USF working again Michel Dukes is tripped up throughout BYU’s season opener towards USF on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Robert W. Grover, for the Deseret Information
BYU soccer coach Kalani Sitake didn’t have a lot to nitpick about — at the least on offense and protection — after the No. 25 and rising Cougars thumped South Florida 51-20 Saturday evening at Raymond James Stadium.
The protection gave up a 50-yard cross on third-and-6 within the second quarter that led to a Bulls TD and the offense turned the ball over as soon as — which is as soon as too many, in Sitake’s eyes. So there was that — simply sufficient to catch the coaches’ consideration.
The kickoff protection crew’s efficiency? That’s a complete totally different story.
“We thought we might hold (kickoffs). For the primary half (of the sport) we had been doing fairly good, getting the ball contained in the 25, and …. I'll take the loss on that one. I'll take the blame on that.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake.
Suffice it to say the subject might be broached Monday when the Cougars get again collectively to look at movie of the in any other case spectacular, however uncommon, win in Florida earlier than turning their consideration to No. 10 Baylor’s go to Saturday.
For many who didn’t hassle to look at the second half after the Cougars took a 38-7 lead on the break, South Florida’s Jimmy Horn Jr. took the opening kickoff of the second half 89 yards for a landing.
Then, after Chris Brooks’ 52-yard landing run gave the Cougars a 47-14 lead, Jake Oldroyd’s kickoff was fielded by Brian Battie on the 4 and the sophomore from Sarasota, Fla., returned the kick 38 yards. A late hit by BYU’s George Udo added 15 yards, and the Bulls scored seven performs later, overcoming a holding penalty.
“That they had an ideal return crew and we tried to check it in all probability manner too many occasions, and I feel they had been No. 1 within the nation final 12 months and are in all probability No. 1 proper now after what we gave up,” Sitake mentioned. “That's on the coaches. We gotta work out a manner to enhance our kickoff crew.”
South Florida now ranks No. 12 in kickoff return common (29.88 yards), whereas the Cougars are 119th. In fact, all that BYU scoring meant the Bulls bought loads of alternatives — eight in all.
Not kicking the ball into the top zone is definitely a method that Sitake and BYU particular groups coach Ed Lamb have employed many occasions the previous few years, using Oldroyd’s potential to kick excessive, directional kickoffs. Sitake mentioned they could must re-think that technique.
“Yeah, we are going to give it a shot,” he mentioned when a reporter requested him why they don’t kick the ball into the top zone, as South Florida did three out of 4 occasions.
“We thought we might hold (kickoffs),” Sitake mentioned, noting that Oldroyd was solely doing what was requested of him. “For the primary half we had been doing fairly good, getting the ball contained in the 25, and …. I'll take the loss on that one. I'll take the blame on that.”
Sitake mentioned he may need let his ego get the perfect of him, and likewise defined that he wished to implement the notion to the kickoff protection crew that he believes in them.
“Possibly that's an error on my facet,” he mentioned. “… I can be taught from that, too. I simply need the blokes to know that I consider in them, and with the sport, the way in which it was (it was well worth the educating second). … I'll get higher.”
Oldroyd appeared to lack the standard pop in his leg, whereas kicking at sea degree. Neither of his profitable area objectives of 37 and 39 yards had been hammered by way of the uprights.
Will star receivers be prepared for Baylor showdown?
One other massive subject within the postgame interviews was the standing of star receivers Gunner Romney and Puka Nacua. Romney, who's battling an undisclosed damage sustained early in fall camp, didn’t make the journey to Tampa. Nacua suffered an ankle sprain on the third play of BYU’s third possession and spent the remainder of the sport in a strolling boot on the sidelines.
He requested backup quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters to piggyback him to the locker room at halftime, and was on crutches leaving the sphere when the sport was over.
Will they play towards Baylor?
Sitake mentioned Nacua was held out for “precautionary” causes and “might have stored going.” There isn't a bone harm, x-rays confirmed.
He rode piggy again on Sol-Jay throughout the sphere into the halftime locker room cuz he might barely stroll on his boot. I positive hope it was all precautionary. We are going to want him the subsequent 2 weeks. https://t.co/MUb3UWFIiy
— Justin Christensen (@gr8justinc) September 4, 2022
“We made the choice to carry him out and get him in a boot and attempt to get him recovering shortly for subsequent week,” Sitake mentioned. “He's sore. He requested one in all our gamers to piggyback him (to the locker room). I feel he would have achieved that even when he wasn’t sore (as a joke).”
As for Romney, Sitake mentioned not having him Saturday “was tough,” however backups resembling Brayden Cosper, Kody Epps and Chase Roberts crammed in effectively. When Nacua went down after a pair of landing runs, Keanu Hill was WR1 and caught a 21-yard landing cross.
“In the event you ask me, I might say (Romney) was actually shut (to taking part in),” Sitake mentioned. “However that’s not my speciality, drugs. So we are going to see what occurs once we get it evaluated tomorrow, after which we can have extra for you.”
Right here come the Bears
The Cougars have had Sept. 10 circled on their calendars since that 38-24 thrashing by the hands of Baylor final October in Waco. Not as a result of they need revenge — that’s actually not BYU’s model. It's extra of a measuring stick for the Cougars, particularly within the trenches, the place Baylor dominated final 12 months.
The No. 10 Bears routed FCS Albany 69-10 Saturday in Waco, as anticipated. Blake Shapen, who beat out Gerry Bohanon for the beginning job final spring, prompting Bohanon to switch to South Florida, accomplished 17 of 20 passes for 214 yards.
The defending Huge 12 champions are on a six-game successful streak.
BYU opened as a slight favourite, round a area objective, within the 8:15 p.m. kickoff at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The sport might be televised by ESPN.
“We had been capable of grind the clock (within the second half) and finish the sport towards South Florida,” Sitake mentioned. “We're trying ahead to getting on the movie and in search of methods to enhance for our house opener subsequent week.”
Significantly on kickoff protection.
Cougs get the W. pic.twitter.com/ihQkQS0KUU
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 4, 2022