By Robert Weiler
BYU players, coaches and fans have chilling memories of last year”s game against Boise State when the Broncos stormed LaVell Edwards Stadium stronger than Mother Nature for a 52-10 win.
And while the forecast for Friday night”s rematch projects better weather, the game forecast is still unknown for the Cougar”s offense.
Coming off another disappointing performance against USC, head coach Gary Crowton said he expects to see more points from his offense to match Boise State”s scoreboard assault, which has averaged 55 points through its first three games this season.
“They [Boise State] do such a good job and score a lot of points,” he said. “They”ve done that for the last three or four years, and we”re going to have to score points.”
Crowton said he wants to get the ball to junior wideout Todd Watkins more often to spread out Boise”s defense, a plan that will be aided by quarterback John Beck”s continued progression and continuity with his offense.
“It was good to see John finish a game,” Crowton said of his starter in last Saturday”s contest. “I like the look in his eye and the competitive nature that he had at the end of the game.”
Beck did not re-injure his shoulder against USC, but Crowton said he will probably be sore the rest of the season.
Last year, BYU had to use four quarterbacks in the Broncos” blowout. The cold temperatures plagued starting quarterback Matt Berry”s hand, and John Beck broke his finger, forcing Jackson Brown and Todd Mortensen to finish the game.
If BYU plans to keep Boise State”s offense off the field, it will have to establish the running game, which has been stagnant to this point in the season. BYU has rushed the ball 87 times for a net total of 98 yards.
“We”ve played some good defenses, and Boise is pretty good against the run the more I watch the tape on them,” Crowton said.
Part of the 98-yard statistic is due to the number of sacks BYU”s offensive line has allowed this year. Crowton said his offensive line needs to continue to work on its technique, but is seeing game-by-game progression.
“We”ve got a long way to go, believe me,” he said. “But I see us getting our hat on better, … getting our pad level down. The line is hustling on and off the field and the ”back”s efforts are there. I think it”ll come.”
