Scoop27
09-04-2013, 12:23 PM
Here's a quick look at what you need to know about the Longhorns' next opponent.
Most recent game
19-16 loss to Virginia at Virginia
- The BYU defense allowed just two very short Virginia TD drives. They were of 16 and 13 yards, respectively.
- BYU out-rushed and out-passed Virginia in the game - 187 to 109 and 175 to 114.
- BYU coaches and players are pointing to their drives late in the second half against Virginia, where the running game really got on track.
One of those drives was a 92-yarder that put BYU up 13-12 midway through the 4th quarter.
“A lot of people noticed we started driving the ball and starting scoring toward the end, but you have to play four quarters and not just one,” starting offensive lineman Ryker Mathews told the Deseret News.
“I think that was kind of the boost that we need to trust in the scheme and to trust in the offense.”
- Most of the second half of the game was played in a virtual monsoon.
- The game was delayed by lightning for a couple of hours.
- QB Taysom Hill completed 13-40 for 175 yards and 1 TD with a long of 52 yards but he had a key interception late in the 4th quarter.
- He is a mobile quarterback and Texas will see a lot of zone read, boots and waggles and not a ton of dropback passing.
- Running back Jamaal Williams is the team's primary offensive threat. He rushed for 144 yards against an athletic and talented Virginia defense.
- One-time Texas commitment Ross Apo is considered one of the team's two best receivers (he caught two passes against Virginia, including the 52-yarder).
- While the Cougars' defense gets most of the attention (and rightfully so), the BYU offense is seen as "improving".
- BYU has 14 offensive players with starting experience, including the quarterback and four offensive linemen. However, they are tinkering with their offensive line this week in the wake of their performance against Virginia. There will be a new starter at right tackle.
- BYU allowed a blocked punt in the 3rd quarter.
- BYU is breaking in a new offensive coordinator - Robert Anae. The Cougars have switched to a more up-tempo attack. Anae was the former OL coach for Texas Tech from 2000-2004.
***
Defense
The BYU defense is stout. Texas will not face another defense this season that finishes ranked as highly nationally as BYU.
Here are some stats to consider from last year:
- BYU finished 2nd nationally in rush defense, allowing just 86.92 yards per game.
- BYU finished 3rd nationally in pass efficiency defense.
- BYU finished 3rd nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 14 points per game.
- All-American linebacker Kyle Van Noy is a special player. He will likely be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft. For perspective, Van Noy had the same number of sacks as Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina did a year ago (13). He finished tied for 3rd in the country with that stat.
- It's important to note that BYU's defense is very well coached and they have talented players in the pipeline, especially in the front 7.
- For sake of comparison, BYU's head coach Bronco Mendenhall is very similar to TCU's Gary Patterson. His teams play with a lot of passion and smarts on the defensive side of the ball and they are much more talented than they are perhaps given credit for.
- Outside of Van Noy on defense, also be aware of senior linebacker Spencer Hadley, safety Daniel Sorensen and 6-foot-7 defensive end Bronson Kaufusi.
***
Key Injuries
- The team's top returning WR Cody Hoffman caught 100 passes last year but did not play against Virginia because of hamstring issues. Hoffman did not practice this Monday or Tuesday but could still play Saturday against Texas. If you're looking for a comparison, Jordan Shipley would be an obvious one.
- Linebacker Uani 'Unga suffered a chest injury against Virginia and there has been no word on his availability yet but he is expected to play.
- BYU lost its two starting cornerbacks to pre-season ACL injuries. They are now playing a true freshman at one corner spot. BYU coaches left Charlottesville happy with their play in the secondary.
***
2012 Record: 8-5
- BYU lost four games by six points or less
- BYU allowed just 17 points to Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. For comparison, Notre Dame scored 30 on Oklahoma in Norman.
- BYU held two strong offensive teams Boise State and Utah State to 7 and 6 points, respectively. However, both Boise and Utah State won those games.
- However, BYU returns just four defensive starters from that team.
- BYU also lost its two starting cornerbacks to pre-season ACL injuries. They are now playing a true freshman at one corner spot.
***
Other notes
- Texas is favored by 7 points.
- Kick off is set for 6pm CT.
- The game will be simulcast on ESPN2 and the LHN
- Temperature at kick off is expected to be in the mid 80s going down to the high 70s later in the game.
Most recent game
19-16 loss to Virginia at Virginia
- The BYU defense allowed just two very short Virginia TD drives. They were of 16 and 13 yards, respectively.
- BYU out-rushed and out-passed Virginia in the game - 187 to 109 and 175 to 114.
- BYU coaches and players are pointing to their drives late in the second half against Virginia, where the running game really got on track.
One of those drives was a 92-yarder that put BYU up 13-12 midway through the 4th quarter.
“A lot of people noticed we started driving the ball and starting scoring toward the end, but you have to play four quarters and not just one,” starting offensive lineman Ryker Mathews told the Deseret News.
“I think that was kind of the boost that we need to trust in the scheme and to trust in the offense.”
- Most of the second half of the game was played in a virtual monsoon.
- The game was delayed by lightning for a couple of hours.
- QB Taysom Hill completed 13-40 for 175 yards and 1 TD with a long of 52 yards but he had a key interception late in the 4th quarter.
- He is a mobile quarterback and Texas will see a lot of zone read, boots and waggles and not a ton of dropback passing.
- Running back Jamaal Williams is the team's primary offensive threat. He rushed for 144 yards against an athletic and talented Virginia defense.
- One-time Texas commitment Ross Apo is considered one of the team's two best receivers (he caught two passes against Virginia, including the 52-yarder).
- While the Cougars' defense gets most of the attention (and rightfully so), the BYU offense is seen as "improving".
- BYU has 14 offensive players with starting experience, including the quarterback and four offensive linemen. However, they are tinkering with their offensive line this week in the wake of their performance against Virginia. There will be a new starter at right tackle.
- BYU allowed a blocked punt in the 3rd quarter.
- BYU is breaking in a new offensive coordinator - Robert Anae. The Cougars have switched to a more up-tempo attack. Anae was the former OL coach for Texas Tech from 2000-2004.
***
Defense
The BYU defense is stout. Texas will not face another defense this season that finishes ranked as highly nationally as BYU.
Here are some stats to consider from last year:
- BYU finished 2nd nationally in rush defense, allowing just 86.92 yards per game.
- BYU finished 3rd nationally in pass efficiency defense.
- BYU finished 3rd nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 14 points per game.
- All-American linebacker Kyle Van Noy is a special player. He will likely be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft. For perspective, Van Noy had the same number of sacks as Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina did a year ago (13). He finished tied for 3rd in the country with that stat.
- It's important to note that BYU's defense is very well coached and they have talented players in the pipeline, especially in the front 7.
- For sake of comparison, BYU's head coach Bronco Mendenhall is very similar to TCU's Gary Patterson. His teams play with a lot of passion and smarts on the defensive side of the ball and they are much more talented than they are perhaps given credit for.
- Outside of Van Noy on defense, also be aware of senior linebacker Spencer Hadley, safety Daniel Sorensen and 6-foot-7 defensive end Bronson Kaufusi.
***
Key Injuries
- The team's top returning WR Cody Hoffman caught 100 passes last year but did not play against Virginia because of hamstring issues. Hoffman did not practice this Monday or Tuesday but could still play Saturday against Texas. If you're looking for a comparison, Jordan Shipley would be an obvious one.
- Linebacker Uani 'Unga suffered a chest injury against Virginia and there has been no word on his availability yet but he is expected to play.
- BYU lost its two starting cornerbacks to pre-season ACL injuries. They are now playing a true freshman at one corner spot. BYU coaches left Charlottesville happy with their play in the secondary.
***
2012 Record: 8-5
- BYU lost four games by six points or less
- BYU allowed just 17 points to Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. For comparison, Notre Dame scored 30 on Oklahoma in Norman.
- BYU held two strong offensive teams Boise State and Utah State to 7 and 6 points, respectively. However, both Boise and Utah State won those games.
- However, BYU returns just four defensive starters from that team.
- BYU also lost its two starting cornerbacks to pre-season ACL injuries. They are now playing a true freshman at one corner spot.
***
Other notes
- Texas is favored by 7 points.
- Kick off is set for 6pm CT.
- The game will be simulcast on ESPN2 and the LHN
- Temperature at kick off is expected to be in the mid 80s going down to the high 70s later in the game.