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Statistical Analysis: BYU vs. UNLV

BYU Offense

Called Plays: 73; Called Passes: 37 (32 attempts, 3 scrambles, 2 sacks); Called Runs: 36

Read Option:

BYU ran the read option 17 times in the game against UNLV. The Cougars were able to strike early using the second option with a pitch to Leslie. One thing that Christian does very well is distribute the ball in a variety of ways whether it is a give, pass, or pitch. Running the pitch was very effective scoring 2 TD’s on the 3 times BYU did that. Overall, the ball was given 11 times with a fairly even distribution between Paul, Algie, and Adam; Paul Lasike had 6 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown; Adam Hine had 5 read option carries for 34 yards; Jordan Leslie had the ball pitched twice for 33 yards and a touchdown; and Algie Brown got in once for 25 yards. Christian kept the ball once times for 25 yards and attempted two passes, one ended up as a scramble for a gain of 16, the other fell incomplete to Houk.

Number of read options (kept/given/pass/pitch):

1st: Give (Hine 1), Pass (incomplete Houk), Pitch (Leslie 30 TD), Give (Lasike 2)

2nd: Give (Lasike 4), Give (Hine 4), Give (Brown 25), Pitch (Lasike 4 TD)

3rd: Pitch (Leslie 3), Give (Lasike 31), Give (Lasike 0), Give (Lasike 9), Keep (25)

4th: Give (Hine -1), Give (Hine 5), Give (Hine 25), Pass (Scramble for gain of 16)

 

Time in the Pocket:

Christian Stewart’s time in pocket on passes:

1st Quarter: 3.59 seconds (43.1/12)

2nd Quarter: 4.13 seconds (24.8/6)

3rd Quarter: 3.45 seconds (41.4/12)

4th Quarter: 3.15 seconds (6.3/2)

Game avg: 3.61 seconds

Result: 18.1 yards per completion

 

Christian Stewart’s time in pocket before scrambling:

1st Quarter: 3.1 seconds

2nd Quarter: 3.6 seconds

3rd Quarter: 3.6 seconds

4th Quarter: 3 seconds (6/2)

Game avg: 3.26 seconds

Result: 2.6 yards per scramble

 

How many UNLV defenders rushed the QB?

On all Christian Stewart passes:

1st Quarter: (4+3+4+4+6+4+4+4+4+4+4+7)/12

2nd Quarter: (4+4+4+4+5+6)/6

3rd Quarter: (4+4+4+5+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4)/12

4th Quarter: (4+4)/2

Game avg: 4.25 man rush

 

On Christian Stewart scrambles:

1st Quarter: 5

2nd Quarter: 4

3rd Quarter: 6

4th Quarter: (7+4)/2

Game avg: 5.2 man rush

 

Ball Distribution

1st Quarter: Christian Stewart: 7/12 passing for 112 yards, 1 rush for -5 yards; Adam Hine: 2 rushes for 3 yards; Paul Lasike: 1 rush for 2 yards; Algie Brown: 1 rush for 1 yard; Trey Dye: 1 rush for -2 yards; Mitch Mathews: 2 receptions for 39 yards (3 targets); Colby Pearson: 1 reception for 34 yards (1 target); Terenn Houk: 1 reception for 16 yards (2 targets); Jordan Leslie: 1 reception for 9 yards, 1 drop, 1 rush for 30 yards and 1 TD (4 targets); Ross Apo: 1 reception for 13 yards (1 target); Mitchell Juergens: 1 reception for 11 yards (1 target)

2nd Quarter: Christian Stewart: 3/6 passing for 78 yards, 1 rush for 0 yards; Paul Lasike: 4 rushes for 20 yards and 2 TDs; Algie Brown: 3 rushes for 36 yards; Adam Hine: 1 rush for 4 yards; Mitch Mathews: 2 receptions 69 yards (3 targets); Jordan Leslie: 1 reception for 9 yards (2 targets); Mitchell Juergens: 1 drop (1 target)

3rd Quarter: Christian Stewart: 8/12 passing for 135 yards and 3 TDs, 2 rushes for 12 yards; Paul Lasike: 3 rushes for 48 yards, 1 reception for 26 yards and 1 TD (1 target); Adam Hine: 1 rush for 7 yards; Jordan Leslie: 3 receptions for 50 yards, 1 rush for 3 yards (4 targets); Mitch Mathews: 2 receptions for 22 yards and 1 TD, 1 drop (5 targets); Terenn Houk: 1 reception for 22 yards (1 target); Devin Mahina: 1 reception for 15 yards and 1 TD (1 target)

4th Quarter: Christian Stewart: 0/2 passing for 0 yards, 2 rushes for 31 yards; Nate Carter: 7 rushes for 55 yards; Adam Hine: 4 rushes for 32 yards; Algie Brown: 2 rushes for -5 yards; Terenn Houk: 1 drop (1 target)

 

Overall Offensive Analysis:

I know that UNLV isn’t a powerhouse by any means, but this was probably the best performance by the offensive line, and Christian Stewart this season. The OL only gave up two sacks, coming on overloaded blitzes of 5 and 6 men. They opened up holes, got to the second level and kept blocking up field. Credit also needs to go to Jordan Leslie and Terenn Houk, those two are so dangerous blocking on the edge, they get upfield and keep their guy out of the play, BYU is able to effectively run to the outside because of their ability. Christian made some great decisions with the football, throwing away the football when he needed to, taking advantage to scramble when there was an opportunity and making great reads throwing the ball. The biggest improvement was the deep ball, he gave receivers opportunities to make plays instead of throwing the ball over their heads. One thing that was interesting was seeing Michael Yeck wear 97, he was essentially used as a 6th lineman/tight end in goal line situations who was available to release if BYU chose to audible out of a run, and used as a blocker when BYU decided to run. This game against UNLV (and the next against Savannah State) will be nice tune ups to prepare for Cal.

 

BYU Defense

Statistical Leaders:

Bronson Kaufusi: 9 (8 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 3 TFL for -21 yards, 2 sacks; Kai Nacua: 5 (4 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 1 TFL for -1 yards, 1 PBU, 1 INT; Dallin Leavitt: 5 (4 solo-1 assisted) tackles; Jordan Preator: 4 solo tackles, 3 PBU; Skye PoVey: 4 (3 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 1 PBU; Robertson Daniel; 2 solo tackles, 2 PBU; Michael Alisa: 2 (1 solo-1 assisted) tackles, 1 QBH; Logan Taele: 1 solo tackle, 1 PBU, 1 QBH; Graham Rowley: 1 solo tackle, 1 TFL for -8 yards, 1 sack

Coverage Targets:

Bronson Kaufusi: 1/2 (incomplete, complete)

Rob Daniel: 2/8, 2 PBU (incomplete, incomplete, PBU, complete, incomplete, PBU, incomplete, complete zone)

Jordan Preator: 5/13, 3 PBU (complete zone, complete, incomplete, incomplete, PBU, complete zone, PBU, complete, incomplete, complete, incomplete, incomplete, PBU)

Dallin Leavitt: 2/2 (complete, complete)

Harvey Jackson: 1/2, 1 PI (PI, complete zone, incomplete zone)

Fred Warner: 0/1 (incomplete)

Kai Nacua: 1/4, 1 PBU, 1 INT (INT, incomplete, PBU, complete zone)

Logan Taele: 0/1, 1 PBU (PBU)

Skye PoVey: 1/2, 1 PBU (PBU, complete)

Craig Bills: 1/1, 1 TD (complete zone TD)

Remington Peck: 0/1, 1 PBU (PBU)

Screen Pass: 5/6 (complete, complete, complete, incomplete, complete, complete)

 

Overall Defensive Analysis:

There were moments of brilliance, and moments that were plain awful. BYU’s pass defense played what was possibly their best game since playing UCONN in the beginning of the season. This was a team effort with the DL getting some great pressure and the DB’s playing great coverage. Putting the best athletes on the field has made a HUGE difference, having Rob Daniel and Harvey Jackson on the same side of the field is dangerous, it basically locks down the wide side of the field. Jordan Preator has continued to improve, drastically. Kai Nacua made some great plays by getting over the top and helping in coverage, one resulting in an INT, the other in a PBU. As I said, the DL did a great job pressuring the QB (taking Decker out of the game) but the front 7 struggled against the run, Murray-Lawrence rushed for a career high 143 yards, including a long 68 yard TD run where it seems that he broke a tackle against all 11 of our defenders. The defense did a great job in defending short field situations resulting from turnovers, and held UNLV to 3 FG’s in which they started in BYU territory. Their two TD drives were both longer than 60 yards. While it was nice to see BYU step up in their own territory, they have to cut down on long TD drives, especially against a team like UNLV.