Tracking the momentum of the Brigham Young Cougars’ game
against Hawaii
was easy. BYU got it early and it never went back to Hawaii . Just how early did BYU gain
momentum? The very first offensive play of the game.
Mo Moment 1
BYU received the opening kickoff and returned the ball to
the 23-yard line. On the first play of the game, true freshman Taysom Hill,
making his first career start, dropped back to pass. A Hawaii defender came off the corner
untouched and was ready to sack Hill. However, Hill saw the defender and dumped
the ball off to Zed Mendenhall for a gain of eight yards.
Momentum swing! Hill passed his first test successfully. No
doubt that was a confidence booster for Hill and the BYU offense. An incomplete
pass and BYU is facing 2nd and 10. A sack would have put BYU in a
really bad situation very early. It is also possible that Hill fumbles the ball
and Hawaii
recovers. By completing that pass, that first play went from being a potential drive killer to a key in BYU scoring a touchdown on the drive.
Mo Moment 2
Although BYU scored
on its first possession, the Cougars were unable to start running away with the
game. Midway through the second quarter, it was a 14-0 game. All Hawaii needed was one
big play to completely change the feeling of the game. With 6:16 till halftime
a big play was made, but it was BYU’s Taysom Hill who made it. Hill raced
68-yards for a touchdown.
Momentum boost! Hill had had success running the ball on Hawaii already (7 rush, 50 yards), but this play cemented
the fact that Hawaii
had no answer for Hill running the ball. He had also been pretty successful
passing the ball to this point. With the score now 20-0, BYU was flying high,
but the Hawaii
sideline had most of the little remaining air knocked out of them.
Mo Moment 3
The third quarter opened with BYU still holding a 20-0 lead.
The Cougars kicked off to the Warriors. On the second play of the drive, Kyle Van
Noy came off the right edge on a blitz. He dodged one defender and hit the
quarterback as he was preparing to throw the ball. The impact of the hit was so
great, the ball went flying backwards. BYU recovered at the two-yard line. Two
plays later, BYU scored a touchdown for a 27-0 lead.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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