Bear Bachmeier dives for a BYU touchdown (Photo by BYU Athletics)
The Cougars of BYU dismantled Utah Tech in their season opener!
#8 BYU 63, Utah Tech 7
The royal blue offense hit the ground running, or should I say Legend Glasker hit the ground running! The true freshman sensation from Lehi, Utah exploded onto the scene with three first-half touchdowns for BYU. The Cougars’ newest star had five rushes and catches for 81 yards and three touchdowns in his first game. If Glasker can become a consistent receiving threat, it’ll go a long way for BYU in replacing Chase Roberts.
Johnson and Alexander Lockdown
BYU has two of the best starting cornerbacks in the nation and maybe the single best tandem in college football. Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander III are that good. They both showed it in the win over Utah Tech. Alexander had his first interception of the year, picking off a pass that most players (let alone defenders) wouldn’t have been able to keep from hitting the ground. Johnson got his first interception by doing what so very few college defensive backs do in pass coverage. He looked for the ball and made a play on it like a receiver.
Special Teams Strengthen BYU Again
The Cougars’ special teams have been a huge boost to them, especially in their two most recent seasons. BYU is probably 9-4 and 10-4 in their last two seasons instead of 11-2 and 12-2 without their great special teams play (on the inverse side, my Buckeyes probably are 30-2 and back-to-back national champions instead of 26-4 if they have the level of special teams BYU did in those same seasons). They continued having that impact and being a big asset for BYU in their win over Utah Tech. Cannon DeVries’ 173 return yards and a touchdown on one kick return and two punt returns show that still is the case in Provo.
Bear and LJ Do what they Do
BYU’s big stars just played their games. They did what they do well, and it led to a win. One of the biggest strengths of BYU football is that Kalani Sitake has his program play their version of the game of football. Most teams are at their best when they are themselves. This has been very true of Sitake’s teams in his first ten seasons and now into his 11th season leading BYU. LJ Martin only played the first half for BYU and had seven carries for 54 yards. Bear Bachmeier also only played the first half. Bachmeier was 16 of 20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns passing the ball. He added four carries for 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
A Dark Cloud Over a Good Win
Unfortunately, not everything went the BYU’s way despite what the scoreboard said. Late in the first half, safety Raider Damuni hurt his left leg, and it didn’t look good at all. While there wasn’t a horrific bend of Damuni’s leg or knee, he immediately grabbed his leg in severe pain. He was unable to put any weight on it at all as he was helped from the field. It seems likely this could be an injury that would take him out for the season, and that would be a big blow to BYU’s defense from both an output and a leadership standpoint.
Run it again, Cougs!
BYU had a fantastic night running the football. LJ Martin and Bear Bachmeier did most of it last year but had plenty of help in this game. Martin’s main backup, Preston Rex, had five carries for 38 yards and a touchdown. Freshman running backs Devaughn Eka and Journee Tonga were great too. Eka had eight carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, and Tonga had a couple of carries for 38 yards and a touchdown. As a team, BYU ran for 308 yards and five touchdowns.
Up Next, Arizona
No rest for the weary. BYU has their warm-up game out of the way and now welcomes one of the better teams in the Big 12 to Provo. BYU crushed Arizona the last time they were in town, but last year’s game in Tucson was a double-overtime thriller. Noah Fifita is a talented veteran quarterback whom BYU must be ready for. BYU’s talented secondary will face a stout test.
