The Difference in the Game

Offensive Plays: BYU = 85, SDSU = 48.



Most of the statistics look to be a draw--6.1 yards per pass, 4.4 yards per rush for both teams. The difference was that BYU was methodical and picked up pieces of yardage here and there, working their way down the field. That approach gave BYU 12/19 on 3rd down conversions.



SDSU on the other hand was relying on picking up yards in gobs and quick strikes. So, while their averages worked out about the same, the also had more plays for loss or no gain--which put them behind the sticks and gave them a 3rd down conversion rate of 3/10.



This is the Bronco Mendenhall philosophy--he wants an offense that will grind down the field on efficient running and high percentage passes against any defense. They don't rely on the deep ball because they want to control the ball and avoid momentum swings. On defense he wants a defense that forces offenses to do just that--execute consistently down the length of the field to get points and don't give up big plays.



Our offense stalled out a few times today, and our defense gave up more points than it should have to a team with only 48 snaps, but it was enough. This team has shown the potential to be great next season, but they have to survive this one first.

Having a useful running game has been our bread and butter against the little guys and upstarts for most of this decade.



Harvey Unga (assuming he was healthy) would have been enough to cure what ails us vs Air Force and Nevada; the offense would have been able to sustain drives and convert third downs, thus completely changing the feel of this season; but it also might have masked some of the issues with Jaime Hill and the D. Ultimately, I'd rather have everything in tip top shape going into our independence season and Hill was a cancer when it came to relationships with defensive players not in his starting 3 dbs.



The question will be what do we do when the running game isn't working. We'll find out this week.

craigoscarson wrote:
The question will be what do we do when the running game isn't working. We'll find out this week.

Answer: We'll lose.





Even so, we just may make it to the Independence Bowl yet this year!

Mmm... MWC cupcakes.....

difference today.. (in addition to what was already mentioned)



calling a timeout on that first field goal. I didn't think Bronco would do that.

BYU had a perfect game plan this week. Take Jake Heaps completely out of having to read the 3-3-5 and let our offensive line play smash mouth football. It worked perfectly. I expect them to implement more throwing into the game with TCU but still try to smash it out with them. I expect the defense to play even better next week. BYU is going to lose to TCU but I would put money on the fact that it won't be another 38-7 blowout like the last couple of years have been.

The difference in the game was first down success. We were getting positive yards on first down. We weren't facing a 2 & 9 which turned into a 3 & 9. We were facing a 2 & 4 which turned into 3 & 1.

DiLuigi's non-fumble