BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium (Photo: BYU Photo, Jaren Wilkey)
There wasn’t a lot of points but there was a lot of good for BYU in their season opening win over Conference USA foe Sam Houston. The Cougars got their first shutout since 2014 as they blanked Sam Houston 14-0.
Luke Staley-Tyler Allgeier Rusher of the Game: L.J. Martin.
BYU found their new great running back in L.J. Martin. Martin had 16 carries for 91 yards. BYU had 112 yards on the ground and L.J. Martin had 91 of them. He ran hard and in the tradition of those before him like Chris Brooks, Tyler Allgeier, Squally Canada, and Jamaal Williams. It’ll be interesting to see how he does with the opportunity to be RB1 he’s seized.
Austin Collie Receiver of the Game: Chase Roberts.
With Keanu Hill and Kody Epps out, the passing game understandably struggled a little but Chase Roberts stepped up after coming on strong late in 2022. Roberts had five catches for 42 yards and will look to be part of a potent three-headed monster attack at receiver for BYU to pass to when Epps and Hill return.
Steve Young-Curtis Brown Dual Threat of the Game: Kedon Slovis.
Slovis had 68 career touchdown passes coming into this game but had zero rushing touchdowns. With the passing game a little bogged down, Slovis did what he needed to get BYU points, including rushing to pay dirt twice. BYU fans are rightly excited about seeing him sling it to Hill, Epps, Roberts, and tight end Isaac Rex.
Payne Special Teams Player of the Game: Ryan Rehkow
In a game where points and offense were at a premium a field position specialist like Ryan Rehkow was worth his weight in yardage. His stats are eye-popping. He punted nine times for 479 yards, an average of 53.2 yards per punt. Seven of his nine punts went for more than 50 yards and four of them were downed inside the Sam Houston 20. He was a big part of BYU’s win.
LaVell Edwards Calls of the Game: Jay Hill and the defense.
Jay Hill being an associate head coach and defensive coordinator is already paying off for BYU. They held Sam Houston to the goose egg on the scoreboard, 185 total yards, and forced three turnovers.
Jorgensen-Herrmann Sack of the Game: Tyler Batty.
Tyler Batty led the way for maybe the most important improvement with Jay Hill’s defense and that was pressuring the quarterback. Batty had BYU’s only sack but BYU got eight pressures on the quarterback. The reason this is so huge is because the pass rush has been the weakest part of the defenses in the Kalani Sitake Era (last season they averaged less than three pressures a game) and seeing him and Hill work fix that is very encouraging.
Van Noy Hit of the Game: Eddie Heckard’s tackle.
Heckard came to BYU with Coach Hill from Weber State and has made an immediate impact. Heckard was flying to the ball, putting up a big hit in the open field late and making the game ending interception in the final minutes.
Kai Nacua Pick of the Game: Jakob Robinson’s pick in the endzone.
Speaking of interceptions Jakob Robinson had two elite picks along with five tackles. Both his interceptions were amazing plays. His one in the endzone that ended a Sam Houston scoring threat was the biggest of the game but the other, a diving effort on the sideline was the Ty Detmer Heisman Caliber Play of the Game. Robinson put the Big 12 on notice; throw at #0 at your own peril.
Taysom Hill Most Athletic Play of the Game: Ben Bywater catching the running back from behind.
Ben Bywater is the real deal at linebacker. He and Max Tooley are as good as any duo in the country. Both Bywater and Tooley had nine tackles each and Bywater had a tackle for a loss that he got as he chased down the running back from behind. These two are the best players on defense and it showed on this play by Bywater.
Wrubell’s Wisdom:
The voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell always comes up with some great information about the game just played, and the game up next. Follow him (after you follow me) on X for more great BYU content. Check out further Forkball coverage of BYU here by a talented writer who has all the royal blue news you could ask for!
Oh, and here’s a highlight from the best mascot in America.
