UConn has gone through spring football practice and will begin again in August, and the first game of the season is Sept. 3 at home vs. Villanova.
The Huskies not only have the toughest football schedule in the American Athletic Conference in 2015 but the 22nd toughest in the nation, according to FBschedules.com. They are tied for No. 22 with SEC member South Carolina. Seven of the opponents went to bowl games, and Villanova went to the I-AA playoffs.
We’ll begin a weekly look at their opponents, beginning with powerful independent Brigham Young. BYU went 8-5 last season.
The Cougars ran roughshod over the Huskies 35-10 in UConn coach Bob Diaco’s debut and the 2014 season opener at Rentschler Field. The guy who did it to the Huskies, in particular, was quarterback Taysom Hill, who is back for his senior season and will be in the Heisman conversation because of his dual threat abilities, all of which he showed against the Huskies in accounting for five touchdowns, three in the air, two rushing.
Hill was 28 of 36 for 308 yards passing, and he rushed for another 97 on Aug. 29 before a national TV audience (ESPN).
UConn had more penalty yards (90) than rushing yards (71) in that game. UConn’s only touchdown came on a 1-yard run by Josh Marriner with 2:33 to go in the first half. But the Cougars answered when Hill and Terren Houk hooked up on a 35-yard catch and run for a touchdown that stretched the lead to 28-7 heading into halftime. Five plays, 69 yards and 1:30 was all it took.
So what can we expect this year when UConn travels to play at BYU on Oct. 2? Let’s check in with longtime BYU beat writer Jeff Call of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City.
What was the biggest accomplishment of spring practice?
BYU stayed healthy. After a year that saw numerous key players go down to injury, the Cougars were relatively injury-free in the spring. Coach Bronco Mendenhall has credited that to the program’s new strength and conditioning coach, Frank Wintrich.
What are the expectations for 2015?
BYU faces a brutal schedule, particularly in the first month. The Cougars open at Nebraska, host Boise State, then visit UCLA and Michigan, all in the month of September and just before playing UConn in Provo. BYU will also take on Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in November and it will finish the regular season at Utah State. As an independent, there’s a lot of pressure on the Cougars to win those big, marquee games. After three straight 8-5 seasons, BYU fans are hoping, as always, for a double-digit win total. But winning eight games with this difficult schedule would be an impressive accomplishment.
Who are the key players on offense?
Quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Jamaal Williams return for their senior campaigns, though both are coming off of major surgery after suffering season-ending injuries. Coaches are optimistic that they will be at full strength once the season kicks off. Wide receiver Mitch Mathews is expected to catch a lot of passes while the offensive line is led by center Tejan Koroma, who was named to a couple of true freshmen All-American teams in 2014.
Defense?
Senior defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi led the team in sacks, tackles-for-loss and quarterback hurries last season. Outside linebacker Fred Warner is considered to be a future star, though he has been hampered by injuries. Coaches also like the play of safety Kai Nacua.
Special Teams?
Placekicker Trevor Samson returns after turning in a solid performance last season. BYU’s new punter could be Jonny Linehan, a member of the Cougars’ national championship-winning rugby team. Adam Hine was among the nation’s leaders in kickoff returns a year ago before sustaining an injury.
Do any incoming freshmen/transfers have a chance to make an impact right away?
Junior college transfer Eric Takenaka impressed coaches during the spring and could earn a starting role. Hill’s backup at quarterback could be freshman Tanner Mangum, the co-MVP of Elite 11 Camp and MVP of the Under Armour All-America Game in 2011. He returns home from his LDS Church mission to Chile in early June.
What are the team strengths on offense?
The Cougars have a ton of experience on offense, and should be explosive. BYU averaged 37 points per game last season. If Hill and Williams stay healthy, this should be one of the nation’s top offenses.
Defensive strengths?
The Cougars’ front seven is the strength of the defense, led by Kaufusi. BYU was No. 14 in the nation last season in run defense. Mendenhall announced in January that he will oversee the defense and call the defensive plays this season, which should help the Cougar defense.
What are the weaknesses on offense?
BYU coaches like their starters on the offensive line, but the Cougars lack significant depth. It’s imperative that players stay healthy.
Defensive weaknesses?
There is talent but a lot of inexperience in the defensive secondary. The Cougars are focused on shoring up their pass defense, which ranked No. 110 in the country last year.
