BYU is 2-0 in the new Big 12 era — that's expected as the Cougars followed up a Week 1 win over Sam Houston with a 41-16 victory over Southern Utah on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars showed improvements in some areas and a bit of complacency in others, though after a slow start, the outcome was never really in doubt despite a strong second-half effort from the visiting T-Birds.
1. BYU's passing game got on track.One week after Kedon Slovis threw for just 145 yards in the season opener, the graduate transfer had 348 yards passing and five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) while overcoming an early interception.
The Cougars had eight players catch passes, highlighted by tight end Isaac Rex (four receptions, 112 yards, one touchdown) and transfer receiver Darius Lassiter (five catches, 73 yards, one touchdown).
2. BYU's defense helped the Cougars build an insurmountable lead.After SUU marched 52 yards down the field on its first drive and scored the game's opening points on a field goal, the BYU defense tightened up and forced four straight three-and-outs.
Weber State transfer cornerback Kamden Garrett then made an interception on a long ball, a turnover that led to a quick touchdown and a 27-3 BYU halftime lead.
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3. Special teams showed some good things.True freshman cornerback Marcus McKenzie made a big impact as a gunner on punts, finishing with two tackles — including one at the SUU 2 after a long punt.
He also recovered a muffed punt in the fourth quarter to set up BYU's final touchdown on the next play. Oregon transfer Harrison Taggart, meanwhile, blocked a punt that set up a short field and a touchdown, and Parker Kingston had 87 kickoff return yards, including a 41-yarder.
1. The BYU run game never got going.The Cougars haven't been overly impressive thus far in the rushing game, outside of true freshman LJ Martin putting together a good second half in the opener.
On Saturday, BYU ran for just 46 yards on 23 carries, a 2.0-per carry average. Martin had 27 yards on just six carries, while transfers Aidan Robbins (6 yards) and Deion Smith (16 yards, with a touchdown) weren't a factor.
2. BYU's defense gave up a lot of yards in the second half.Be it complacency or SUU making adjustments or both, the Cougars defense allowed the T-Birds to move the ball 70 or more yards on three different drives in the second half.
That led to two second-half touchdowns and SUU putting up 348 yards of total offense, including 250 in the final two quarters.
3. Slow starts to both halves gave Southern Utah life.BYU came out lethargic on Saturday, punting the ball away after a fruitless first drive and watching a 28-yard punt from Ryan Rehkow — one of the heroes of Week 1 — set the T-Birds up with solid field position on their first drive.
SUU responded with a field goal and held a brief lead. The T-Birds also dictated the rhythm of the the second half by scoring on their first drive of the third quarter.
The Brigham Young Cougars defense bring down Southern Utah Thunderbirds running back Targhee Lambson (32) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Isaiah Wooden celebrates a punt return during their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds tackle Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Zack Mitchell (14) and Brigham Young Cougars safety Ethan Slade (26) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds safety Brendan Hale (28) defends Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Left to right, Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5), Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2), and Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho (61) celebrate Roberts' touchdown during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Kamden Garrett (7) celebrates an interception during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars running back Aidan Robbins misses a catch during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars running back Deion Smith (20) celebrates his touchdown at the end of the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Hobbs Nyberg (23) celebrates a block on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds punt at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds place kicker Tyler Graham (43) puts the first points on the board with a field goal against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds warm up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds warm up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars warm up before the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Left to right, Annie Idiart helps Abby Gibbons, both freshman at Brigham Young University, apply a temporary tattoo before the game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Chris Jackson helps his son Blake apply temporary tattoos with Brigham Young University's logo before the game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Henry Hartsock, 4, lines up to high-five Brigham Young University football players before their game against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars marching band performs at the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Fans high-five members of the Brigham Young Cougars football team after their 41-16 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws the ball during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young University student section cheers during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds watch from the sidelines during their football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. BYU won the game 41-16. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars safety Marcus McKenzie (32) and Brigham Young Cougars safety Crew Wakley (38) celebrate an interception during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. BYU won the game 41-16. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) catches the ball with Southern Utah Thunderbirds cornerback Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson (31) on his tail at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Ethan Bolingbroke (4) throws the ball during the football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) celebrates his touchdown during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (82) runs the ball on the kickoff return during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
A fire dancer performs during the Brigham Young Cougars verses Southern Utah Thunderbirds football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young University student section cheers during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
The Brigham Young Cougars enter the field before their football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars defense brings down the Southern Utah Thunderbirds during the football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake on the sidelines during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds offensive lineman Kyle Sfarcioc (64) and Southern Utah Thunderbirds wide receiver Isaiah Wooden (8) celebrate Wooden's touchdown against Brigham Young University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars cheerleaders cheer on the field during the football game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) passes Southern Utah Thunderbirds safety George Ramirez (11) to run the ball into the end zone for a BYU touchdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
LaVell Edwards Stadium reflects in a Brigham Young University marching band member's tuba during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds head coach DeLane Fitzgerald on the sidelines during their football game against Brigham Young University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) throws the ball during the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Southern Utah Thunderbirds running back Braedon Wissler (21) carries the ball during the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
Brigham Young University plays football against Southern Utah University at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News
1. The Cougars' first test in its Power Five era comes next week against Arkansas, before BYU kicks off Big 12 play at Kansas on Sept. 23.
It will show just what kind of talent and depth BYU has, against a Razorbacks team that beat the Cougars 52-35 in Provo last year. The defense, in particular, will be tested.
2. How will Slovis look against a more formidable opponent? He followed up an uninspiring start with a solid effort Saturday, and now the Razorbacks loom as the next litmus test.
3. Kody Epps missed a second straight game, though head coach Kalani Sitake said after the contest he believes the talented Epps will make his season debut against Arkansas.
How will the BYU receiving group mesh in what could be the first time we see them all play together?
