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BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick fondly remembers the Cougars’ 28-25 victory over the then number one. 14 Boise State two years ago on a cold, rainy night in Provo, and not just because the win ended a three-game skid and allowed head coach Kalani Sitake to win his first contract extension.
This is the game where BYU’s offensive coaching staff – Jeff Grimes was the offensive coordinator and Roderick was the passing game coordinator, but had played a larger role in the game – decided to throw caution to the wind. and rain, and become more aggressive.
“We had lost to South Florida and Toledo and reached a point where we decided we couldn’t continue to maintain that (strategy) to stay on schedule – 4 yards here, 4 yards there – and have a drive. 14 games to get a touchdown. It’s hard to do, ”said Roderick.
So the Cougars, who were also struggling with quarterback injuries at the time, having gone from Zach Wilson to Jaren Hall to Baylor Romney in the span of four football quarterbacks, got creative offensively.
They turned the tide on the undefeated Broncos, who are known to use as much gimmick play as any program in the country, and used some deception to score touchdowns on 39- and 27-yard passes from Romney to tight end Matt Bushman to take a 28-10 lead, then held on as BSU rallied.
“We started to find ways to be more aggressive, whether it was throwing the ball on the pitch or getting creative with our staff, mixing up any game of stuff, whatever it was,” said Roderick. “We just decided we had to be more aggressive and let it rip.”
The victory started a 20-3 run for BYU, and it was largely because of this ability to make explosive plays that the Cougars went 11-1 last year with Wilson starting all 12 and 5 games. -0 this year with Hall starting the first three before suffering rib bruises in the 27-17 win over Arizona State and Romney starting the next two before suffering an apparent concussion in the first half of a 34- 20 against Utah State.
“As we spent more time on offense, our players learned the system better. We now have experienced players, ”Roderick told Deseret News on Wednesday. “If you combine that with your aggressiveness and your ability to lead football, explosive games have a chance to happen.”
More will be needed on Saturday, even if the tables have been reversed for two years. BYU are now the undefeated, No.10 nationally-ranked team, while the Broncos are 2-3 and come off a 41-31 loss to Nevada on their blue home ground.
Kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally by ABC (Ch. 4 in the Salt Lake City market). Boise State’s defense has struggled, but their offense is more explosive than ever, even without a lot of running play. The Broncos are 127th nationally (out of 130 FBS teams) in attacking rushing with 74.6 yards per game.
“They have a good quarterback and a lot of very good receivers and good running backs,” BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki said Tuesday. “They have the ability to score a lot of points. It’s a little different from the Boise we’ve faced over the past five years, as far as the scheme goes. But they’ve certainly shown that they have the staff who can push the ball onto the pitch. “
Of course, the big question for Provo this week has been which of the three-quarterbacks who have played for the Cougars this season will start against Boise State, anxious for revenge and revenge. BYU crushed BSU 51-17 last year for their first win over Boise State in Boise, then stayed and took pictures of themselves on the blue turf, an act that angered the Broncos.
In the last media session of the week on Wednesday, Roderick told reporters that no one had been left out.
“Jacob, Jaren, Baylor, Sol-Jay (Maiava-Peters) are all here to get reps as always,” Roderick said. “We have a pretty good system here to give reps to everyone. … I will say that Jaren is closer than Baylor right now. But so far they haven’t told me that no one can play.
Roderick said the coaches will likely make a decision after practice on Thursday, the last big physical training of the week. He downplayed the difficulty the Cougars now find themselves in quarterback.
“It’s part of the deal,” he said. “It’s training. Like I said, right now all are available as far as I know. So we’re really not at the end of the line at the moment. It is as if we are getting healthier – not less healthy. “
Hall and Romney apparently give the Cougars a better chance for a big play – Hall’s longest pass this season was 67 yards and Romney’s was 55 – but Roderick said Conover was not asked to throw deep. in the second half against the Aggies when he was 5 years old. of 9 for 45 yards with a length of 16.
“I was a little more conservative (in the second half),” said Roderick. “It really had nothing to do with Jacob. I would have been conservative with anyone at the quarterback. When you’re back in your own territory with a two-point lead and you’re third and 12, we’re going to pass the ball and run it. It’s just part of the game.
Especially when you have Tyler Allgeier, who has established himself as the Cougars’ most explosive player, with 607 versatile yards and seven touchdowns. Receiver Neil Pau’u has four touchdowns, while wide receiver Gunner Romney and tight end Isaac Rex have three each.
“I feel like we trust Jacob as much as we do in Baylor or Jaren. These three quarterbacks are great quarterbacks and they’re going to play really well no matter who’s playing. We’re going to help them, ”Rex said. “We’re going to make parts for them. The O line will continue to block for them. Receivers and tight ends will block and play. The ball carriers will obviously be playing games. Whoever is in there, we will help and support. “
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