Passing game through 4 games, going back to 2000.

[Ungoy]

I was curious when the last time BYU started a season with only 1 passing TD through 4 games. The sad thing is that so far I have gone through every season since 2000, and haven't found one season where our passing game has started off so abysmally. Even in 2001 with a dual threat QB and a stud, Doak Walker winning RB, we had more passing TD's. Here are my preliminary findings:

Season --- # of passing TD's through 4 games
2013 --- 1
2012 --- 7
2011 --- 3
2010 --- 3
2009 --- 9
2008 --- 15
2007 --- 10
2006 --- 7
2005 --- 8
2004 --- 4
2003 --- 7
2002 --- 7
2001 --- 10
2000 --- 5

[SpiffCoug]

2010: BYU threw ONE touchdown pass from games 2 through game 7 (a span of 5 games).

In fact, in 2010, BYU went from 4:23 left in the 3rd quarter of game 1 to 12:34 left in the 4th quarter of game 8 -- a span of nearly 352 minutes.

That's just 8 minutes shy of six full games.

So while our current passing game is pretty poor, it's not like it's been that long since our passing game struggled to put the ball in the endzone through the air.

Of course Taysom barely missed on two TDs last week and another one the week before.

[Ungoy]

I knew 2010 was going to be pretty poor. It's just sad to see the team struggle so badly inside the 20 yard line, and consistently fail to get the ball in the endzone. One thing I've been meaning to do, but haven't yet is to review Blue Zone efficiency over the past several seasons. It's just been bad this year.

[CrimsonCoug]

What's the rundown for the total number of offensive TDs over the 4 games for the past few years?

BYU's playing a different kind of ball. To their credit, the coaches are moving away from tradition to play to the strengths of their playmakers--the guy who they think gives them the best chance of winning. Bemoaning that passing has fallen while ignoring that rushing TDs have greatly increased seems a bit myopic.

[Cougarbib]

What's the rundown for the total number of offensive TDs over the 4 games for the past few years?

BYU's playing a different kind of ball. To their credit, the coaches are moving away from tradition to play to the strengths of their playmakers--the guy who they think gives them the best chance of winning. Bemoaning that passing has fallen while ignoring that rushing TDs have greatly increased seems a bit myopic.

Agree. A TD is a TD.

Back in the day, BYU had streaks of at leasy 1 TD passing in every game that crossed several seasons iirc. Some can't accept that a TD is a TD.

But overall production is down lately. SOS and inexperienced QBs are a big factor.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[SpiffCoug]

Blue Zone Stats (I don't have FG numbers)

2013:
4 of 13 for 40 yards 1 TD, 0 INTs 82.00 PER, 28 rushes for 107 yards 6 TDs

2012:
52 of 94 for 444 yards 20 TD, 2 INTs 160.95 PER, 106 rushes for 307 yards 21 TDs

2011:
27 of 57 for 276 yards 16 TD, 1 INTs 177.16 PER, 66 rushes for 210 yards 12 TDs

2010:
19 of 44 for 174 yards 9 TD, 1 INTs 139.35 PER, 98 rushes for 333 yards 22 TDs

[Ungoy]

Total offensive TD's through 4 games (Doesn't count defensive or special teams):

2013 --- 11
2012 --- 13
2011 --- 4
2010 --- 6
2009 --- 18
2008 --- 22
2007 --- 16
2006 --- 14
2005 --- 13
2004 --- 7
2003 --- 8
2002 --- 17
2001 --- 27
2000 --- 11

At first glance it's not that much different than other years, until you realize who's scoring most of the touchdowns.

I'm not saying that a running TD isn't the same as a passing TD. Just saying that this season, has been extremely unusual as far as the passing game goes.

My primary concern about TD's this season is where they are coming from. Taysom has 6 of BYU's 11 offensive TD's. All of BYU's other backs combined have 4. Receivers, 1. If Taysom were to go down again, who would pick up the slack in offensive production? It's not a good thing when your QB is your leading rusher and scoring leader, and it's not even close. Granted, Williams was out last week, but still. If Taysom goes down to injury, most of BYU's offense, and scoring goes with him. Can others pick up the slack? I don't know. But other players need to start scoring touchdowns. If Taysom has to run all season like he has been so far, I'm afraid he's going to get hurt again. Then where will we be?

[scott715]

Consider that Hoffman has missed two games and injured in the other two. I think he gets a TD tomorrow.

[Cougs_Rule]

I can only hope that TMangum can see the big picture and doesn't transfer. He had to watch misery the last two years and now sees further deterioration of the passing game at BYU--excuse me, not deterioration, but utilization of the fastest BYU qb ever. I guess there is a difference. But do wonder what top flight WR recruits think. I know we nabbed the good JC transfer; but Tight ends, Olinemen. I hope TM doesn't lose perspective.

[BroncoBot]

Blue Zone Stats (I don't have FG numbers)

2013:
4 of 13 for 40 yards 1 TD, 0 INTs 82.00 PER, 28 rushes for 107 yards 6 TDs

2012:
52 of 94 for 444 yards 20 TD, 2 INTs 160.95 PER, 106 rushes for 307 yards 21 TDs

2011:
27 of 57 for 276 yards 16 TD, 1 INTs 177.16 PER, 66 rushes for 210 yards 12 TDs

2010:
19 of 44 for 174 yards 9 TD, 1 INTs 139.35 PER, 98 rushes for 333 yards 22 TDs

Sad to think that Nelson, who was supposedly the bottom of the barrel, is doubling up Hill's blue zone PER. OUCH!!!