BYU has a double loss vs. Utah State

Concluding to be a solemn, sad night, BYU lost to Utah State at home in Provo last Friday, October 3, 2014 with a score of 35-20. They have fallen in rankings to be ranked #31 in the AP Top 25 and have a current season record of 4-1.

When I said a "double loss" in the title of this post, I meant not only the loss of the game but also of the loss of Taysom Hill. Taysom Hill started out strong by being responsible for the only two touchdowns scored in the game by BYU. On the first series, he started with a throw to Jordan Leslie for 53 yards and finished with a rush and a hurdle into the end zone to take an early lead. His other touchdown was a pass to Mitch Mathews. Near the end of the second half, Taysom Hill had a Utah State defender fall on his lower leg/ankle which fractured his fibula. He was taken off the field and taken for x-rays. He received a surgery the next morning, and it has been announced that he is out for the rest of the season. It is hard to see that happen to him, because he has been an amazing leader to the team guiding them through their first four wins. Plus, he was a possible Heisman candidate this season.

After his season-ending injury, Christian Stewart took over as quarterback and had a difficult time closing a deficit which extended to 28-14 at halftime. With only two field goals scored for BYU in the second half, BYU lost 35-20.

Penalties were still a problem, and the defense had troubles with pass protection, stopping the rush, and missed tackles. In the past games this season, the team had a lot of penalties but they had a true playmaker in Taysom Hill to make up for those. With the loss of Hill, Stewart just wasn't able to close that deficit.

With some days for Christian Stewart to get more ready to play and for the defense to clean up their weaknesses from the Utah State game, BYU should be able to get a win versus UCF (University of Central Florida) on Thursday. Let's go BYU!!!

They play their next game this Thursday, October 9, 2014 @ UCF in Orlando, Florida at 5:30 PM MST (7:30 Eastern) on ESPN. There will be the usual pre- and post-game shows on BYUtv.

Also additionally, if you want to watch interviews, etc..., go to this YouTube channel link: BYUtv Sports!

Here are some quick stats:
PASSING/RECEIVING (271 total yards)
Taysom Hill (QB): 8 completions of 11 attempts (72.7%; 99 total yards), longest pass was 53 yards, 1 TOUCHDOWN, 178.33 efficiency
Christian Stewart (QB): 10 completions of 29 attempts (34.5%; 172 total yards), longest pass was 41 yards, 3 interceptions, 63.61 efficiency
Mitch Mathews (WR): 8 catches for 117 yards, longest reception was 28 yards, 1 TOUCHDOWN
Jordan Leslie (WR): 4 catches for 135 yards, longest reception was 53 yards
Other players with catches: Terenn Houk (WR), Paul Lasike (RB), Adam Hine (RB), Jamaal Williams (RB)

RUSHING (154 total net yards (yards were lost due to 2 sacks; total yards is 174)
Jamaal Williams (RB): 102 yards with 6.4 average, longest rush was 20 yards
Taysom Hill (QB): 1 TOUCHDOWN, 32 yards with 4.0 average (10 yards lost), longest rush was 12 yards, 1 lost fumble
Other players with rushes: Christian Stewart (QB), Paul Lasike (RB), Algernon Brown (RB)

DEFENSIVE (71 total (51 solo) tackles; 1 sack; Utah State lost a fumble)
Craig Bills (DB): 9 total (8 solo) tackles
Alani Fua (LB): 6 total (4 solo) tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss for 1 yard
Fred Warner (LB): 5 total (5 solo) tackles, 1 tackle for loss for 7 yards
Dallin Leavitt (DB): 5 total (4 solo) tackles
Manoa Pikula (LB): 5 total (3 solo) tackles, 1 tackle for loss for 2 yards
Marques Johnson (DL): 4 total (4 solo) tackles
Jherremya Leuta-Douyere (LB): 4 total (3 solo) tackles
Remington Peck (DL): 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss for 3 yards
Robertson Daniel (DB): 3 total (2 solo) tackles, 1 pass broken up
Bronson Kafusi (LB): 3 total (2 solo) tackles, 2 passes broken up, 1 QB hit
Zac Stout (LB): 2 total (2 solo) tackles, 2 tackles for loss for 4 yards
Jordan Johnson (DB): 2 total (2 solo) tackles, 1 tackle for loss for 1 yard

KICKING
Trevor Samson (K): 2 for 2 on field goals, longest FG was 41 yards, 2 for 2 on extra points

PUNTING
Scott Arellano (P): 146 yards with 36.5 average, 2 out of 4 punts within the 20 yard line, longest was 43 yards