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Statistical Analysis: BYU vs. Nevada

BYU Offense

Called Plays: 102; Called Passes: 79; (63 attempts, 11 scrambles, 5 sacks); Called Runs: 23

 

Read Option:

BYU ran the read option 19 times against Nevada. Christian did not keep the ball once, pitched it 3 times for 2 yards, and handed it off 16 times for 113 yards. 87 of those yards came from Nate Carter on 7 carries, the remaining went to Paul Lasike, carrying the ball 9 times for 26 yards. Here is a complete rundown of the 19 read option plays:

1st Quarter: Give (Lasike 3), Pitch (Leslie 1), Give (Lasike 1)

2nd Quarter: Give (Carter 6), Give (Carter 8), Give (Lasike 4), Give (Carter 22), Give (Carter 11), Give (Lasike 9), Give (Lasike 5), Give (Carter 5)

3rd Quarter: Give (Carter 15), Give (Lasike 2), Pitch (Juergens 5), Give (Lasike 5), Give (Carter 20), Give (Lasike 4), Pitch (Houk -4)

4th Quarter: Give (Lasike 3)

 

Time in the Pocket:

Christian Stewart’s time in pocket on passes:

1st Quarter: 3.2 seconds

2nd Quarter: 3.3 seconds

3rd Quarter: 3.3 seconds

4th quarter: 3.1 seconds

Game avg: 3.2 seconds

Result: 10.46 yards per completion

 

Christian Stewart’s time in pocket before scrambling:

1st Quarter: 3.5 seconds

2nd Quarter: 3.7 seconds

3rd Quarter: 3.6 seconds

4th Quarter: 3.7 seconds

Game avg: 3.6 seconds

Result: 2.94 yards per scramble

 

How many UCF defenders rushed the QB?

On Christian Stewart Scrambles:

1st Quarter: (4+6+4+6)/4

2nd Quarter: (4+4)/2

3rd Quarter: (4+4)/2

4th Quarter: (4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4)/8

Game avg: 4.25 man rush

 

Ball Distribution:

1st Quarter: Christian Stewart: 9/19 passing for 121 yards, 4 rushes for 25 yards; Paul Lasike: 2 rushes for 4 yards and 1 TD, 1 reception for 7 yards (1 target); Algie Brown: 1 rush for 11 yards, 1 reception for 11 yards (1 target); Mitch Mathews: 3 receptions for 49 yards (5 targets); Jordan Leslie: 2 receptions for 18 yards (3 targets), 1 rush for 1 yard; Mitchell Juergens: 1 reception for 23 yards (2 targets); Devin Mahina: 1 reception for 13 yards (2 targets); Ross Apo: 1 target; Colby Pearson: 1 target; Kurt Henderson: 1 target; Terenn Houk: 1 target

 

2nd Quarter: Christian Stewart: 7/11 passing for 95 yards and 3 TDs, 2 rushes for 8 yards; Paul Lasike: 5 rushes for 22 yards, 2 receptions for 36 yards and 1 TD; Nate Carter: 5 rushes for 52 yards; Mitch Mathews: 3 receptions for 38 yards and 2 TDs (4 targets); Jordan Leslie: 1 reception for 10 yards (3 targets); Trey Dye: 1 reception for 4 yards (1 target); Ross Apo: 1 drop (1 target)

 

3rd Quarter: Christian Stewart: 9/14 passing for 79 yards, 2 rushes for 7 yards; Nate Carter: 2 rushes for 35 yards; Paul Lasike: 2 rushes for 11 yards, 1 target; Terenn Houk: 1 rush for -4 yards, 1 fumble; Mitch Mathews: 3 receptions for 36 yards (3 targets); Jordan Leslie: 3 receptions for 19 yards (4 targets); Mitchell Juergens: 2 receptions for 11 yards (4 targets), 1 rush for 5 yards; Colby Pearson: 1 reception for 13 yards (1 target); Kurt Henderson: 1 target

 

4th Quarter: Christian Stewart: 13/18 passing for 113 yards and 1 TD, 8 rushes for 8 yards, 2 fumbles; Paul Lasike: 2 rushes for 9 yards, 2 receptions for 26 yards (3 targets); Mitch Mathews: 7 receptions for 59 yards (7 targets); Keanu Nelson: 2 receptions for 13 yards and 1 TD (2 targets); Terenn Houk: 1 reception for 9 yards (1 target); Devin Mahina: 1 reception for 6 yards (1 target); Jordan Leslie: 3 targets; Colby Pearson: 1 target

 

Overall Offensive Analysis:

The offensive line did a great job setting the tone for the run game. While there were only 23 called runs, they were effective enough that BYU was able to run play-action effectively on a number of passing plays. Pass protection for the most part was great. Stewart had a lot of time to complete passes to his receivers. The only issue was in the 4th quarter where he was sacked 4 times, every one of these was a one-on-one match up which our OL lost. Overall, the tempo was good and Christian was able to settle in, go through his progressions, and get in his groove. I only noticed two big issues. First, Stewart was unable to hit receivers who had created separation with the deep ball. In order for BYU to start winning games again, he has to hit open receivers deep. The other issue was how Stewart was holding the football. When running the ball in open field, he needs to keep it high and tight to avoid fumbles. Mathews was unstoppable on the receiving end with 16 catches for 182 yards. Nate Carter stepped up big time when his team needed him and complemented Paul Lasike very well going for 87 yards on 7 carries.

 

BYU Defense

Statistical Leaders:

Michael Davis: 9 (8 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 2 PBU; Robertson Daniel: 6 solo tackles, 2 PBU; Bronson Kaufusi: 5 solo tackles, 2 TFL for -3 yards, 2 PBU; Kai Nacua: 4 (3 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 1 TFL for -4 yards; Travis Tuiloma: 3 solo tackles, 1 TFL for -1 yard; Harvey Jackson 3 solo tackles, 1 PBU; Graham Rowley: 2 solo tackles, 1 TFL for -1 yard; Michael Alisa: 1 solo tackle, 1 TFL, 1 Sack; Fred Warner: 1 PBU

 

Coverage Targets:

Michael Davis: 8/11, 2 PBU, 1 TD allowed (PBU, complete, PBU, complete zone, complete, complete, complete, incomplete, complete, complete, complete TD)

Kai Nacua: 1/2 (incomplete, complete)

Robertson Daniel: 5/6, 2 PBU, 1 2pt (PBU, complete, complete, complete zone, complete zone, complete 2pt, PBU)

Manoa Pikula: 1/1 (complete zone)

Bronson Kaufusi: 2/4, 2 PBU (PBU, PBU, complete, complete)

Skye PoVey: 3/3 (complete, complete, complete)

Harvey Jackson: 2/3, 1 PBU (PBU, complete, complete)

Michael Alisa: 1/1 (complete zone)

Jherremya Leuta-Douyere: 0/1 (incomplete)

Fred Warner: 0/1, 1 PBU (PBU)

Dallin Leavitt: 1/1 (complete)

Overall Defensive Analysis:

BYU struggled to stop Nevada from scoring. Nevada had three possessions with a short field (inside the 50) which all resulted in TD’s. Nevada consistently beat BYU on short passes like screens and swings, gaining a lot of yards after the catch. Another thing BYU needs to work on is wrapping up. There were a number of times that the play was contained inside and the middle linebackers missed the tackle and the offensive player was able to gain more yards. Containment was good for the most part, but there were still a handful of times that Fred Warner or Bronson Kaufusi could have contained Fajardo or Jackson but, because of the lack of not holding their assignment, the offensive players were able to go on for big gains. The CB’s did a good job of not getting “dirty eyes” (looking into the backfield) and staying focused on their receiver. While they were picked on, they didn’t give up any deep balls which was a huge improvement from the last two weeks. One thing that has consistently killed BYU the last few weeks is when they blitz the OLB from one side and either the MLB, CB, or S is supposed to come over and cover the zone, they are late to coverage and it goes for a completion. Fajardo especially picked on this because BYU was showing their blitzes too early. Whenever Fajardo clapped they would start to blitz. After the 1st Quarter, he picked up on this and would audible out once he picked up the blitzes. If one of the OLB’s showed blitz, the play was often changed to a dump pass in the flat for a gain between 5-10 yards.

2 Comments

  1. Sanpete

    October 21, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Helpful analysis. I kept expecting the D to change the play after they showed what it would be, or to stop biting on the clap. I didn’t see the first, and they didn’t always manage the second.

    Things looked better than the week before, and I hope the trend will continue.

    • Zak Hicken

      October 21, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Offense improved big time. Defense needs to be more assignment sound; stay in running lanes, contain the outside, and not get dirty eyes.