BYU fights hard but loses @ UCF

Ending up to being an overall team effort with Christian Stewart as QB, BYU sadly lost a strong fight 31-24 in overtime against UCF over in Orlando, Florida last night Thursday, October 9, 2014.This brings them down to a 4-2 record. On Sunday we will find out if they drop further in the rankings or not.

In the first half the offense under Christian Stewart looked rusty. Stewart was working at finding the groove he needed while the defense were keeping UCF (University of Central Florida) at 10 points. At the end of the first half, Stewart got the offense down the field to score a field goal and make it 10-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, Stewart led the offense to three passing touchdowns to make the game 24-3. Then, the UCF stepped up and kept BYU from scoring in the fourth quarter while their offense made it a tie game 24-24. With two tries of a field goal for UCF in the last minute of the game, there was a problem with the snap the first try and Mitch Mathews (tall wide receiver for BYU) jumped up and tipped the second try. None of them made it through. In overtime, UCF scored first with a touchdown, then as Stewart threw the touchdown pass on fourth down, an easy pass interference penalty occurred and was uncalled as BYU got an incompletion and lost the game 31-24.

It was another tough night as BYU lost to UCF. It wasn't as tough as when Taysom Hill broke his leg, but it was tough because even if Stewart and BYU put up a good fight, they lost the game. Various players, including Stewart himself, said afterwards that this loss was tough, and that they are ready to win next week against Nevada.

With the learning experience and huge improvement BYU showed during the game, I personally believe they are ready to make an undefeated finish to the season. After watching how they played last night, I believe that they have the determination and skills to do it. One amazing thing was that with 5 injured starters out due to last week's game, and four more starters having to sit out last night due to injuries obtained during the game or before, the second string players performed very well...especially on defense (which is where the majority of the injured starters normally play). The only weakness I saw was special teams. So if they can fix that during this next week and keep improving in the other two aspects of the game, they will be a tough contender. It is tough and sad to see Taysom Hill be out for the rest of the season, but I believe Stewart is very capable in skills and leadership to take up the reigns and lead BYU to victory.

BYU plays their next game against an experienced dual-threat QB vs. Nevada in Provo on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 8:15 PM MST on ESPN2. There will be the usual pre- and post-game shows on BYUtv.

Here are some quick stats from the game:
PASSING/RECEIVING (153 total yards)
Christian Stewart (QB): 22 completions of 37 attempts (59.5%), 3 TOUCHDOWNS, threw to 9 different players, longest pass was 19 yards, 1 interception, 2 sacks
Devin Mahina (TE): 4 catches for 46 yards, 2 TOUCHDOWNS, longest reception was 15 yards
Jordan Leslie (WR): 4 catches for 21 yards
Mitch Mathews (WR): 3 catches for 24 yards, longest reception was 13 yards
Colby Pearson (WR): 3 catches for 22 yards, 1 TOUCHDOWN, longest reception was 9 yards
Mitchell Jurgens (WR): 3 catches for 14 yards
Paul Lasike (RB): 1 catch for 19 yards, longest reception of the game for BYU
Other players with catches: Algernon Brown (RB), Keanu Nelson (WR), and Adam Hine (RB)

RUSHING (189 total net yards (total yards is 212; lost yards due to sacks and tackles-for-loss))
Algernon Brown (RB): 80 net yards with 5.0 average, longest rush was 10 yards
Christian Stewart (QB): 52 net yards with 4.0 average (65 total yards), longest rush was 20 yards
Paul Lasike (RB): 51 net yards with 4.3 average, longest rush was 13 yards
Other players with rushes: Adam Hine (RB), Mitchell Jurgens (WR), and Jamaal Williams (RB)

DEFENSIVE (78 total (48 solo) tackles; 2 sacks; 2 interceptions; 2 fumbles recovered; 2 forced fumbles)
Robertson Daniel (DB): 10 total (7 solo) tackles, 2 passes broken up
Kai Nacua (DB): 7 total (6 solo) tackles, 1 pass broken up, 1 INTERCEPTION for 15 yards
Fred Warner (LB): 6 total (4 solo) tackles
Skye PoVey (DB): 6 total (3 solo) tackles, 1 INTERCEPTION for 15 yards
Harvey Langi (LB): 5 total (4 solo) tackles
Travis Tuiloma (DL): 5 total (4 solo) tackles, 3 tackles for loss for 4 yards
Manoa Pikula (LB): 5 total (2 solo) tackles
Michael Davis (DB): 4 total (4 solo) tackles
Sione TakiTaki (LB): 2 total (2 solo) tackles, 2 SACKS, 2 tackles for loss for 18 yards, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hits
Bronson Kafusi (LB): 2 total tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss for 1 yard, 1 QB hit
Graham Rowley (DL): 1 total (1 solo) tackle, 1 pass broken up
Logan Taele (DL): 1 pass broken up, 1 QB hit
Harvey Jackson (DB): 1 pass broken up
Mitch Mathews (WR): 1 field goal tipped!!!

KICKING
Trevor Samson (K): 1 for 1 on field goals, longest FG was 32 yards, 3 for 3 on extra points

PUNTING
Scott Arellano (P): 436 yards with 43.5 average, longest punt was 59 yards; Arellano is currently tied for #19 on longest punt for 65 yards in the FBS division of college football; Arellano is #27 on average yards per punt at 44.4 yards.