Cleanup on University Avenue

Kalani Sitake knows what he’s up against the next two weeks.

Before taking 2-0 BYU to 1-1 East Carolina, there’s a lot to clean up, he told reporters after a 27-3 win over 0-2 Stanford on Saturday night.

He knows he’s got a defense capable of making huge plays, be it getting turnovers, sacks and stopping the run. But he also knows his freshman quarterback and rebuilt offensive line can see on film what adjustments need to be made in protections and execution of the run game.

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In the meantime, LJ Martin has become a key cog of simply getting things done. BYU will need to keep him healthy and fresh.

BYU’s win over Stanford only proved that BYU is good enough against struggling teams. To stay undefeated, it will need to execute better and add far more than receiver screens, quick passes to the flats and have Martin clean up.

A holding penalty, false start and questionable goal-line call on a Martin pileup run proved costly for Aaron Roderick’s offense against the Cardinal.

That won’t get it done against the ranked teams BYU will face in the weeks to come (Utah, Texas Tech, Iowa State).

In the meantime, Bear Bachmeier’s progress is imperative.

Starting off against winless Portland State and Stanford, outscoring both by a combined 96-3, is a perfect platform for launching Bachmeier’s career.

At the same time, Stanford’s size and athleticism, especially on defense, became the best tutor Roderick could ask for in drilling home some lessons during the next 14 days.

The film sessions and emphasis on details will prove valuable.

“Start rolling,” said senior captain receiver Chase Roberts. He’s looking forward to the break.

“Healing up, resting up, as well as getting those reps with Bear, being able to get the pass game going and then getting on the same page and learning and growing and getting that confidence in each other as an offense, and just keep rolling,” said Roberts.

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“I think we have a great start. I think it’s been a perfect first couple of games for us, and we’ll start rolling here.”

Aside from execution issues, I’d look for a deeper display of BYU’s offensive playbook, more crossing routes and deep post plays, as well as additions to screens, quick-outs and jet sweeps Roderick has centered on in the first two games.

Sione Moa, who romped to a TD Saturday night, said adjustments and improvements are expected in the coming weeks as they prepare for the trip to the Eastern time zone.

“I think it’s super beneficial just to see where we were at these past two games and then go from there, you know, Bear trying to get everything settled, trying to figure out everything. I think this bye week will definitely help us get that extra work.”

The Big 12 enjoyed a decent if not successful weekend, with Baylor battling to defeat SMU and BYU’s win over another ACC opponent.

BYU joins Iowa State (3-0), Arizona, Houston, Texas Tech, UCF, Utah and TCU as undefeated brothers in the league.

Of course, those records have come from some FCS opponents, and Kansas State’s loss to Army at home was a setback, as well as ASU’s setback at Mississippi State.

One could say the Bachmeier project in Provo is ongoing and he’s looked good. He has not thrown an interception or lost a fumble. His ball security, Roderick’s top priority, has been right on. On Saturday, his receivers had four drops.

The offense is lucky the defense is covering their sixes.

On Saturday, Hill’s group proved it can field some impressive plays, with Raider Damuni and Faletau Satuala registering interceptions and Jack Kelly (strip sack), Isaiah Glasker, and Keanu Tanuvasa getting one sack each.

Hill’s defense has allowed 14 rushing yards in two games.

Sitake’s got Will Ferrin, a field goal kicker he doesn’t want to see except for PATs. He’s like a mortar launcher. Measure the distance, the trajectory, fire. He’s making everything his shoe touches from whatever distance needed.

That’s icing on top.

He was 4 for 4 against Stanford and has a school-record 22-straight field goal makes going.

Sitake knows his team will face far better opponents in the weeks to come. The QBs will be better, the receivers and backs and lines more productive. And the defenses will come after his Bear.

And he’s got to have his offense grow up.

Fast.