Highlights from SLTrib's 2018 Year in review

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2018/12/26/byus-football-program/



Things I thought interesting in the review. The article still has a bit of a negative slant on what they DIDN'T accomplish but these are the things liked.



- So 2018 was a bit like 2016. Four of the losses — 21-18 to Cal, 7-6 to Northern Illinois, 21-16 to Boise State and 35-27 to Utah — were by a combined 17 points.



- From an offensive standpoint, the season will be remembered for the midseason starting quarterback change. “We’re looking forward to building on this,” Sitake said. “I’ve been trying to let Zach loose for a long time now. I think an aggressive style of football is what we need to have on offense."



- Wilson’s 157.2 passing efficiency rating would put him 14th in the country if he had enough passing attempts throughout the season to qualify. Mangum’s rating his freshman season was 136.0 and Jake Heaps’ was 116.2 in his freshman season back in 2010. That Mangum and Heaps regressed after solid rookie seasons and promising bowl outings (after the first quarter in the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah, in Mangum’s case) can’t be ignored, but Wilson’s play only moved expectations for 2019 up a few notches.



- After finishing 118th in total offense (325.2 yards per game) and 123rd in scoring offense (17.1 points per game) in 2017 — horrendous numbers that resulted in the release of offensive coordinator Ty Detmer — the Cougars made progress in 2018 with first-year OC Jeff Grimes calling the plays. They are 101st in total offense (364.9 ypg.) and 93rd in scoring offense (25.4 ppg.) with most teams having finished their seasons.



- The Cougars went from 51st in total defense (372.8 ypg.) and 46th in scoring defense (24.7 ppg.) in 2017 to 18th in total defense (325.0 ypg.) and 25th in scoring defense (21.4 ppg.) in 2018. Sitake has seemingly established a solid defensive culture at BYU, which will be needed when the Cougars open the 2019 season with Utah, Tennessee, USC and Washington in that order.



BYU BY THE NUMBERS IN 2018



Passing Offense — 85th (211.8 yards per game)

Rushing Offense — 91st (153.2 yards per game)

Scoring Offense — 93rd (25.4 points per game)

Total Offense — 101st (364.9 yards per game)

Passing Defense— 31st (195.6 yards per game)

Rushing Defense — 26th (129.4 yards per game)

Scoring Defense — 25th (21.4 points per game)

Total Defense — 18th (325 yards per game)