A look at BYU's 2017 Season (Videos)
As the 2018 season approaches for the Cougars I decided to take a look back on their disastrous 2017 season that saw the Cougars go through nearly as many Quarterbacks as they had wins. I decided to re-watch as much of every game as I could and compile videos of a positive play for the Cougars as well as a negative play one. This is in an effort to highlight what went wrong for BYU in 2017 and what plays and players BYU can look to build on come week one in Tucson, Arizona.
BYU vs Portland State
Play I liked...
Great play recognition by Fred Warner who was able to seal off the edge for the BYU Defense allowing multiple defenders to close in on the ball carrier and make a tackle for a loss. Unfortunately for BYU, the aggressiveness finished from that point on.
Play I didn't Like...
BYU did a good job of forcing the running back to the sideline and making the stop on second and long. Unfortunately a mental mistake by BYU’s Chris Wilcox led to a penalty which gave the Vikings a 1st a 10 near the 50 yard line instead of what would have been a 3rd and 5. Portland State would score their only points on this drive.
BYU vs LSU
Play I liked...
BYU had multiple impressive stops near the goal line through the LSU game but non were more impressive than this. The cougars had struggled getting a good push at the line but in this particular play freshman Khyiris Tonga blew through the LSU offensive line to make the stop in the backfield. This play was one of the few bright spots in the game for BYU.
Play I didn't Like...
An ill advised, under thrown ball against a very good LSU secondary is the exact type of throw Tanner Mangum needs to eliminate from his arsenal.
BYU vs Utah
Play I Liked...
BYU could have easily been down 21-0 at this point in the game but impressive stops by the BYU defense allowed the Cougars to keep it close. This was one of those plays. Corbin Kafusi got a good jump at the line and was able to fight through a block to put pressure on Tyler Huntley while Matt Hadley was able to fill Huntley’s running lane. On top of that, the BYU corners were able to stay with their assignments and nearly pick off the pass despite an impressive throw by Huntley.
Play I Didn't Like...
BYU QB Tanner Mangum threw what would end up being one of his three interceptions in what appeared to be a “fluke” play. However it is evident that Mangum stared down his intended target allowing the defense to make an impressive play on the ball and give the Ute offense the ball deep in BYU territory, leading to a Utah touchdown. Mangum would throw another interception on the following drive.
BYU vs Wisconsin
Play I Liked...
It wasn’t as exciting as Ula Tolutau’s 23 yard gain two plays later, but in his first start backup QB Beau Hoge demonstrated his running ability on this 3rd down conversion. The hesitation on the read was just enough to stall the edge rusher and allow Hoge to get to the outside where he ran through an arm tackle on his way to a 7 yard gain. Hoge’s natural running ability is why it’s no surprise that the former QB will be lining up at running back for the Cougars in 2018. BYU would go on to score a field goal on this drive to even the score at 3-3.
Play I Didn't Like...
There’s no excuse for giving up big plays like this coming out of a timeout if you are BYU. Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook had all day to throw the football and the Wisconsin WR simply blew by the BYU defender. Worse yet, the pass was under thrown yet DB Micah Hanneman never turns to locate the ball. This play eventually led to a Wisconsin touchdown and essentially opened the floodgates as Wisconsin went on to score 40 points and Hornibrook threw a career high 4 touchdowns.
BYU vs Utah State
Play I Liked...
When your offense is struggling to move the ball and put points on the board, the other units have to step up and make plays and that’s exactly what the defense did here on a Micah Hannemann 45-yard pick 6. Hannemann did a tremendous job reading the play and making a break on the ball, leading to the score.
Play I Didn't Like...
If you want to be a winning football team, it is plays like this that can’t happen. One error by the center can turn a second-and-five into a third-and-27 just like that. What could have been a two-minute still for the BYU offense, potentially leading to points, turned into a punting situation and USU was able to quickly capitalize on the BYU error, leveling the score at 21 apiece before eventually taking a 24-21 lead into the half. BYU was in a position where they could have gone into the half with a two possession lead but rather trailed by 3.
BYU vs Boise State
Play I Liked...
Here the BYU offense does a great job of executing and doing exactly what you need to do on a fourth and short situation. They didn’t try any trick plays but instead ran it right up the middle with their 250 pound tailback. The offensive line get a great job of winning the battle at the line of scrimmage and getting enough of a push that all Ula Tolutau had to do was protect the ball and run straight forward.
Play I Didn't Like...
This is easier shown on the replay but it’s clear that Tanner Mangum had a wide open Talon Shumway. Had Mangum been able to locate the open receiver instead of trying to force the ball into a tight space, Shumway would have easily gotten the first down and could have even gotten 6 points. But instead Mangum never saw the receiver and BYU was forced to punt.
BYU vs Mississippi State
Play I Liked...
There wasn’t a lot of bright spots in this game for BYU but defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku was one of them. Pressure by BYU’s Butch Pau’u led to the errant thrown by MSU QB Nick Fitzgerald where Ghanwoloku was waiting for his second interception of the game.
Play I Didn't Like...
This is an example of a play where BYU defenders were simply out of position. Mississippi State lined up in a four wide receiver set on the left side however BYU never had enough defenders on that side. Worse yet, when the throw was made on the screen pass, only one BYU defender was in position to make a play. Add that to the missed tackles and you can see why Mississippi State had a big game offensively.
BYU vs East Carolina
Play I Liked...
With their backs against the wall, the BYU defense does a great job of not letting the game get out of hand. The BYU defense did a good job of staying home and containing the edge. They also did a tremendous job of swarming to the ball, had the first player missed the tackle there were multiple other cougars there to make a play.
Play I Didn't Like...
No one would argue that BYU didn’t fail to capitalize on big plays last season and this is an example of one of those times. A 46 yard catch and run by Hifo set up the cougars deep in ECU territory with a chance to take the lead but instead had to settle for a field goal. In this case a field goal isn’t the worst case scenario with still a quarter left to play and your defense bending but not breaking, but unfortunately for the cougars Rhett Almond missed the 41 yard field goal, giving the ball back to the Pirates.
BYU vs San Jose State
Play I Liked...
BYU cane out of the gates firing against the Spartans and their first play from scrimmage was no exception. Tanner Mangum does a great job here of stepping up in the pocket, remaining composed and looking over all his reads before finding a streaking Jonah Trinnaman for a big gain. If Mangum can show that he can consistently remain calm in the pocket, like he did in this play, then BYU should be vastly improved in 2018.
BYU had their best game against the Spartans and so I have no play that I didn't like.
BYU vs Fresno State
Play I Liked...
Even though the pass fell incomplete I still liked this play because it highlights the athleticism of Beau Hoge and what he can bring to the table at running back for the cougars in 2018. It also highlights how accuracy issues on the part of Hoge contributed to his position change this offseason.
Play I Didn't Like...
Fresno State QB Marcus McMaryion had all day to throw on this play and it paid off for the Bulldogs as he found a wide open receiver for a 35 yard gain. If you’re BYU you need to do a better job of putting pressure on the QB, an issue that plagued the cougars in 2017. Missed tackles at the end of the play are also an issue that needs to be fixed in 2018.
BYU vs UNLV
Play I Liked...
Squally Canada was a work horse back in the game against UNLV tallying 213 yards on 25 carries for the Cougars. This run was just a small sample size of what Canada was able to do against the Rebels as he used his speed to get around the outside before using his power to gain another 2 yards at the run end of the run, putting BYU in scoring position.
Play I Didn't Like...
Joe Critchlow saw his first start come against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and the early game jitters were apparent for the young QB as BYU struggled to move the ball early on. Here, Critchlow dishes through his reads before taking off into the waiting arms of the defender for a sack.
BYU vs UMass
Play I Liked...
This play is simple and it’s clear to see why I liked it. Sione Takitaki comes rushing off the edge and swallows up the UMass ball carrier before he even has a chance to get back to the line of scrimmage. Takitaki’s versatility is the reason why he is my player to watch in 2018 for BYU. I think he has a good shot at making it to the NFL with his combination of speed and strength.
Play I Didn't Like...
I left in the color commentary by BYU TV for a reason. The BYU TV analysts spent the whole time prior to this play talking about “nerve throws” and how nerves can make a ball sail on a QB and how Critchlow had made some “nerve throws”. This is followed up by another nerve throw by the BYU QB this time leading to an interception. Over thrown balls seemed to be a consistent story with Joe Critchlow which could be a factor in the BYU coaches’ decision to have him as the third string QB going into 2018.
BYU vs Hawaii
I was unable to find the full BYU- Hawaii game so instead I had to take a highlight clip but I think these three plays perfect encapsulate why two players are on different trajectories during BYU fall camp. First, Sqaully Canada has an excellent end to his 2017 season and a 2 TD performance against Hawaii topped it off. His strong end to 2017 certainly plays a role in him being the favorite to be the starting running back week one. Meanwhile Joe Critchlow seems to be battling for the third string position on the QB depth chart rather than the first, which is what many expected to be the case coming into fall camp. A lack of consistency couple with turnovers seem to be Critchlow’s downfall in the QB battle this offseason.
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