BYU RER and other statistical observations

[SpiffCoug]

I was doing the Red Rock Relay on Friday and Saturday (187 miles from Brian's Head to Zions National Park - my three legs totaled 15.8 miles - my team finished in 29 hours 25 minutes) so I didn't get to watch the game until last night. I was able to go spoiler free and here's the RER and my observations from the game.

Weber State RER (Season):
Wilson: 368.80
Hoffman: 285.14 (268.24)
Alisa 267.20 (213.00)
Mahina: 251.20
Foote: 167.20
Friel: 140.29 (237.72)
Kuresa: 138.07
Holt: 104.60 (96.20)
Ridley: 87.80 (173.24)
Matthews: 75.20
Falslev: -16.53 (91.24)
Williams: 125.20

Observations:
- I like seeing 12 receivers (Pritchard had a 0.00 RER, with one target and no catches).
- BYU's PER on 3rd down is 154.33. They have 11 completions on 3rd down and 10 have resulted in 1st downs.
- Blue zone offense improved from last week - with a 349 PER (2 completions for 20 yards and 1 TD) up from 148.67 and now 185.09 on the season. The rushing game was improved with 10 carries for 33 yards and 4 TDs (up from 12 for 7 yds and 0 TDs).
- Riley met the BYU standard for PER (137.23) but as a team BYU was just shy - 134.26.
- BYU's defensive PER on the year is 98.51
- Again, BYU is doing a good job at avoiding bad down and distances. Against Weber, BYU's 37 1st-&-10s turned into just seven 3rd-&-Long.
- BYU had five players with as many or more rushing attempts as Riley. He doesn't need to be a feature back as well.
- I was shocked when Lark started the 2nd half. Great to see the backups getting lots of work in live game situations and being allowed to run the entire offense.
- Jamaal Williams did a great job picking up a blitzing linebacker on Lark's TD run.
- I'm a little concerned by the 16 penalties in the first two games, but I take comfort knowing that in 2006, BYU had 21 through two games, and 16 in 2007. At least those two years fixed it by games three and four with 13 and 22 penalties - or maybe not.
- BYU hasn't given up a passing touchdown in either the 1st or 2nd game the last two years.
- BYU has now held eight straight opponents to 40% or worse on 3rd down.
- BYU's 958 yards of total offense is the most in the first two games since 2008.
- BYU's 19 rushing first downs is the most in the first two games since 2005.