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MarsI really came out of the FSU game feeling oddly excited for the future. Some things to be happy about with a young team, still early in the season:
1. JJ DiLuigi baby! Averaging 7.0 running and 14 catching this year. Last year, Unga was 5.2 running and 7 catching.
2. Jake Heaps. He's young and has a long ways to go, but he loves to throw the ball and that helps our run game and helps our offensive balance. Do we finally have our starter?
3. The first half against FSU, our defense looked great. Made some great stops after turnovers limiting the opponent to field goals.
4. Quezada. He's averaging 10 yards a carry! Seriously, he should get more carries, if not become a pass-blocker quite yet.
5. Nevada's run D. Weak! Let's exploit it! I really wouldn't be too sad to see Riley take a bunch of 1st and 2nd down snaps at all in this instance.
6. Matt Reynolds. The O-Line looked pretty dang good before his leg got banged up. He was the man opening holes in the 2nd quarter (like on JJ's 21-yard run!)!
7. Hard hits from Rich, Pendleton, Logan, Van Noy, and Frazier. The D needs tackling work, sure, and each man needs to cover his own assignments and no one else's, but these boys can sure hit mano-a-mano. Frazier had a MONSTER hit this last game!
8. Eason! Every time he comes in, he goes "super-glue" on his man. I'm very impressed with this blue-mohawked boy this year. A man after my own heart!
9. Mike Hague! The dude laid a HARD hit on the defender after an 11-yard reception last game. "Bell ringers delivered from Mike Hague"! Give this guy a couple touches a game and let him concuss the opponent!
10. The All-Whites. Love 'em.
11. Doman on the sidelines. Seems to help teach/calm the QBs during the flow of the game.
12. JJ said he also really like Anae on the sidelines, saying that allowed them to get the plays in and off quicker.
13. Which brings us to, the No-Huddle Offense! I'm a big fan! This may really hurt some of our opposing defenses down the road. Very confusing to the enemy if they aren't lined up and ready very quickly.
14. Jake has a Max Hall-like quick release. He doesn't have the accuracy yet, but that should improve with seasoning.
15. At the same time, I also really like it right now when Heaps stays in the pocket, willing to take a hit so he can wait for a man to hopefully eventually break open. Soon enough he'll be throwing the ball away on these downs instead of getting sacked, and that will be even better.
16. The next game is at home! This is huge for a young team, with a bunch of freshmen who eat up the crowd-love like delicious candy.
17. Rushing on 3rd downs. The team this year is actually more successful converting 3rd downs by running the ball than they were last year.
18. Our boy OC in the flex. He looks good out there as a modified slot-TE, right at home. He had 2 catches for 27 yards last week, but I could see him heating up here as the season goes on. And again, this gives us the chance to throw McKay back outside and let him turn on the turbo-boosters, burning his man one-on-one.
19. Stephensen! It seemed like every kick and punt he boomed against FSU went for 50+ yards. And the only kickoff that went out of bounds was by the other team!
20. ESPN. BYU is already able to show repeats of the FSU game on BYUtv (and has). We could also show the game live on campus, including on a bigscreen TV in the Wilkinson center.
21. Hoffman (NorCal!), super-Frosh, led the team with 5 catches against the Seminoles. He is doing a great job using his big frame to get open, and he is being targeted a lot, early and often. He also had his 1st TD last week.
22. Apo! He's even better than Cody in my opinion, and once he's healthy he could be an immediate game-changer for BYU's offense at the WR position. Upgrade, son.
23. Center snaps. Haven't seen any bad ones yet this year. For a new starter at the position this season, it's been nice to still not have those goofy bobbles cropping up.
24. Punt and Kickoff Coverage units. We may be #1 in the nation in both categories this season so far. Bronco has coached them himself, and they're a well-oiled machine in this category right now.
25. The two minute offense. Sure looked great at the end of the 1st half didn't it? That drive was a thing of beauty.
26. Again, JJ! 7 carries against Air Force, 17 against FSU. Anae is learning! Yeah buddy, he's our crital playmaker, no doubt...
27. Snaps under center? Jake has potential, that much is clear watching him. Start giving him more snaps under center and you may see BYU unlock the demon!
28. Linette. :)
29. CougarCorner.
30. LB Shane Hunter. How could I have missed him? An INT and a fumble recovery in the last two games now. He's playing much better than I expected at this point. I'm liking his brainy play and leadership so far.
And there's more. Bright spots of sunshine. Flashes of brilliant life. Raging waters just below a calm surface. It could be very exciting once these pieces all start coming into place. Our young talent won't play inexperienced forever, and win or lose I'm excited to be along for the ride, wearing my BLUE & WHITE.
GO COUGARS!