BYU (1-2) vs. Central Florida (2-1)
Friday, September 23th, 2011 | 8:00 PM EST (TV: ESPN)
LaVell Edwards Stadium
Kyle Van Noy - LB BYU
It’s not often that teams from the state of Florida come visit the Cougars in Provo, Utah. Central Florida will be only the third one ever, which will be the furthest west the Knights have ever traveled to play a football game (they did play in the ’05 Hawaii Bowl, but that’s more “paradise” than it is “west”). The Knights are coming off of their most successful season in school history – winning their second conference championship, their first bowl game, and finished in the Top 25 for the first time ever. Speaking of firsts, this rare Friday game will be the first of two meetings between BYU and Central Florida; the second will take place in 2014 when the Cougars will visit the Knights in Orlando. While many like to point out the altitude as a factor in this game, it should be a non-issue. The only way location becomes a factor is if a wintry snowstorm rolls into Provo in late September.
Both BYU and Central Florida are coming off losses to in-state rivals. While the Knights lost to Florida International by a touchdown, BYU was destroyed by Utah 54-10. Not only did the Cougars set a BYU record with 7 turnovers, they also had their worst home loss since 2003. BYU is still trying to find their groove offensively under first year coordinator Brandon Doman. If they don’t put up at least 20-30 points there may be a riot in Provo. Thru three games the Cougars have only scored three offensive touchdowns and 40 total points. The Knights have not struggled too much offensively, but they will be attempting to throw their first touchdown pass of the season.
BYU Keys to Victory
#1 Run, Run, Run
The Cougars need to come out and be aggressive against UCF’s defensive line. BYU does a great job protecting QB Jake Heaps, but their run blocking has left much to be desired. The Cougars have a mere 145 TOTAL rushing yards this year and has been the Achilles heel of the offense. With such a ineffective rushing attack, defenses have been able to sit on passing routes and really get after Heaps. JJ DiLuigi and Josh Quezada need to hit the holes quickly and establish the run to set up the pass. UCF has the 13th ranked rush defense so far allowing 75 yards per game. BYU would be happy campers to get 75 yards, but they need to get much more.
#2 Prevent the Big Plays
The Knights can be very explosive on offense and special teams. Luckily for the Cougars, kicker Justin Sorenson returns; the Knight’s All-American return specialist Qunicy McDuffie may not get many chances to return a kick-off. In recent years, BYU has played with a “bend, but don’t break” style of defense, which has sometimes come back to bite them. In their blow-out loss last week the Cougars gave up several big plays to Utah including touchdown passes of 30and 59 yards to go with rushing touchdowns of 62 and 35 yards.
#3 Keep Scoring
In ’10, Central Florida outscored its opponents 131-30 in the first quarter, and every subsequent quarter for that matter. BYU had a similar trend, outscoring opponents 121-47 in the first, but then their scoring decreased to 89, 75, and 55 in quarters two through four, respectively. Central Florida is not going to lay off the gas and BYU needs to do the same. BYU has been able to move the ball but not put the ball in the end zone. Three touchdowns thru the first three games for a BYU offense is embarrassing.
#4 Contain Jeff Godfrey
The Cougars struggled with scrambling quarterbacks last year. In the first four games of 2010, the Cougars faced scramblers Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, and Colin Kaepernick – all selected in the first 36 picks in the NFL Draft this year. Last year the Knight’s sophomore quarterback Jeff Godfrey scrambled for more than 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. Godfrey is off to a good start this year with 200 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns already. BYU will be better prepared this year and have added USC transfer Uona Kaveinga to an already stellar core of linebackers. Jordan Pendelton may not be able to go this week but Kyle Van Noy is just as impressive. The Cougar defense has been solid during the first half of every game and then they fizzle out the longer they are on the field. The defense needs the offense to hold up their end of the bargain and have some long drives in the second half to give them a little rest.
Final Score
BYU 24 - Central Florida 17
Interest Level
3 (5-1 scale; 5 – can’t miss, 1 – watch re-runs of Simpsons, Seinfeld or Friends)
After last week’s dismal performance at home, LaVell Edwards Stadium probably won’t be at capacity. There is a great interest to see how BYU responds and Cougar fans are still anxious to see the offense come around. Many fans will most likely be out to dinner and a movie an watching the game recorded.
