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| Corbin Kaufusi (90) blocks a McNeese State field goal in the second quarter (Isaac Hale, Daily Herald). |
On a weekend when Old Dominion gave highly ranked Virginia Tech a beating, Oklahoma needed overtime to beat Army, and four other ranked teams lost by double digits, it is hard to complain about the BYU Cougars beating McNeese State 30-3. Especially when the Cougars moved up five spots in the AP poll to set up a top 20 matchup this Saturday at Washington. However, BYU must play much better if it's going to pull off another top 10 upset on the road in Seattle.
The Cougar defense played great, actually, allowing just 207 total yards (73 rushing) and forcing four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles). They didn't allow the Cowboys to convert a single third down (0-10).
The BYU offense, on the other hand, was sloppy. There's something about schools from Louisiana and the 50-yard line. Last year, BYU didn't cross midfield the entire game against LSU. The Cougars repeated that feat for the first quarter on Saturday.
McNeese State moved the ball well for the first 15 minutes scoring its only points of the game to take a 3-0 lead. Each of its first four drives ended in BYU territory.
BYU fumbled on a reverse to kill one drive, and turned the ball over on another fumble in the first quarter.
McNeese State lined up for its third field goal attempt of the game with 11:38 to play in the second quarter. Corbin Kaufusi blocked the kick, which Troy Warner scooped up and returned 35 yards to the McNeese State 44-yard line.
All four of BYU's drives in the second quarter started in McNeese State territory.
That big special teams play changed the game. The Cougar offense pounded the ball at the Cowboys. Squally Canada got four carries, and Lopini Katoa two on the eight play drive. Katoa's second carry was a four-yard touchdown that gave BYU the lead for good, 7-3.
Meanwhile, McNeese State was completely self-destructing.
Tanner Jacobson intercepted a pass on the Cowboys' next drive to give BYU the ball just 31 yards away from the end zone. The Cougars quickly turned that into seven points.
BYU fumbled the McNeese punt on the next series, which the Cowboys recovered, but that play was nullified by a holding penalty. On the re-kick, Michael Shelton returned the punt 21 yards. Two big runs from Canada and Katoa turned into seven more points for BYU.
With less than a minute to play before halftime, Shelton forced a Cowboy fumble. Sawyer Powell was there to recover for BYU. That allowed the Cougars to add a field goal before the break.
BYU led 24-3 after the explosive second quarter.
BYU added two field goals in the third quarter. The Cougars should have had a touchdown on the opening drive of the half, but Tanner Mangum's perfect pass on third and goal was dropped at the goal line.
A Rhett Sandlin interception set up the final score.
BYU had another fumble that would have been recovered by McNeese State, but the Cowboys jumped offsides negating that play.
Much of the fourth quarter, BYU used backup quarterback Zach Wilson. He made his first career pass completion for 12 yards to Gunner Romney.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Kaufusi's blocked field goal that Warner returned 35 yards.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Michael Shelton - 6 tackles (team high), 1 forced fumble; 2 punt returns, 29 yards.
NEXT: Saturday, September 29, at Washington.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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