Petey said:

“I’m just happy that the program has reached the point where people complain about only winning by 18! lol”

The game was cold and quick, honestly why would you complain? I left the stadium knowing that BYU is going to be alright. Whether we win by 50 or 1 we still have a team that builds off of each other’s success and continues to take their opponent’s best punch, smiles, and punch them right back between the eyes even harder.

The Offense

I have to admit I shook my head a few time during the game, asking myself why isn’t this going better? When in all actuality the offense got the job done. Statistically, the Cougars were amazing, 382 total yards (265 passing & 117 rushing), 21 points, and most importantly ZERO turnovers. That is not a bad day for any offense, especially when you take into consideration that we ran 11 fewer plays than the Lobos. That actually equates to one and a half or two less drives than the Lobos. Our offense also had the ball for less time, don’t let the ESPN recap fool you, the Lobos had the ball most of the first half and were able to run the clock down and force our offense to produce points with fewer touches.

Offensive line

The BYU line did a fabulous job of picking up the various blitzes and pressures that were thrown at them. They gave Max a great pocket and plenty of time to let routes develop down field. I can only remember a couple of times where Max had someone in his face pressuring him.

I also noticed Ray Feinga and Travis Bright looking like H1’s as they pulled around the corner to lead Harvey up field. On one specific play Harvey had a nine yard gain with Ray leading him eight yards of the way. This group consistently picks up the blitz, plows through defenders creating running lanes, and most importantly gets better as the game progresses. My hat goes off to this bunch.

Running Backs

Harvey carried the load this week with 22 rushes and 95 yards. I saw a different aspect of Harvey’s game that is sometimes overlooked because of his size and strength. He has tremendous vision. I noticed him using the defenders’ momentum against them as he cut back and forth, weaving his way past first down markers.

Receivers

It was good to see Mike Reed back in the lineup after being out with a small injury. His first catch for 16 yards was a welcomed sight.

Austin continues to put up huge numbers, 9 catches for 162 yards and one TD. WOW!! I am just amazed that teams haven’t tried to do more to take him away, or maybe they are, and I’m just not seeing it. If I were a defensive coach, I would start working on a way to get whoever is guarding him some help. Mental, physical, emotional, something because the only help the corners guarding Austin have received so far is from the water girls handing them Gatorade and towels on the sideline asking them if he’s faster with his blue cold weather tights on.

Quarterback

Max had a very productive game. His is stats were good and he didn’t throw any interceptions. What I thought he did the best was make checks and changes at the line of scrimmage. Numerous times he audibled and changed something at the line and every time it worked. That is a sign of confidence and maturity. He has confidence that he is understands the defense and how he can better exploit their weaknesses and maturity because he has spent the time needed to grasp those concepts.

Some of his best plays on Saturday occurred because he was able to stay patient in the pocket and allow his receivers to get open down field. He also hit those receivers in stride which helped them gain yards after the catch.

What can be improved:

Stop getting drive killing penalties. We still found a way to kill two potential scoring drives with errant penalties. This is one of the reasons why the Lobo defense had success. We found ways to bail their defense out of bad situations allowing them to recover, bring pressure and disrupt our conversion process.

We need more third down conversions. There were several we weren’t successful on first down, which forced us into long second and third downs. Our struggle was made worse by a Lobo defense that did a great job on third down.

Receivers need to create more space for Max to throw the ball. On Saturday the Lobo defenders got their hands on numerous balls. This happpened because they played well but also because the receivers didn’t do a good enough job of creating space between themselves and the defender.

Defense

They only gave up 3 points on 71 plays. That should be commended! They also created two turnovers and only gave up 130 yards rushing on 50 attempts that’s 2.6 yards a carry. Also, the only drive they gave up points lasted 12 plays and took 5:36. No offense can use that much time, run that many plays, only get 3 points and expect to win. BYU’s young defense stood in there against a very physical New Mexico offense and did their part in securing the win for the guys in blue.

Defensive Linemen

I thought our line played good enough for us to win. They disrupted blocking schemes and clogged up the middle which kept #21 from being able to hit holes running hard down hill. Jan also made one of the biggest plays of the day when he recovered a fumble that prevented the Lobos from draining more time off the clock. Jan’s recovery also gave our team their first emotional boost in the second half.

Linebackers

They did a great job of not letting Ferguson get out into the open. They did a better job of playing downhill, forcing the offensive linemen to engage a defender sooner. This reduces the space between the linemen and running back and doesn’t allow the running back to gain momentum through the hole. Basically we watched 45 scrums, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just not as exciting to talk about the day after.

Oh yeah, do you remember that pile up on second and 5? It brought up a third and 4 and on third and 4 do you remember how big that pile was? Man that was awesome! Was it exciting? – No, but was it exactly what they were supposed to do? – yes.

Defensive Backs

For the most part they played very consistent. They didn’t give up any passing touchdowns and they created an interception. They also did a good job of cleaning up the mess when Ferguson was able to squirt throw the line of scrimmage.

They tackled better than last week and did a great job of keeping everything in front of them.

Their day wasn’t that eventful. They weren’t tested down field at all and they only had to defend a limited amount of passes. This is a game where I would have finished and said, “What did I do all game?”

What can be improved:

The defensive backs had some mental breakdowns against 4 verticals. They didn’t do a great job of altering the receivers routes or exchanging guys as they ran through zones.

Our outside linebackers need to work on getting to their flat responsibilities in specific coverages making the quarterback have to throw to his second or third option.

We need to work on our option responsibilities. New Mexico was able to move the ball in large chunks when they ran both the speed option and ride option. Specifically we need to play the quarterback better. This means our inside linebackers aren’t scrapping hard enough or they where over-pursuing and leaving cut back lanes open and unmanned. Option assignments will be crucial against a TCU team with two quarterbacks that run the ball well.

Special Teams

We won the field position battle with Santiago punting a 43.2 average. We also blocked a punt and almost broke a huge kick-off return. I guess the many periods of practice time are paying off.

I especially hope everyone noticed the punt return team flinging their bodies over the personal protectors with no regard for life or limb. It takes a special person to run ten yards and attempt to jump over an offensive or defensive linemen’s head whose sole purpose on the field is to put his helmet into your stomach and throw you to the ground.

Blue #48, Micheal Alisa, Fr. LB, I salute you and hope your neck is OK after landing on it numerous times on Saturday.

Let’s extend that winning streak to 17 on Thursday.

Photo by Greg Olsen

In all honesty the weather doesn’t play a huge role in the outcome of the game. Yeah it’s cold in the stands, but down on the field the training and equipment staff take numerous precautions to keep the players warm.

For instance there are propane furnaces stationed all over the sidelines. These sideline space heaters keep your legs and feet warm in between series. The equipment staff also passes out those giant coats that are extremely insulated and keep the rain/snow off of your body.

My personal favorite is the hot chicken broth in the locker room for both pre-game and at half-time. That’s right, while the bands lips are freezing to their instruments and your cheeks are freezing to the stadium bleachers the players are in the locker room sipping hot chicken broth.

I loved playing in the cold. There is just something about playing football in the “cold” that brings back the nostalgia of Vince Lombardi and the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau field.

Will the weather play a role in the outcome of the game? I say, only if they let it.

Warning! I’ve made a change.

I decided to separate the Scouting Reports so that I can focus more on each side of the ball and give you all a better opportunity to understand what the Cougars could encounter on Saturday. Today will be the New Mexico offense and tomorrow I will break down the Lobo defense – then it’s game time.

Let’s begin with the Lobo’s impact players.

Running Backs

They will use a couple of running backs. #21 Rodney Ferguson gets the ball the most. He is big and physical and if he gets a full head of steam, watch out. He doesn’t look like he is moving quickly until he gets to you and once he is there it is too late. He has good feet and can stay up after the first and second contact. This is apparent as he often runs into a pile and then pops out for a gain of six or seven yards. The Cougar defense will get a heavy dose of #21 on Saturday.

Their next back is #22, he is the fast ball to Rodney’s change up. He is a threat to take the ball the distance and when he gets in the open field he is tough to bring down. He is smaller yet seems to move the pile when he needs to.

#31 is their fullback who catches an occasional pass out of the backfield, but mostly earns his scholorship running into linebackers. He is a big guy but not extremely physical.

Wide Receivers

New Mexico use a lot of different receivers in the passing game, but after watching their film, two receivers stood out in my mind.

#18 is probably their most consisent wideout. He is lanky, has good hands, and has above average speed. He also has good vision when running wide receiver screens and after he has made a catch.

#8 is their deep threat. He has great speed and runs crisp routes. He is the guy on their team that at anytime could take it the distance.

#5, #15 and #7 all look like good athletes but they don’t get their hands on the ball enough to make a significant difference.

Offensive Line

They are far more effective run blocking then pass blocking. This group also gets better as the game wears on. When run blocking they do a good job of getting on their blocks and staying on them. Where they have trouble is when they have to pass guys off or when they have to pick up blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. This group has problems when it comes to creating a pocket for their quarterback. When their quarterback drops back the pocket closes extremely fast, which makes quarterbacks jittery in the pocket. Overall inconsistency from the offensive line is a big reason their quarterbacks are inconsistant and why they have looked good in some games and horrible in others.

Quarterbacks

The starter #15 was injured in the game against TCU, so we can’t count on his one or two interceptions. For a three year starter Donovan has been extremely inconsistent. He is seriously like two face in the Dark Knight. Some games he makes solid decisions and is a leader for his team. Other games he makes bone head throws and displays as much leadership as a lemming.

#10 will get his first start against the Cougs in LES. It’s not an easy task, but the kid can play. He is very capable both throwing the ball and running with the ball. Even though he makes horrible decisions, he show resiliency after making a mistake and it’s that unpredictability that makes him dangerous. Mobile quarterbacks have plagued us before and could give them a chance of moving the ball if we are playing loose. 

The Lobo Offensive Scheme:

The Lobo’s run a spread offense, but that is not what they do well. They are at their best when they are in 12 and 21 personal which lends to the running backs and tight ends running the ball. After they have established the running game they use a variety of screen plays to get their athletes in space one-on-one with defenders.

New Mexico has always been extremely effective at running slip screens – screens to  running backs, wide receivers screen, and an occasional inside screen to the tight end or a full back.  I would expect the Lobos to first run the ball, mixing in an occasianl crossing route, or drag route. Then when they need a big play they will run some sort of screen play.

They also will take two or three shots down the field, by pulling in max protection and only put two players out in routes, they will just let it fly and hope for the best.

The funny thing about their offensive coordinator is that he is not afraid of running a play that worked once, over and over, until you display that you have made the necessary adjustments to stop the play.

As stated above they favor spread formations that haven’t displayed many effective plays. They run some option, but their line doesn’t block it very well. They also run crossing routes and short digs, but their quarterbacks have been inconsistent so it also hasn’t been that effective. I think their offense is still trying to find an identity and with a new starting quarterback the Lobo’s will depend on a strong power running game to both chew the clock and move the chains.

 Cougars defensive keys:

1. Be able to stop the run without using the safeties and corner. We need safeties and corners to play the screens and passes. That means our linebackers and linemen need to play extremely physical at the point of attack. If we are physical enough we will force  #21 and #22, their running backs,  to move and shuffle laterally, which will give our defense time to shed blocks and gang tackle.
2. Force the Lobo’s into third and long scenarios. This will put the pressure on both the offensive line to create and maintain a good pocket and force the quarterback to throw the ball down field. #10 has a nasty habit of throwing inaccurate passes that hit defenders in the worst possible place – their hands. That is why it is important for the defensive front to get pressure on the quarterback and the DB’s need to catch the ball when it comes their way. Don’t be suprised to see a couple balls either hit defenders in the face or right in the hands.
3. The defensive line has to recognize the screen passes and retrace their steps hard and fast in order to stop large gains. If a screen pass is executed correctly the defensive backs and linebackers do not have a chance to stop it. The only players that can stop screens are the retracing linemen who are unaccounted for by the offense. We can’t get caught trying to get a free and clear sack, there is no such thing. Stop, find the ball carrier and tackle him in the backfield.

The Lobo offense has demonstrated the ability to drive the ball methodically down the field. They depend on the big plays, screens and bombs, to create emotion and opportunities to score. If we gang tackle against their running game and don’t give up screen plays I don’t see them putting more than 14 points on the board. And I am sorry to say Lobo’s, that will not be enough.