Credit: BYU Photo
BYU Football season in 2023 didn’t go as planned or as many hoped it would. The predictions were right that BYU would go 5-7. Many hoped that they would win six games and go to bowl games early in December. After their sixth straight loss, the Cougars finished 5-7 with many questions going into the offseason.
Offense
This offense definitely can only go up after this season. The run game didn’t ever get going and only once did they rush for more than 250 yards. BYU’s rushing game will need to big in the Big 12 in order for them to win games. The Cougars passing game didn’t put up too many yards this season either and only once it broke 300 yards this past season. On and Off paper the Cougars struggled on offense and improvements will need to be made.
The Quarterbacks struggled to make game winning decisions but they had no trouble making ones that defined the game. BYU’s running backs couldn’t get their job done this season and didn’t look like they knew where to go. The Wide Receivers were a hit or miss this season. They were either on page with the quarterback and could make those easy catches. Other games they couldn’t make a catch to save their lives. The Cougars Tight end position only had so many opportunities to prove their worth and when they were used it showed that BYU needs to keep them on the field. They can catch, score and block so they should have been used more often. Finally the offensive line were great in pass protection but when it came to the run game they fell apart.
Overall Stats
Passing
- 2465 total yards
- 17 touchdowns
- 205.4 yards per game
Rushing
- 360 attempts
- 1559 total yards
- 3.5 average yards per gain
- 15 touchdowns
- 104.3 yards per game
Receiving
- 220 receptions
- 2465 total yards
- 11.2 average yards per gain
- 17 touchdowns
- 205.4 yards per game
Stats Leader by Position
Kedon Slovis
- 8 games
- 57.5 completion percentage
- 12 touchdowns
- 214.5 yards per game
LJ Martin
- 10 games
- 109 attempts
- 546 total yards
- four touchdowns
- 51.8 yards per game
Chase Roberts
- 12 games
- 42 receptions
- 573 yards
- five touchdowns
- 47.8 yards per game
Improvements for Next Season
They needs to be some major improvements for BYU to win more games season and be bowl eligible. First of all they have to put get more touchdowns 32 this season wasn’t sufficient enough and it isn’t in power five play. Next they have to fix the running game and get that going with at least 200 yards per game in order for it to do any good. Finally the wide receivers have to catch the ball and not drop it on every other play.
Defense
This defense saw some huge improvements with the new coaching staff. There were some games to where they struggled but those games they were on the field too often. Some big plays were made by the defense that set the offense up big and it did help from time to time when the offense was able to make something happen.
The Defensive line was huge for the first eight games and then they just didn’t have the depth needed to close out the season. They would have done a lot better down the stretch if there weren’t so many injuries to starters and to back ups. The Linebackers were huge for the Cougars defense this season and were productive on every play. Once again injuries did hurt them as well but they had that depth to keep making plays to help keep the season alive. The Cornerbacks had an amazing season with turnovers and made the wide receivers fight for the ball on every play. Finally the Safeties showed their importance on the field this season as they improved and were better the second half of the season.
Overall Stats
Tackles
- 429 solo
- 424 assisted
- 853 total
Interceptions
- 14 total
- 208 yards
- two touchdowns
Fumbles
- 6 total
Sacks
- 11 total
- 105 yards
Improvements for Next Season
The defense can improve on their depth, more turnovers, and keeping the opponent out of the red zone. The depth proved to be an issue down the stretch which is where those extra wins in the Big 12 matter. More turnovers will result in hopefully more points but it definitely will give the offense more chances with the football. Finally not letting the opponent run it down the field and being in the red zone is important when it comes to winning Big 12 games.
Special Teams
The only unit of BYU’s football team this year to not chock in every aspect of their part of the game. This special teams showed out this year after Coach Poppinga stepped in. With some big time punts and some big time turnovers this special teams was one of the best in the country.
The Kicker was great and showed that he should remain where he is at in that starting role. Ryan Rehkow was one of the best punters in the nation and showed his talents but he will be headed to the NFL. The rest of the special teams did their jobs and helped flip the field on many occasions this season.
Overall Stats
Field Goals
- Will Ferrin 11 of 14
Kickoffs
- 55 total
- 3461 total yards
- 62.9 average
- 34 touchbacks
Punts
- 68 total
- 3289 total yards
- Five touchbacks
- 25 inside the 20
- 31 of 50 or more yards
Improvements for Next Season
The down field tackling could be improved to give the defense more field to work with. BYU Football had a punting game was one for the record books this season but with Rehkow leaving for the NFL they will have to find a new one. Watch for that battle between punters to be heated this offseason and for it to be a headline come spring ball. Finally field goals and extra points could be better utilized instead of trying to make a trick play work.
