BYU vs Sam Houston

BYU Photo

Gameday break down

BYU beat Sam Houston State 14-0 last night making it the Cougar’s first shutout in nine years. The Cougar defense has made the moves necessary to step their game up and they did last night against the Bearkats. Jay Hill has built an amazing defense that will make a difference in games. The BYU offense struggled last night and I don’t think it’s the fact that the Bearkats have a good defense. How they played last night won’t win the Cougars any Big 12 games. This offense will need to step it up and rethink their game plan before next Saturday.

Studs

LJ Martin

The True Freshman showed out last night with 16 carriers for 91 yards. Martin was the star of the Cougar offense and stepped up when the rest of the offense was struggling. Look to see him more this season and be a great backup behind Aidan Robbins.

Tyler Batty

Batty put on a show last night coming up with two tackles, one sack, and countless quarterback hurries. He is a leader on the defense and set the tone early last night with that sack coming on the first drive of the game.

BYU Tyler Batty
Credit: BYU Photo

Ben Bywater

The Cougar Linebacker saw a successful night with nine tackles. He is also a strong leader for the Cougars and will help this defense reach many successful milestones this season.

Jakob Robinson

Robinson stepped up and had a big night with five tackles and two interceptions. He is someone that quarterbacks shouldn’t lose sight of in the backfield. Robinson was ready to have some fun last night and helped the Cougars come away with the victory.

BYU Jakob Robinson
Jakob Robinson (0) intercepts a pass in the end zone during the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Ryan Rehkow

Rehkow was the star of the special teams with nine punts for 479 yards, one touchback, and four that landed behind the 20-yard line. If he continues to have nights like that he will win the Ray Guy award.

Duds

Deion Smith

Smith struggled to gain yards as a running back when the passing game for the Cougars struggled as well. He rushed for three carries with negative two yards. Smith will either step his game up or lose his second-string role to the freshman.

Kedon Slovis

Slovis had a hard night and didn’t show Cougar Nation and the rest of college football what he showed the coaches in practice. He will need to step up his game and will also need to make quicker throws to keep the ball moving downfield. Slovis had two good drives last night and both ended in a touchdown. He was 20/33 for 145 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

BYU Kedon Slovis
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws a pass against Sam Houston State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Offensive Line

The offensive line was a disappointment last night. They had too many penalties and didn’t give Slovis many opportunities to extend plays. The line will need to make fewer mental errors to win games this season.