Evan Johnson scores on a pick-six for BYU (Photo by BYU Athletics)
BYU defeated Stanford, playing like an old-fashioned Big Ten team. They were a little more dynamic offensively this week in the game at East Carolina. More importantly, BYU is improving across the board as a team with every minute they spend on the football field.
Da Bear
When you talk about consistent and practically constant improvement for this BYU team, the conversation starts and ends with Bear Bachmeier. He’s playing better than expected, better than any other true freshman in America, and is building off of his successes. Bachmeier was 18 of 25 for 246 yards and a touchdown passing, with five carries for 26 yards and a touchdown rushing.
‘End Zone’ Evan Johnson
While Evan Johnson has the nickname of ‘Shmev,’ his play against ECU might lead to him getting the nickname of End Zone. Johnson is BYU’s best cornerback, and he played like it against East Carolina. His elite play was the turning point of this win for BYU. The game was rocky for the Cougars until Johnson struck.
BYU had only a pair of Will Ferrin field goals on three red zone trips and were holding on to a 6-3 lead. ECU was driving down the field on BYU. The Pirates were on a 14-play, 69-yard drive, and had 2nd and goal at the BYU six. The BYU defense looked like they couldn’t stop ECU, and that the Pirates would score and take a 10-6 lead. ECU threw a pass to the goal line, and #0 for BYU stepped in front of it.
Johnson returned it about ten yards, but more importantly, kept ECU out of the end zone. The BYU offense stalled, but punter Sam Vander Haar and the special teams pinned ECU at their own one-yard line. Then on their second straight pass, Evan Johnson picked off Hauser again and at the end zone again. Only this time it was ECU’s end zone and Johnson got a pick-six. Evan Johnson’s 14-point swing in BYU’s favor was the pivotal moment that would decide the game. End Zone Evan Johnson would finish his fantastic day with six tackles, two interceptions, and a pick-six.
#16 and #17
The BYU defense was further supported by their heart and backbone. The linebacker duo of Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker is as good as there is in college football. They played like it against Stanford and followed it up with another good one against ECU. Kelly had seven tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss. Glasker would have six tackles with two tackles for a loss. Kelly and Glasker will be needed to keep Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter from hurting BYU with his legs next Saturday.
LJ All Day
Bear and the defense may have gotten most of the attention in this win, but once again, BYU couldn’t have done it without LJ Martin. Mr. Reliable had his third straight 100-yard game for the Cougars. Martin had 14 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was a 41-yarder that was a thing of beauty in Martin, showing his vision, cutting ability, and speed all in one play. If Martin keeps getting 100 yards a game and continues to average nearly eight yards a carry, he’ll start gaining some national attention.
Elite Big 12 Pass Catchers
It stands to reason that with Bachmeier having his best game slinging the football, his pass catchers would have a good game as well. WR1 Chase Roberts had five catches for 97 yards. Tight End Carsen Ryan had four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Parker Kingston had 55 yards on five catches. With their five biggest playmakers in Bachmeier, Martin, Roberts, Ryan, and Kingston playing at such a high level, BYU’s offense will be tough to stop.
