PROVO — Playing in their final game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the BYU Cougar seniors ended their home careers with a 64-0 win against the Savannah State Tigers Saturday.
The 64 points are the most in the Bronco Mendenhall era as head coach at BYU. The previous high was 62 points against Air Force in 2005.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 7-4 on the year and face Cal on the road next Saturday.
Offense:
After receiving the opening kickoff, BYU needed just 1 minute, 20 seconds before quarterback Christian Stewart found wide receiver Mitch Mathews for a 71-yard touchdown and the 7-0 lead.
The Cougars went on to score 57 unanswered points.
BYU finished with 487 total yards (223 passing, 264 rushing).
For 19 minutes he played Stewart completed 12 of 17 passes for 196 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Stewart also found the end zone twice on the ground.
Mathews finished with four receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Nate Carter had 20 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the lopsided win, the Cougars had a few bad snaps and dropped passes.
Grade: A
Defense:
BYU kept Savannah State scoreless for the game and held the Tigers to just 63 total yards on 51 plays.
Savannah State quarterback Leon Prunty completed 10 of 25 passes for 40 yards and an interception.
The interception came from senior linebacker Alani Fua who returned it 18 yards to set up a quick Cougar touchdown.
BYU linemen Tanner Balderee and Theodore King both recovered fumbles in the fourth quarter.
Grade: A
Special teams:
The Cougars stuffed a fourth-and-1 fake punt by the Tigers in the first half.
Later in the half, BYU’s David Kessler blocked a Savannah State punt that ended in a safety.
On the ensuing kickoff, BYU’s Remington Peck called for a fair catch but muffed the kick. The Cougars recovered the fumble.
There were special teams penalties on the Cougars throughout the game (facemask and holding).
Kicker Trevor Samson connected on two field goals from 32 and 31 yards, respectively.
Punter Scott Arellano had two punts for 103 yards (51.5 avg. per/punt)
Grade: B
Coaching:
BYU did what it was expected to do.
In the blowout victory, Mendenhall made sure all of his backup players got plenty of time on the field.
Penalties on kickoffs and punts must be cleaned up before facing Cal on the road next Saturday.
Grade: B+
Clark Richardson is a graduate of Brigham Young University. EMAIL: clark.richardson13@gmail.com