For the last year, expectations for BYU Football have been high. That was until they faced Sam Houston State.
BYU took on the Sam Houston BearKats, a team playing its first game at the FBS level. Expected to win by a large margin, BYU came away with an underwhelming 14-0 win.
Many fans immediately hit the panic button, posting their grievances on social media. Here’s why we shouldn’t panic-yet.
First Game Jitters
For most colleges, the first football game of the year isn’t good. Mistakes are abundant, resulting in losses or victories that aren’t pretty.
BYU Football is no exception, as they proved in this game with the offense. Sloppy play and penalties cost BYU two first downs, ending two promising drives. The offensive line failed to block, leaving Kedon Slovis to run for his life.
The other issue BYU was facing was over 20 players left or joined the program over the last year. Including freshman, over 60 new faces joined BYU football this season. Every position was affected, from the offensive line to the safeties. Among the players who transferred in was starting quarterback Kedon Slovis.
It’ll take time to wield them into an effective team. BYU will have to do it quickly as they face Arkansas in two weeks.
Kedon Slovis: Consistency
Kedon Slovis came to BYU football with a lot of experience and unknowns around him. He had an amazing first year at USC, but various issues have contributed to a slow decline in performance over his collegiate career.
Lost in all the chatter about how bad BYU football was that Slovis did make some good throws. With 8:25 left in the first quarter, the offense needed ten yards. After the ball was snapped, the offensive line blocked well and a receiver was open.
Slovis threw to Darius Lasseter (Colorado transfer) who was covered by two defenders. Slovis slipped the ball into an NFL-sized window, squeezing the ball between the Sam Houston defenders. The result of the play was an 18-yard gain.
Slovis does have the talent to be an efficient quarterback. If Slovis can make throws more consistently, he’ll improve.
Block The Rushers
The offensive line play was underwhelming. There were times when the boys in the trenches blocked well. But they also let Sam Houston defenders get to Slovis when they only rushed three.
BYU Football’s starting offensive line was Paul Maile, Connor Pay, Kingsley Saumataia, Weylin Lapuahoo, and Caleb Etienne. Of these five starters, four transferred in from other institutions.
BYU Football had to start over as most of the 2022’s offensive line graduated or transferred (two are in the NFL). New offensive lines take time to learn to play together.
The offensive line did have its moments. With 14:17 in the third quarter, Sam Houston rushed four at Kedon. The line gave Slovis enough time to fit the ball into a tight window to Isaac Rex for an 11-yard gain.
Late in the third quarter, the line improved and blocked well for LJ Martin. With the freshman running back powering the offense, BYU football was able to march down the field to score the second touchdown of the game.
The offensive line should improve as the season goes on as they learn to work together as a unit. If they don’t, it will be a long season.
Find Openings
The receivers and running backs were supposed to be a strength for this season. But two of BYU football’s best receivers didn’t play. Keanu Hill and Kody Epps, considered to be among BYU’s best receivers, missed the game due to unspecified reasons.
BYU’s top three running backs are LJ Martin, Aidan Robbins, and Deion Smith. Robbins began as the starting running back. His most impressive run was at 11:17 in the first quarter, where he ran for a 10-yard gain.
Robbins had more difficulty after that and finished the game with only 23 yards. Deion Smith struggled to find any headway with only two negative yards to his credit.
LJ Martin stole the show. Inserted late in the third quarter, he provided the spark BYU football needed. During BYU’s last touchdown drive, he ran three times for ten or more yards. He would finish with 91 yards by the end of the game, cementing himself as a starter this year.
BYU does have hope for these players. BYU’s best receivers didn’t play, and Aidan Robbins did do well in the first quarter. If these two groups can improve, BYU’s offense should be more potent this season.
There is Still Hope
For many fans, it already looks bad. But many of the issues that afflicted BYU are fixable. BYU has another game on the schedule they can use for improvements against Southern Utah (who plays in the FCS).
The next team they face is Arkansas, who beat BYU last year 52-35. If BYU doesn’t improve, it’ll be a long season for the team and fans.
Articles & Videos Cited
(129) BYU Football vs Sam Houston Highlights | 2023 – YouTube
Freshman LJ Martin Provided a Spark the BYU Offense Desperately Needed (msn.com)
Defense excels, offense not so much in BYU’s 14-0 win over Sam Houston | KSL.com
Sam Houston 0-14 BYU (Sep 2, 2023) Play-by-Play – ESPN
BYU Releases Week 1 Depth Chart for Sam Houston Game – Vanquish The Foe