BYU has Tough Loss in Miami Beach Bowl

In a tough-fought game, BYU lost their bowl game of the season in the Miami Beach Bowl game against Memphis. The final score was 48-55 in double overtime. It was played yesterday, Monday, December 22, 2014, and they now have an overall record of 8-5.

It was a well fought game. The offense had good drives and the defense had good stops. The offense and defense was also generally good for Memphis too. There were fumbles and interceptions caused by both teams but with BYU having one less turnover. In total yards BYU and Memphis were pretty even with BYU having 425 total yards and Memphis having 480 total yards. BYU and Memphis both converted all 4th down conversions. BYU had more passing yards than Memphis but less rushing yards. BYU was 3 for 3 on Red Zone scoring whereas Memphis was 6 for 7. BYU defense had the only defensive touchdown off of a sweet interception near the end of the game.

There were a lot of good things that happened which I pointed out. Christian Stewart was roughed up quite a bit with 2 sacks and many other hits. At one point it looked like he was sit out and McCoy Hill was going to take over, but Stewart was able to get back out on the field to finish the rest of the game. I think he showed great strength in order to try to get the win for his team. Other offensive players with big games were Algernon Brown, Paul Lasike, Mitch Mathews, Jordan Leslie, and Mitchell Juergens. They all performed with great strength when it was needed of them. There were many defensive players with big games too. You can look at the stats below but some of them were Zac Stout, Alani Fua, Travis Tuiloma, and Harvey Jackson. And all those names are just naming a few out of many who executed when they needed to to keep BYU in the game.

Some of the weaknesses BYU showed were the snaps to Christian Stewart. I don't know what happened there, but there were at least 5 or 6 of them where Christian Stewart showed up to keep those loose balls from being turnovers. Also there were still tackling issues from the defense and special teams. Both the BYU and Memphis quarterbacks (Stewart and Lynch) threw some questionable passes that were intercepted. But regardless of those weaknesses, I think BYU overall did a good job against a good defense and overall good team in Memphis.

They have things they can sharpen up over this break before next fall. Seniors like Christian Stewart, Alani Fua, Craig Bills, and Paul Lasike will be leaving on their own paths, but superb players like Taysom Hill, Jamaal Williams, Bronson Kaufusi, and Mitch Mathews will be returning to help BYU play against one of their toughest schedules yet. They will need them all and others in full health as they battle teams like Nebraska, Missouri, Boise State, Utah State, and Michigan. It is sad to see the seniors leave but they will for sure move on to bigger and better things ranging from jobs from their majors or going to the NFL. We will find out in the first half of next year who decides to try for the NFL. As far as I know, no one has declared yet if they will do it or not, but I'm sure at least a few are thinking of it.

Here's to a tough but overall winning 8-5 season. Injuries were major challenges this year but they were able to overcome them to win their last 4 regular season games after a 4-game losing streak. Here's to another good season next year with at least a couple of NFL prospects returning for their last years at BYU. Let's go BYU Cougars!

With the season and post-season over, BYU football will have spring and fall practices (during the summer) before their first game of next season (2015). That game will be played against Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. I'll probably post during the summer my opinion of the upcoming 2015 season lineup.

Here are some quick stats from the game:
PASSING/RECEIVING (348 total yards; 3 touchdowns; 15.1 average yards per catch)
Christian Stewart (QB): 23 completions for 48 attempts (47.9%); 3 TOUCHDOWNS; 7.1 yards per passing attempt; 2 sacks; 3 interceptions; 2 fumbles (0 lost)
Mitch Mathews (WR): 82 yards with 9.1 average; 1 TOUCHDOWN; longest catch was 25 yards
Mitchell Juergens (WR): 87 yards with 21.8 average; 1 TOUCHDOWN; longest catch was 47 yards
Devin Mahina (TE): 54 yards with 27.0 average; longest catch was 41 yards
Terenn Houk (WR): 42 yards with 21.0 average; longest catch was 24 yards
Jordan Leslie (WR): 1 catch for 23 yards; 1 TOUCHDOWN
Other Players with catches: Devon Blackmon (WR; 1 for 14 yards); Adam Hine (RB; 1 for 11 yards); Keanu Nelson (WR; 1 for 9 yards); Algernon Brown  (RB; 1 for 7 yards)

RUSHING (77 net yards (117 total yards); 2 touchdowns)
Algernon Brown (RB): 79 net yards with 4.2 average; longest rush was 12 yards
Paul Lasike (RB): 11 net yards with 1.6 average; 2 TOUCHDOWNS; longest rush was 7 yards; 1 lost fumble
Mitchell Juergens (WR): 3 yards with 3.0 average
Adam Hine (RB): 0 net yards (1 yard gained and 1 yard lost)
Christian Stewart (QB): -11 net yards (30 lost; 19 gained); longest rush was 8 yards; -1.0 average

KICKING/PUNTING
Trevor Samson (K): 2 for 2 on field goals; longest field goal was 45 yards; 6 for 6 on extra points after touchdowns
Scott Arellano (P): 46.6 average yards per punt; longest punt was 56 yards

DEFENSIVE (88 total (77 solo) tackles; 1 sack; 6 passes broken up; 3 forced (4 total) fumbles(2 recovered fumbles); 6 tackles for loss for 25 yards; 2 QB Hits; 3 interceptions with a touchdown on one of them)
Skye PoVey (DB): 9 total (8 solo) tackles; 1 pass broken up; 1 tackle for loss for 1 yard
Michael Davis (DB): 8 total (8 solo) tackles; 1 pass broken up
Logan Taele (DL): 8 total (4 solo) tackles; 1 QB hit
Alani Fua (LB): 5 total (5 solo) tackles; 2 tackles for loss for 4 yards; 1 INTERCEPTION with a return of 37 yards
Bronson Kaufusi (LB): 4 total (4 solo) tackles; 1 SACK; 1 tackle for loss for 7 yards; 1 forced fumble
Kai Nacua (DB): 4 total (4 solo) tackles
Robertson Daniel (DB): 4 total (4 solo) tackles; 1 pass broken up
Travis Tuiloma (DL): 4 total (3 solo) tackles; 2 tackles for loss for 13 yards
Zac Stout (LB): 4 total (3 solo) tackles; 1 INTERCEPTION for return of 19 yards and 1 TOUCHDOWN
Chris Badger (DB): 4 total (1 solo) tackles
Harvey Jackson (DB): 3 total (3 solo) tackles; 2 passes broken up; 1 QB hit
Manoa Pikula (LB): 3 total (1 solo) tackles; 1 INTERCEPTION with return of 2 yards
Other players with Forced Fumbles: Va'a Niumatalolo (LB; 1) and Graham Rowley (DL; 1)
Other players with Passes Broken Up: Michael Alisa (LB; 1)