There was little for BYU to celebrate on offense in their defeat in Lubbock, Texas. The offense was shutout until midway through the fourth quarter. It was then that BYU sped up their game a little and caught Texas Tech slightly off guard. Down 26-0, it was too little too late for the Cougars. At least they broke the shutout. Texas Tech would win 29-7.
In each of their victories this season, and especially their biggest victories, BYU’s offense was led by their stars. Whether it was Bear Bachmeier running and passing the ball, LJ Martin running and catching, or Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts as receivers on the perimeter, the Cougars always had their top guys lead the way.
Bachmeier had his first game since Week 2 that he didn’t account for multiple touchdowns. This was his worst rushing game of the season with only 11 yards (his second fewest this season) and no touchdowns (only the second game he didn’t rush for a touchdown). It was the first game of his career that he had as many or more turnovers than he did touchdowns.
LJ Martin had a quiet day as well. He started the day 19th in the nation with 789 rushing yards. This was the best in the Big 12. He had only 35 yards on ten carries. This was the first time this season he played a complete game and was held under 65 yards of total offense. Roberts and Kingston struggled, with neither getting much positive done until late in the fourth quarter, and had a turnover.
I don’t mention this to place the loss at the feet of BYU’s four biggest stars. The Cougar coaching staff didn’t have their best day either. Even the best coaches (and Coach Sitake is among them) have bad games and bad plays. It was a mistake to get away from their 15th-ranked rushing attack, and having the Big 12’s leading rusher only run the ball 10 times. It’s also a miscalculation to have the entire offense ride on Bachmeier and the Bear Raid.
Bachmeier and company have each had herculean and, in some cases, Heisman-worthy moments to propel BYU to big wins this season. But needing those to win every game is playing with fire, and if you play with fire, eventually you get burned. The good news is there is a silver lining.
BYU was on the road, against a top-eight, maybe top-five, team. Texas Tech is a very good football team! The key for BYU will be to have this game boost you going forward, and not beat you twice. They have very capable teams left to play against TCU, Cincinnati, and UCF. Those are games that should test BYU, but that the Cougars should win. Win the next three games and you get another crack at Texas Tech, and likely a College Football Playoff berth. This team, from the coaches to the players and everyone else, is resilient and will bounce back.