My writing about Ohio State football prompted me to do the same for BYU. While Ohio is home and my home state, my faith and family make BYU a special place to me as well. It’s also a unique perspective being a BYU fan without ever having lived anywhere near Utah. Here are the points I make in my recaps about the Cougars from the Midwest. (Note: Sometimes if an award is not applicable it will be left out altogether.)

-Luke Staley Rusher of the Game –
-Austin Collie Receiver of the Game –
-Steve Young-Curtis Brown Dual Threat of the Game – In honor of Steve Young the passer and rusher and Curtis Brown the rusher and receiver, this goes to any player who excels in more than one aspect of the game.
-Payne Special Teams Player of the Game – Named after Mitch and Matt Payne it goes to the best Special Teams player of the game.
-Ty Detmer Heisman Play of the Game – Play of the game
-Andrew George-Jonny Harline Game Winning Play – Play that wins the game
-LaVell Edwards Call of the Game –
-Unga-Williams Run of the Game –
-Jorgensen-Herrmann Sack of the Game – Obviously the biggest QB takedown of the game is named after Jim Herrmann and Jan Jorgensen.
-Sikahema Special Teams Play of the Game – Named after Vai Sikahema, the national champion return man of the early 1980s. The play can be a crucial punt, kick, return, or block on special teams.
-Reynolds Block of the Game –
-Bart Oates Lineman of the Game –
-Van Noy Hit of the Game –
-Pitta TE Play of the Game –
-Beck-McMahon Throw of the Game –
-Steve Young Hall of Fame Moment of the Game –
-Kai Nacua Pick of the Game –
-Haka Moment of the Game: The moment that pumps you and Coach Sitake up the most!
-Taysom Hill Most Athletic Play of the Game – Most athletic play made of the game.
-Resume watch – Seeing how being BYU’s previous foes of the season are doing
-It Was Over When:
-Adjustments: Coaching problems or corrections
-Rise Again: Next game
-Heart of a Lion: Mountain Lion/Cougar, whoever played with the most heart.

View from the Midwest – BYU at South Florida

-Luke Staley-Tyler Allgeier Rushers of the Game: Christopher Brooks, Puka Nacua, and Lopini Katoa. These three were Cerberus for the Cougars and the three-headed monster did eat! Together they had 26 carries for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Not only were their stats strong but these three ran well on every touch. They played fast and strong and had good football IQs to hit holes to maximize their efforts and production. They lived up to the great tradition BYU has had of running the ball in the 21st Century.

-Steve Young-Curtis Brown Dual Threat of the Game: Puka Nacua. Nacua only played a little bit before exiting with what was reported to be a minor injury. Still, he had a massive impact on the game with his 75-yard jet sweep touchdown run, his five-yard jet sweep touchdown, and his 22-yard reception made him a threat whenever he touched the ball both in the passing and rushing game. Teams are now on notice to be aware of Puka Nacua wherever he lines up on the offense.

-Payne Special Teams Player of the Game: Jake “Old Reliable” Oldroyd. Was solid and hit both of his field goal attempts against South Florida. To the credit of BYU special teams, the wet and humid South Florida weather and rain-soaked field didn’t alter their play. It would have been understandable given the situation so it’s nice to see that the Cougars were ready and rose above it.

-Ty Detmer Heisman Play of the Game: I thought we were in for another delay after Puka Nacua’s jet sweep that was a lightning strike in the stadium. That sent things starting in a flash for BYU and without further delay! Puka Nacua was able to show off his speed on that play and I think he could play receiver for any school in the country and BYU is fortunate to have him. He may be the best BYU receiver since Austin Collie.

-LaVell Edwards Calls of the Game: Kalani Sitake called a great game. He was aggressive at times going for it on fourth down. Something I am a huge fan of. He also brought out some old tricks. The jet sweep was something I noticed Sitake run more in the days of before Zach Wilson. It was brilliant to use with Nacua because it gave Nacua a chance to make big plays in a way that the defense wasn’t expecting. Another thing I loved that the Cougars did was spread the ball around. They had six guys tote the rock to the tune of 36 carries, 329 yards, and three touchdowns. They are just as generous through the air with 12 different guys making a catch for a total of 25 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns. The only trick to this, and Kalani Sitake has learned this well, is that you can’t take the ball from a guy who is in the zone just try to get everyone touches. You go with who is moving it for their consistency and to pound the other team.

-Unga-Williams Run of the Game: The run of the game was when Chris Brooks broke a 52-yarder and took it to the house. Brooks has big shoes to fill in trying to replace the great Tyler Allgeier but after one game, Brooks is off to a good start. He is a team leader and captain like Allgeier and now he has had one game like him. Brooks finished his day with 13 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown.

-Jorgensen-Herrmann Sack of the Game: Jacob Boren’s sack. Jacob Boren came up with the only sack for BYU against USF. This is something that the Cougars will need to improve upon against big-time opponents like Baylor, Oregon, Arkansas, and Notre Dame. It was good that Boren took down the strong and large Gerry Bohanon as BYU will face guys like that throughout the season. Credit to Boren for making the play and getting a sack as a defensive back.

-Reynolds Blocks of the Game: Masen Wake. Despite the offensive line playing a dominating game, the block of the game goes to Masen Wake. On Christopher Brooks’ 52-yard touchdown run, Masen Wake came from the right side of the formation to block the defensive end who could have collapsed on Brooks and stopped him at the line if Wake hadn’t hit him. This allowed Brooks to sprint into the opening and hit the second level at full speed and shed another tackle on his way to the end zone.

-Bart Oates Linemen of the Game: All five starters. BYU’s offensive line played a great game and will be a key to the Cougars’ success in 2022. We already talked about the rushing yards and touchdowns they plowed the way for so let’s give them a more personal shoutout. Clark Barrington and Blake Freeland are NFL prospects, Connor Pay and Harris LaChance are getting better every snap, and Kingsley Suamataia is one of the highest-rated recruits in BYU history. They played great to start the season and if they keep it up will be up for the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best offensive line.

-Dennis Pitta TE Play of the Game: Dallin Holker’s touchdown catch. Holker is a talented tight end on a team that truly values that position. This is evident by their crowded tight ends room with the likes of Holker, Isaac Rex, and Masen Wake (who also plays fullback). Holker made the most of his opportunities against the Bulls, with three catches for 39 yards and fighting his way into the end zone for his touchdown.

-Beck-McMahon Throws of the Game: Jaren Hall’s touchdown passes. Hall had a solid game and made good throws on every pass attempt except the one bad interception. BYU will need all in this form sans interception next week when the Baylor Bears come knocking. Hall was 25 of 32 for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Hopefully, this good first week leads to the award-winning season many of us (including him) believe he can have this year.

-Kai Nacua Pick of the Game: Max Tooley’s pick-six. Tooley read the throw to the sideline and jumped it and took it to the house to make the Cougar lead 21-0. Tooley entered this season as one of BYU’s best returning defenders. He came into 2022 with 162 career tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, three interceptions, three quarterback hurries, and five pass breakups. So expectations for him are high and he lived up to them with an interception returned for a touchdown. This is a great way to rocket himself to a good season the same way he did toward the ball and the end zone against USF.

-Taysom Hill Most Athletic Play of the Game: Again, I have to mention Nacua’s speed on those jet sweeps. That and I wanted an excuse to share this meme a friend made that found to be hilarious. Puka Nacua has quickly become a fan favorite and thanks to his speed and the weather delays, their lots of justified lightning quips.

-Resume watch: USF has been down in recent years, but with a big-time quarterback transfer from Baylor they look to right that ship. Whether they do or not BYU did exactly what you want to do for your postseason resume. Dominate from beginning to end and BYU did that to the tune of 50-21. Would it help BYU to have USF have a winning record and compete in the AAC? Absolutely. But the Cougars can only control what they do and they defeated the Bulls soundly, just like they were supposed to.

-It Was Over When: Keanu Hill was wide open and caught a touchdown pass from Jaren Hall to make the game 28-0 for BYU. The rout was on and there was no looking back for BYU or catching up for USF. Hill ran a crisp route and whether it was his route running or USF’s defense missing him or both he ended up alone in the end zone for an easy touchdown.

-Wilson Freshman of the Game: Chase Roberts. His stat line was modest with three catches for 41 yards, but Roberts didn’t look like a freshman. He had speed and running instincts that most players don’t have right out of high school. I think he will have a career worth noting and following at BYU. Keep an eye out for him as this and subsequent seasons go along.

-Rise and Shout Again: Next week the Cougars take on the Baylor Bears in a preview of Big 12 play in the coming seasons. Last year, 12-2 Big 12 and Sugar Bowl Champs Baylor beat 10-3 BYU 38-24 in Waco. Now they come to LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo for BYU’s 2022 home opener. Should be another good game, and a good opportunity for BYU to make some noise nationally! Enjoy the highlights below to hold you over until Saturday!