Yeah when I said the special teams play was outstanding I realized that the punt return was inches from being a disaster that could have put K St right back in the game and instead it turned into a play that essentially put the game away.
It was lucky. I can’t deny that. Because of the result of the play it topped off what was a great night for the special teams all other things considered. Excellent punting, place kicking, and
good kick and punt coverage allowing no big returns.
Whopper, The point that Tom was making is that BYU is almost dead last of 133 college teams in converting 3rd downs! That is just not one play or one game, that is over 4 games this season.
3rd conversion by game:
SIU game – 7 of 15
SMU game – 3 of 16
Wyoming game – 7 of 17
KSU game – 3 of 9
For total of 20 of 57 = 35% 3rd down conversion rate.
So, the real reason we are 4-0 is not because of the Offense, but because the Defense as not allowed a touchdown in 4 games and has played far above expectation this year.
Unfortunately, the offense cannot say the same thing about their performance.
I have to agree with your comment about this punt returner Kingston, how many times has he fumbled the ball in four games? The only reason that return worked at all is because KSU overplayed the field. hoping to get the ball back, so they swarmed that side of the field, leaving the other side open. But JoJo Phillips return last week was spectualar and special teams performed perfectly.
That shows to me that Retzlaff is learning how to be more controlled and not have so much “happy feet”. Time will tell if it lasts or not.
Only in your mind, they are not based in fact or logic!
All came from facts. What are you talking about? You used facts to conclude third down inefficiency means really bad results. Yet, we are 4-0. So, third downs alone doesn’t mean bad results. Nor, does it mean the Oline is bad or A-Rod is bad. There are other factors to be a cause like inexperienced RBs. Which is more likely than your conclusions.
Where is THawk to stop me! AARRGGHH I need you brother!
Whopper: failure on 3rd down = failure on 3rd down. That’s a bad thing. A really bad thing; if we have competent players good enough to win games, yet are AWFUL on 3rd downs, it’s a clear indictment on the 1st and 2nd down play calling. Period.
The example I cited was not meant as a discussion of whether BYU’s offense is good or bad, NOR did I say a different play was called and the QB checked out of it or otherwise failed to run it (I THINK that’s what you were trying to say). I was using an EGREGIOUS example of HORRID play-calling resulting in yet another 3rd down failure. I could have picked many others, but this was one of the dumbest ever.
Pretty sure Kalani would agree that it’s bad to be bad on 3rd down and it’s a MAJOR problem with this team.
You have to have the horses to be successful. That’s what I’m saying. The RBs have little experience and are being coached on the sideline.
I am not sure he has learned how to not have happy feet. I saw one time where he took the sack instead of going for it. that was in the first quarter (if I remember right). most of the time he didn’t really have any pressure on him to win the game. the defense balled out and put all the pressure was on KS. Put him in a game where it is close and I think we will still see the same thing we have seen before.
yes the offense did what it needed to do in this kind of a game. play it safe. The problem is that with the defense balling out and putting the momentum on our side our third sting offense could have won this game. It was like when your oldest bother came to play with you and your friends. you were going to win unless you threw the ball on the ground every play.
these are the questions I still have
This was just a crazy game and only proved that our defense is the real deal. The defense isn’t going to play like that every week, the rest of our schedule is going to be tough. My prediction is that we win 6 and go bowling. potato bowl here we come.
The interesting thing about the Big 12 is every single game left for BYU is winnable. Conversely they could lose every game that is left. The only game they should win easily is Houston. The rest are tough, but winnable games. The Big 12 has good balance top to bottom with only one team at this point looking like a patsy and that is Houston. There isn’t a single dominant team in the league.
ESPN has BYU favored in 5 of their remaining games. They are only underdogs against OSU at home, and UCF and Utah on the road. Based on what has transpired so far I can understand that forecast. That can change a bunch in one week depending on how BYU does at Baylor. Morning road games haven’t gone well for BYU for the last several years.
That’s right. Baylor is a morning game. So a loss will mean we still won’t know what kind of team BYU is. Half way in we still don’t know. Huh?
Well, we know that as a TEAM, we are really good. All parts seem to be complimenting each other. We win 38-9 over #13 team but still don’t know.
What I do know is Baylor sacked Colorado QB 8 times and their offense scored when needed. Depends which QB plays for Baylor as well. The main thing is BYU just needs to play with aggression. Especially the defense has to keep it up. The offense will do alright when needed. For a team that some thought would win only 4 games, guess BYU is more than the prognosticators thought.
That is one of the factors that has been good! You are not making sense! Our fourth string RB was great last week and we will get the first and second string RB’s back this week! How many ! do I need to use to help you understand!!!
This is a really poor response to the problem of bad 3rd down conversions. By your own admission the fourth string RB was pretty good this past game. You have said that more than once since Saturday. Why are you using the RB inexperience as an excuse for poor third down conversions?
It isn’t working, time to switch gears.
Likewise, you need to rethink the following comment you made.
“Especially the defense has to keep it up. The offense will do alright when needed.”
This has not been the case in every game so far. Clearly the defense has been the difference in the wins… across the board, all 4 games.
I was satisfied with the offense, in spite of the poor statistics, because Retzlaff didn’t commit stupid turnovers. When I see them drive the ball the length of the field and sustain drives, dominate time of possession and play with continuity and pace then I will be content. That has not happened yet.
I wonder if Oklahoma fans thought the same thing?
I didn’t say he wasn’t. But, he wasn’t until the 2nd half and short fields as well. I was referring to the last couple of games. In any event, there’s no reason to pile on A-Rod at this point.
Again, I wasn’t referring to this last game as much as the first 3 games. Still, in the first half, we did not run the ball well enough to be successful on 3rd downs. We then began to have short fields to work with in the 2nd half and the one kid ran well. I don’t see your complaint?
You are on a role tonight being contrary. That’s my job! 
Kingston reminds me of Covey a little bit…hahahahahha
I get what you are saying but I also see the fire, the desire. He is young mistake prone but talented.
The reason why I have be cheering on the Low Low. Tom and I both see the game with our big plays striped out…An Offense that seems to be stuck on 3rd and 8 while the rest of the college world playing a 3rd and 2 or 3. That is all on Arod. Like I have been saying…if BYU can get 100 or more yards rushing EXCLUDING Ratzaiff’s QB runs, then I become a buyer.
I am a buying KSU, they were pushing BYU around on every single play. Their Oline was PUSHING our Dline back for about 5 yds per carry. Don’t believe me?
Fueled by fire: After taking some lumps during first year in Big 12, BYU defense has flipped script (msn.com)
Hans Olsen: KSU got their rushing yds, something like 230 plus but lost the game on BYU’s Hill rattling KSU’s Johnson for 3 turnovers. As a team, KSU averaged 5.3 YPC. BYU 38-9 Kansas State (Sep 21, 2024) Box Score - ESPN
BYU got 3.4 YPC for the KSU game. Strip out the big plays and BYU can’t win. Things were sooooooo bad in the first 28 minutes of the game, Tom texts me and says, “Looks like Tuiaki showed up to coach the D”. The bend but don’t break is alive and well in Provo.
So let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Baylor has a Jr. QB, plays sound ball. KSU has a big time but young QB, who the week before made Zona look like a HS team. Johnson has about as much play time as Retzaiff and I know how hard most of you ripped on him before the KSU performance, calling for Bohanan.
Bingo
Thank you Floyd…my fav band…pink Floyd
In the 29 point victory, BYU’s DFence exploited a young “future” NFL QB…I see nothing in that sentence that says BYU’s offense won the game although I did say, “Retzaiff played a near perfect game”. Both observations are true.
Hopper, how does it feel wandering aimlessly in the wilderness? Arguing with everyone at all times? We will send Mana.
Last week Sitake said one thing…“Retzaiff, hold on to the dang ball”
This week, Can we get a 3rd down!
that was pretty good., You had me laughing.
Some have BYU playing in the Fiesta bowl at this point. (another laugh)
Just for clarity, ESPN had BYU favored in only 1 game before our KSU rout.
As you say, We will see after BYU wins a road game in the Big 12.