BYU vs. Washington
We are moments away from kickoff as I write this. I’ll give updates on the game as we go.
Pregame
– Even before the game we are forced to talk about that celebration penalty on Locker two years ago. Two thoughts on that. First, it was the correct call based on the rulebook. Second, all UW had to do to tie the game was hit the not long filed goal for the extra point. They instead were blocked.
– Locker is a Heisman candidate. Lots of hype surrounding him. I however suspect the BYU defense will be the star of this game.
– I hope Sark wins a lot of games this season. Just not this one.
1st Quarter
– Riley Nelson and the offense on the field. BYU gets 9.5 yards. Punt.
– Washington moves down to the 10 on two big plays. After 3rd and 17 Locker finds many in end zone. BYU 0 UW 7.
– Bronco send Jake Heaps in for the second series. Three and out (Heaps overthrows a streaking Jacobsen on third). Punt. Punter gets roughed. First down. Nelson back. Moves BYU down the field but errant pass on third down. FG attempt no good.
– Washington takes over. BYU D holds. Punt. Bad snap. Punter throws ball out back. Safety. BYU 2 UW 7.
– Heaps is back. Passes look beautiful. Drives down inside 10. No BYU run game so far. FG. BYU 5 UW 7
– Muffed kickoff reception. UW takes over at their 3. BYU catches break on overthrown bomb. Third and 9.
2nd Quarter
– BYU D holds. (Nice speed by newcomer MLB Leung-Wai) Punt. Chambers fumbles but called down.
– Nelson again. Runs option for 6. Diliugi fumbles out of bounds on third with first down in his sights. Goes on 4th and Kariya gets it up the middle. Nelson looking good too — his feet causing trouble for UW. Touchdown pass to newcomer RB Josh Quezada. Go for 2 and get it. (QB draw) BYU 13 UW 7
– UW gets ball and marches 80 yards for the TD. BYU 13 UW 14
– Heaps gets a couple of first downs then punt.
– UW three and out. Punt.
– BYU marches under Nelson then sputters. Punt. Pins UW at the 1.
– BYU D lays an egg. UW marches down and hits FG. BYU 13 UW 17 End of half.
3rd Quarter
– UW takes kickoff. Couple of first downs. Couple of penalties. Punt.
– BYU takes over with Heaps at QB. O-line starting to win this drive. Heaps pass a yard short on third down at the 15. FG. BYU 16 UW 17
– UW starts at 5 after another kickoff return miscue. BYU hold them to 3 and out. Punt. BYU ball at mid field.
– Nelson take over. Wide open Diluigi down the middle (blown coverage). Touchdown BYU. BYU 23 UW 17
– UW starts at 15. Big stand by BYU D on 3rd and 1. Punt.
– Heaps takes over. Marches down the field but then receivers drop two straight on target passes. Punt.
– UW takes over from the 14. Quarter ends.
4th Quarter
– Locker hits long pass. BYU with sack then holds on 4th down. BYU ball.
– Nelson in. Diluigi killing it in this drive. Personal foul sets BYU back. Cross middle field but must punt after another dropped pass. Punt.
– UW starts at their 20. Move the ball but then drive stalls. Punt.
– Jake takes over at the 20. Needed 10, got 8. Punt. (6 minutes to go with a six point lead that is not good.)
– UW gets ball at their 25. March down the field but BYU D stiffens and bats away 4th down conversion attempt. BYU ball with less than 2 minutes
– Nelson takes over. Look for all runs until this one is over. Nelson keeps twice and gets first down. BYU takes a knee and game over. Final: BYU 23 UW 17
Final thoughts
It appears the two QB system was just fine. Both QBs looked good. Interesting how the reports from Fall camp really matched the performance on the field: Diluigi was the primary running back, Heaps throws a pretty ball, Nelson is a valuable dual threat, the LBs are fast, the DBs and D-line are solid, and the O-line wore their opponents out.
The main disappointment of the night was the receiving corps. These guys dropped way too many passes that hit them in the hands. Without those drops this game would not have been so close. The bright spot was the tight ends — those anonymous guys were catching a lot of passes in important situations.
Next up: At Air Force
I appreciate you doing this, since I don’t have access to the game.
Comment by Kevin Barney — September 4, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
I don’t get the game either, so this will have to substitute for watching. Thanks Geoff.
Comment by Jacob J — September 4, 2010 @ 5:22 pm
Can’t watch it myself, but listening to audio stream from ksl.com.
Comment by Mike — September 4, 2010 @ 5:26 pm
Wow. Wonder how that will affect the top 25 this coming week.
Comment by Stephen M (Ethesis) — September 4, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
BYU was in the 30s in the preseason polls. It would take quite a few top 25 losses for BYU to crack the top 25. But if BYU wins next week at AFA they have an outside chance. BYU will certainly crack the top 25 if they beat Florida State in two weeks.
Comment by Geoff J — September 4, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
Whew! Thanks again for the great reporting.
Comment by Kevin Barney — September 4, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
Oh Yeah! They didn’t look awesome but given the fact for so many players this was their first game as a BYU player I must say I was happy.
Like I said on your last post I think the direction of the whole season hinges on the first game. They won and so I predict a ~10 win season.
Scott B: Sorry your “0-12, with most losses by blowout.” didn’t work out. Maybe next year. :)
Comment by Joseph Smidt — September 4, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
I should have mentioned that the field at LES looked great. The horrible new turf last year took our guys by surprise and contributed to BYU’s awful showing in the home opener against Florida State last year IMO.
Comment by Geoff J — September 4, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
This Washington team also wasn’t ranked, right?
Comment by Dan — September 5, 2010 @ 6:47 am
Thanks for the recap. It was a great game. I was really worried about the defense in the first half, but they really clamped down in the second. My biggest critique, like yours, was the dropped passes.
And, while the two-quarterback system worked out well today, I hope they settle on one in the coming weeks. It just brings stability to the offence. But both quarterbacks looked great: Heaps really has a golden arm, and Nelson’s legs really add a dimension rarely seen at BYU.
Comment by Ben Park — September 5, 2010 @ 7:08 am
The LCB (#5) was horrible. Not only did he give up the big run that set up WU’s first score but he later gave up the long pass that set up the 2nd TD.
Plus, BYU is going to have to do better scheming on D. The first TD on 3rd and long was way too easy with the scheme calling for a LB to cover the oponent’s best receiver.
Comment by PaulM — September 5, 2010 @ 11:27 am
I think those are valid concerns PaulM. Hopefully the game film will allow the coaching staff to adjust for those defensive scheme weaknesses. And hopefully the BYU guys will start covering better when called on.
Comment by Geoff J — September 5, 2010 @ 11:54 am
As you said Geoff, the receivers were rough. Had they caught completely catchable balls we’d have been quite ahead. That missed field goal didn’t bode well either. But special teams played great, our running game was better than expected (and not just Nelson’s option play), and the QBs were better than they had any right to be all things considered.
All that said I think the real reason we won was some really horrible mistakes on Washington’s part – especially their special teams. Had their special teams played merely competently it could easily have gone the other way.
I think the altitude had an effect too. We were playing just as good the second half but they were much slower and far less energetic the second half.
Still that game went much better than I could have hoped. Expect things to be even more solid next week against Air Force.
Paul, I think part of the issue with the D was a conscious game play to try and manage W’s quarterback. This did allow some big breaks for them but paid off in the long run I think. Bronco more or less said the same thing in one of the post game interviews.
Comment by Clark — September 5, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Wow. BYU cracked the top 25 sooner than I expected. The Cougs come in at #24 in the newly released coaches poll.
Comment by Geoff J — September 7, 2010 @ 10:22 am
That’s surprising. I was really impressed with BYU (minus some problems with the receivers that migth be due to the 2 quarterback issue). However I didn’t think we were top 25 impressive yet, if only because I didn’t think Washington played that well.
Comment by Clark — September 7, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
And Utah is tied for #20. I am even more surprised by that (as a Ute).
Comment by Chris H. — September 7, 2010 @ 10:53 pm
Don’t miss Vai’s recent comments on Jimmy Mac. It is a must-read.
Comment by Geoff J — September 8, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
I’ve always thought that it’s a tragedy that the Bloggernacle doesn’t care more about BYU football.
Comment by Orwell — September 8, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
Thanks for the reporting, much better than a news article.
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“And, while the two-quarterback system worked out well today, I hope they settle on one in the coming weeks. It just brings stability to the offence.”
Probably, but I’m really wondering what effect the two-quarterback system might have on the opponent’s *defense*.
Comment by grego — September 8, 2010 @ 7:04 pm