PROVO — If BYU’s report card for its 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech on Friday night was based solely on quarterback Zach Wilson, it would be a straight A.
A-plus, perhaps.
Still, the Cougars were impressive enough across the board to make a strong grade in the blowout win where BYU clearly overmatched the Bulldogs out of Conference USA.
Offense
BYU’s junior quarterback elevated the Cougar offense again, accounting for five touchdowns by posting a 222.7 QB rating. Wilson completed 24 of 26 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 43 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, averaging 5.4 yards on eight carries. On the year, Wilson is completing 84.5% of his passes.
The Cougars put up 513 yards of total offense, an average of 8 yards per play, and were perfect in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all four trips inside the La Tech 20. That’s been a problem in recent years for BYU, but so far in 2020, the veteran Cougars are cashing in once they reach the red zone. BYU was also 6 of 10 on third down, which helped the Cougars score on six straight possessions, including five touchdowns.
Wilson’s top skill player options continued to step up, as wide receiver Gunner Romney had another 100-yard receiving game (seven catches, 101 yards, one touchdown) and was complemented by receiver Dax Milne (seven receptions, 89 yards), while running back Tyler Allgeier (93 rushing yards on 10 carries, one touchdown) carried the run game. New faces also shined, including tight end Carter Wheat — scoring his first touchdown and making his first receptions as a Cougar — and offensive lineman Joe Tukuafu — subbing in for starter James Empey at center.
The only thing dragging this down from a perfect score was the first quarter, when two of BYU’s three possessions ended without points. One was a turnover on downs after driving into Bulldog territory, and the other a rare three-and-out for the Cougars.
Grade: A-
Defense
For most of the night, BYU held the Louisiana Tech offense in check. The Bulldogs put up 313 yards of total offense, though more than a third of that total, 111, came on two fourth-quarter drives after the Cougars had built a 45-7 lead. BYU limited La Tech to converting 5 of 14 third downs and just one red zone trip.
The Cougars, who held the Bulldogs to 74 rushing yards with a 2.5-per carry average, did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback, posting three sacks and six tackles for loss. That effort was led by freshman edge rusher Tyler Batty, who finished with all three Cougar sacks and three tackles for loss. Two of Batty’s sacks came on Louisiana Tech’s final drive of the first half, ending the Bulldogs’ hopes of trying to cut into a three-score deficit before the break.
BYU also came up with its first two interceptions of the year. The first was an impressive over-the-receiver pick by senior safety Troy Warner — his first career interception — that ended a La Tech drive that could have given the Bulldogs the lead in the first quarter. Linebacker Max Tooley also had a pick on Louisiana Tech’s final drive of the game.
There were a few hiccups from the BYU defense in this game — like a handful of missed tackles on La Tech’s 66-yard first-quarter touchdown — but overall, the Cougars were dominant defensively again.
Grade: A-
Special Teams
There isn’t a lot to judge the Cougar special teams on right now, with the way the offense and defense are playing, and that’s a good thing.
Sophomore Jake Oldroyd stayed perfect on field goals this season, improving to 5 of 5 with a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter. After struggling at the end of the 2019 season, it’s good to see his accuracy — and confidence — in the early part of 2020.
Punter Ryan Rehkow had punted just twice in the previous two games, and he matched that total Friday night. In limited opportunities, he impressed, averaging 48 yards per punt with a long of 54 and had one inside the 20.
Neither team did much in the return games. Milne, who muffed a punt against Troy, had just one punt return for 4 yards.
It’s a passing grade for the Cougar special teams, and could go higher in subsequent weeks if they perform under pressure in tighter games.
Grade: B
Overall
Wilson’s efficiency was on full display and it was another solid effort overall from the entire team. This one wasn’t as eye-opening as the blowout win over Navy to start the season, or statistically quite as dominant as the home opener against Troy, but the Cougars were simply dominant yet again.
Penalties were an issue a few times in this game, after BYU had only three in the previous two games combined. Overall, though, Kalani Sitake has his team playing consistently right now, something that’s plagued previous teams.
Grading this on the curve — comparing it to the first two games of the season — lowers it just out of the A range.
Grade: B+