UW’S NEXT OPPONENT BYU (1-2)
Offense
The brutal numbers tell the story of how Ty Detmer’s unit has struggled. Points per game: 11.0. Total yards per game: 231.7. Rushing yards per game: 76.3. First downs per game: 10.7. BYU hasn’t found an adequate replacement yet for tailback Jamaal Williams, a fourth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers after rushing for 1,375 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The lack of a running game and new receivers has placed a strain on quarterback Tanner Mangum, who has completed only 54.4% of his passes and has more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (two). Mangum was named co-MVP of the Elite 11 camp when he was in high school. The other quarterback honored in that camp? Jameis Winston, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and a national title while at Florida State and was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL draft. However, Mangum suffered a left-ankle sprain last week in the 19-13 loss to Utah and is not expected to play Saturday. The start could go to redshirt sophomore Beau Hoge, who has yet to play this season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound redshirt sophomore, the son of former NFL running back Merril Hoge, redshirted last season. He played in three games in 2015 and completed 10 of 17 passes for 137 yards and rushed 16 times for 49 yards. Freshman tight end Matt Bushman, 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, has been the most reliable target with 13 catches for 149 yards. Look for the Cougars to feed two running backs – Squally Canada (5.0 yards per carry) and Ula Tolutau (4.7-yard average). Canada can elude tacklers. Tolutau, a former Wisconsin commit, is 6-1 and 255 and can run over defenders.
Defense
BYU’s defense, which generally features an odd-man front, has been stout, particularly when you consider when opponents have had the ball an average of 9 minutes 48 seconds longer than the Cougars. BYU has allowed just one passing touchdown and is limiting foes to 3.9 yards per carry. Linebackers Fred Warner and Matt Hadley are the most active defenders. Warner leads the team in solo tackles (16) and total tackles (26). Hadley is second in solo tackles (11) and third in total tackles (18). Massive end Corbin Kaufusi, 6-9 and 285, is second on the team in tackles with 19. UW’s offensive line, which might not be at full strength, and the running backs will have to be sharp. However, BYU has recorded only three sacks and four hurries so quarterback Alex Hornibrook could have time to find open receivers.
Special teams
Seniors Jonah Trinnaman and Jonny Linehan are the standouts on the special teams. Trinnaman, a wide receiver, is averaging 23.5 yards on kickoff returns. Linehan is averaging 42.8 yards per punt.