Quarterback: B

Bear Bachmeier compiled his best throwing stats of his young career, going 18-25 through the air for 351 yards and a touchdown. He showed better touch on his long passes than he has all season, accounting for chunk yardage throws to both Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston. He also showed effective running the ball, covering 43 yards on 12 carries. The marks against him are all about turnovers. The freshman threw the first interception of his career, not accounting for a linebacker dropping in coverage on an attempted screen in the first half. His worst turnover came on an attempted option pitch which was knocked away by a blitzing slot cornerback and eventually recovered by the Mountaineers. But overall Bachmeier continued to show strides making effective reads and making accurate passes throughout each of the four quarters played.

Running Back: B-

LJ Martin ran for just 58 yards on 20 carries for a paltry 2.9 yards per carry before breaking a late run off-tackle for 32 yards. But those diminished numbers were largely due to a lack of holes to run through as BYU’s offensive line didn’t exhibit the dominance that may have been otherwise expected. The senior running back did run for a couple of touchdowns and added another couple of catches for 21 yards, but was otherwise held in check by West Virginia’s front until very late. Running back Jovesa Damuni saw his first extended action of his career abruptly ended when he fumbled the ball away on his third carry. The freshman wasn’t seen again in the backfield following his turnover.

Receivers/Tight Ends: A

It’s difficult to assign any marks against what proved to be BYU’s best position group of the evening. Parker Kingston continues to surge following the bye week and got off very quickly in the win, hauling in an initial long pass from Bachmeier and then scoring the first two touchdowns of the game. Overall the speedster accounted for 111 yards on just four receptions and a touchdown run. Chase Roberts also hauled in several long balls and finished with 161 yards with his four catches. Overall the group accounted for no drops and executed well blocking on the edge in what was one of the best all-around receiver and tight end performances of the season.

Offensive line: C+

As mentioned, the Cougar offensive line failed to provide a consistent and productive push upfront, limiting the Cougar ground game considerably. The pass protection largely proved effective although better strides need to be made by the team’s front five in the coming weeks versus more formidable defensive fronts. The unit does receive positive marks for lack of holding penalties on top of keeping Bachmeier well-protected in the pocket during passing plays.

Defensive line: B+.

West Virginia was held to under 200 yards rushing largely due to BYU’s stout defensive line which allowed few significant gains up the middle. Overall the Mountaineers ran for an average of just 3.3 yards per carry, accounting for 156 yards overall. The pass rush was still somewhat lacking, although applying pressure was complicated by West Virginia’s heavy rushing attack. The defensive line did allow West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins too many positive gains up the middle. The best moment for the line was preventing a West Virginia plunge into the endzone late. Logan Lutui led the team in tackles with six while John Taumoepeau added five.

Linebackers: B

Absent standouts Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly, who both were held out for most of the game due to injury, of which Kelly’s appears the more serious, the linebackers generally performed well. Ace Kaufusi filled in effectively on the outside and Siale Esera probably provided his best game of the season from his middle linebacking position. Miles Hall led the group with five total tackles, filling in effectively for Esera in the middle throughout the second half of play.

Defensive backs: B+

BYU sophomore cornerback Therrian Alexander set the tone with a well-played interception that was almost returned for a touchdown. West Virginia didn’t present much through the air, but the Cougar defensive backs largely made certain no extraordinary gains were made. Tanner Wall made a great play on a tipped ball late for his own interception while fellow safeties Raider Damuni and Faletau Satuala continue to make big plays out of the defensive backfield. The third defensive back unit was torched late, however, leading to a West Virginia touchdown and a mark against the general defensive back grade.

Special teams: B+

Will Ferrin missed another field goal, which is always shocking given his past success, although Coach Kalani Sitake expressed continued confidence in the senior kicker during postgame interviews. Not much was made during punt and kick returns, but overall the coverages and return units proved solid. The group also receives a boost to its overall grade by executing a brilliant fake field goal where holder Sam Vander Haar faked a lateral through the legs and proceeded to run for a first down.

Coaching: B-

For a second game in a row BYU’s defense looked unprepared to defend the quarterback run effectively. Whether that’s a coaching issue or player issue is tough to determine, but it’s certainly an aspect that needs addressing. Overall the team looked relatively less prepared to play than in week’s prior, making the overall course of play a bit weird and uninspiring. The marked improvements all three BYU units have shown through the first four games of the season generally weren’t made relevant during Friday’s win.