Oct 18, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Younger Cougars defensive finish Tyler Batty (92) encourages followers to cheer towards the Oklahoma State Cowboys through the fourth quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Rob Grey-Imagn Pictures BYU will face a brand new defensive dilemma towards UCF on Saturday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.
The No. 11 Cougars (7-0, 4-0 Large 12) struggled to cease lengthy operating performs of their 38-35 victory over Oklahoma State final week. BYU allowed the Cowboys to hurry for a season-high 269 yards whereas averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Oklahoma State’s earlier excessive was 149 dashing yards in its season opener towards South Dakota State.
For the Cougars, it marked the second time in 4 video games they’ve allowed an opponent to generate not less than 200 yards on the bottom.
“This protection does not normally hand over very many massive performs, however we gave up two massive runs that price us about 50 yards every,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake mentioned. “The massive performs have been missed assignments that we will repair. That occurs typically. However I feel that minimizing the large performs is what we’re good at. We’re going to return to that.”
UCF won’t make it straightforward to cease the run. The Knights (3-4, 1-3) lead the Large 12 with a median of 280.3 dashing yards per recreation. They common practically 6 yards per carry and have 19 touchdowns on the bottom.
RJ Harvey leads the league with 890 yards and 11 touchdowns on 6.7 yards per carry. He is fifth within the nation in yards gained.
Nonetheless, BYU has different methods to make it exhausting for the Knights to maneuver the ball. The Cougars’ protection has generated 16 turnovers by seven video games — tied for fourth amongst FBS groups. Ten gamers have made an interception for the Cougars this season, with Tanner Wall and Jakob Robinson main the best way with two apiece.
BYU additionally ranks fourth nationally in go effectivity protection (94.74).
That is dangerous information for a UCF squad that generates 185.3 passing yards per recreation and has given up eight turnovers in 4 Large 12 video games. Nonetheless, the Cougars aren’t taking the Knights with no consideration.
“Their document doesn’t communicate for a way good of a soccer crew they’re,” BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff mentioned. “They’re in all probability the very best 3-4 soccer crew within the nation and possibly quite a bit higher than plenty of (groups) who’ve higher information than them.”
UCF hopes for a win this week after developing quick in an upset bid towards then-No. 9 Iowa State — the Knights’ fourth consecutive loss after beginning the season 3-0.
The Knights fell 38-35 to the Cyclones after blowing an eight-point lead late within the fourth quarter. It was a tricky finish to a recreation by which UCF racked up 354 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom whereas averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
“We had alternatives, actually, in all three phases to shut the sport out,” UCF coach Gus Malzahn mentioned. “We bought to discover a technique to take that subsequent step. I’ll say we did enhance this recreation. Performed one in all our greatest video games, so that is what we will give attention to.”
BYU leads the all-time collection 2-1. The Cougars beat UCF 49-23 when the groups final met within the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl. This will likely be their first assembly as members of the Large 12.
–Area Degree Media