College field goal kicking is usually an unpredictable adventure. BYU fans have been spoiled in recent years with the consistent excellence of Will Ferrin. But Ferrin ain't walking through that door, and Matthias Dunn is now BYU's kicker.
Football games are often decided by kickers, and Dunn had a shaky start.
In BYU's first game against Utah Tech, Dunn missed his first college field goal attempt when he pushed a 47-yard attempt wide. After not attempting a field goal the following week against Arizona, he drilled both of his attempts against Colorado State, including a 44-yarder.
That's a good sign for the Cougs.
Hand grenade: BYU's defense had zero sacks
The Cougars' lack of a pass rush continues to be the one stat that could derail this season.
Against Colorado State BYU had zero sacks despite the Rams losing starting quarterback Hauss Hejny after just 10 passing attempts. Backup Darius Curry lasted just eight passing attempts before getting injured. Third stringer K'saan then attempted 23 passes.
CSU had 42 pass attempts. BYU had zero sacks. The Cougars imposed their will on both sides of the ball in almost every other category, but the defensive front four continues to struggle getting their hands on the quarterback.
While BYU has a collection of talented defensive ends and edge rushers, none of them have emerged as a consistent terror off the edge. It's easy to see individual greatness in players like Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin, Legend Glasker, Cade Uluave, Isaiah Glasker, and Faletau Satuala. When you see greatness, you know it. And greatness often is the difference between winning and losing.
BYU has yet to identify greatness off the edge, and it feels like that is going to be a major problem at some point down the road.
Atomic Bomb: 332 rushing yards
BYU ran wild against the Rams and this wasn't just because of the greatness of running back LJ Martin and quarterback Bear Bachmeier's ability to tuck it and run. Yes, these two players are outstanding, but the credit for BYU's mind-boggling 332 rushing yards goes to the offensive line.
Now, LJ Martin was insane with 15 carries for 176 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per carry, before getting shut down around halftime due to BYU's early insurmountable lead. But beyond LJ, true freshman Journee Tonga had 10 carries for 91 yards (9.1 YPC), fellow freshman Devaughn Eka had four carries for 28 yards (7.0 YPC), Preston Rex went four carries for 24 yards (6.0 YPC), and wide receiver Legend Glasker had three carries for 21 yards (7.0 YPC).
It didn't matter who carried the ball. BYU's dominant offensive line was constantly opening up massive holes.
These rushing stats are so explosive because if the Cougars offensive line continues to open holes like those, BYU is going to be tough to beat.
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