The second game of Strong’s inaugural season at UT will be against the Brigham Young University Cougars at home on September 6 at 6:30 p.m. The Cougars handed Mack Brown a pivotal upset last season (40-21), causing a change in defensive coaches and a fall from the Top 25.
Though BYU is not affiliated with any major conference, they continue to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the field and in recruiting. Led once again by Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, BYU will add one of its most successful recruiting classes yet with their 2014 team when twelve defensive and eight offensive additions join the squad. ESPN ranked BYU number 31 on their preseason power index, while Texas sits at 25.
Preseason has treated the Cougars well. Their quarterback, Taysom Hill, and running back Jamaal Williams, were selected for the Maxwell Award watch list. BYU has also secured four-star recruits, such as Fred Warne and Troy Hinds (after his return from an LDS mission). The Cougars also got some key transfers that should contribute immediately.
Another good sign for BYU fans, the Cougars won’t see much of a shake-up in the coaching department. Under Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, Robert Anae, who has served as an offensive line coach for Mike Stoops (Defensive Coordinator for OU), will return as offensive coordinator for his second year, and Nick Howell returns for his second year as defensive coordinator.
Offensively, BYU lost a significant receiver in wideout Cody Hoffman. A preseason Phil Steele All-American, Hoffman holds career records at BYU for receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards.
But the loss of Hoffman might be softened by one of the Cougars’ key transfers. “Jordan Leslie, who led in pretty much every receiving category for UTEP last year, will play his senior year at BYU,†Kacey Robbins, a contributor for CougarNation.com, said.
Though the offense gains incoming recruits such as Tuni Kanuch and Ului Lapuaho, Robbins notes the key to having a successful offensive strategy lies in the offensive line. “In the 80’s and 90’s under Lavell Edwards, BYU consistently had big, strong, and mean offensive lines,†Robbins said. “Offensive Line Coach Tujague and Offensive Coordinator Anae both played under Lavell and want to bring back the consistency and meanness.â€
Defensively, BYU added senior transfer Harvey Jackson from Nebraska. As a safety, Jackson totaled 54 tackles overall in his three seasons with the Cornhuskers and has played in 35 total games. BYU also picked up Fred Warner, a four-star linebacker out of California. Warner was ranked number fifteen on Rivals.com. They also added Tyler Cook and Sione Takitaki; three star linebacker prospects.
http://img.deseretnews.com/images/article/midres/1208635/1208635.jpg
Photo: USATSI
If Texas wants to win this pivotal game, the Longhorns offense will be a key to the matchup. Though the defensive class at BYU is strong, the Longhorns will have to blaze through the defensive line to prove successful.
“Bronco Mendenhall consistently turns out top 25 defenses,†Robbins said. “I think this defense has depth in the backfield and has talent at the linebacker position.â€
Along with offensive pursuit, Texas may also have a little luck thrown at them by the returned missionaries at BYU. Robbins elaborates, “Returned missionaries are a crap shoot, some come back ready and some come back with heavy legs and out of shape.â€
With a Longhorn win, this game could serve as early validation of Charlie Strong’s hire. Being a defensive-minded coach, Strong’s first order of business will be to contain Hill who had a historic night against Texas last season.
