BYU-SMU football notes: Cougar defense makes statement about potential
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- BYU sophomore linebacker Isaiah Glasker makes a sack during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake gets fired up during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore safety Koa Eldridge (20) makes a tackle during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU players celebrate with senior cornerback Marque Collins intercepted a pass during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU senior cornerback Jakob Robinson signals Cougar possession after he recovered a fumble during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU fans cheer on their team during the non-conference game against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
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- BYU senior defensive lineman Tyler Batty hits SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings during the non-conference game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake may have been a fullback as a player but a lot of his time as a coach was spent on the defensive side of the ball.
So it’s not surprising that he appreciates a great defensive effort like his Cougars put together in Friday’s 18-15 win at SMU.
“I thought the defense was really good,” Sitake said after the game. “I thought we were disruptive again. I just feel good about what we were able to do overall in the red zone, to get some stops and force them to kick field goals tonight.”
BYU limited SMU’s offense more than just about anyone the Mustangs have played recently.
The Cougars held SMU out of the end zone, making it the first time since Sept. 23, 2016 (L 33-3 to TCU) the Mustangs did not score a touchdown.
Only SMU and Clemson (vs. Georgia) have been held without a touchdown in a game among Power 4 teams in 2024.
BYU last kept an opponent out of the end zone in 2023 when the Cougars shut out Sam Houston, 14-0. The last time an opponent only scored field goals against BYU came in 2020 when the Cougars rolled past Navy, 55-3.
SMU only managed 261 yards of total offense and three third-down conversions on 16 attempts, both being the lowest marks for the Mustangs since 2022. BYU also had three sacks after SMU hadn’t allowed a sack in its first two games.
So what made the difference and allowed the Cougar defenders to make the plays they did?
“I think the key is the defense is now really familiar with the system, and so it’s not like in the past,” Sitake said. “There was a lot of thinking, but now you can tell that they’re comfortable with what we have for our scheme. It’s a lot smoother.”
He explained that he understands how everyone wanted it to happen quickly, but now the team is seeing the pieces fall into place.
“This is the point of where we know guys can feel good about the system and focus on the technique and the fundamentals of it,” Sitake said. “Then we can really get some great production from them.”
Cougar sophomore linebacker Isaiah Glasker said it’s making a big difference for the players to have the familiarity they need to let loose.
“With being in (defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s) system for two years, I feel like knowing defense a little bit more, you’re not really thinking about what you’re doing as much because it comes natural,” Glasker said. “You do it every day in practice. I feel like when you you’re blitzing and stuff like that, you can really just read the whole defense or the whole offense.”
He also said, though, that the doubters fueled some of the fire for the BYU defenders.
“People were bad about our defense, saying that we’re not as good as we should be,” Glasker said. “But practicing with the front seven and our whole defense, I feel like we really get after it. I’m excited about our defense this year. I feel like we can just dominate games. I’m excited for what we have for the rest of the season.”
Big night in the middle
BYU senior defensive tackle Blake Mangelson had another solid showing for the Cougar defense. The Nephi native had seven total tackles, matching his career high (Texas in 2023) as well as 2.5 tackles for loss,
one sack and a quarterback hurry.
Historic achievement
BYU is 2-0 to start the season for the fifth consecutive year under Kalani Sitake. The Cougars have never gone five consecutive seasons opening at 2-0.
Highlighting firsts
A number of BYU players got to enjoy first-time achievements as Cougars against SMU.
Freshman tight end Ryner Swanson had his first catch, as did sophomore running back Enoch Nawahine. Nawahine also scored his first touchdown, while on the defensive side sophomore linebacker Isaiah Glasker secured his first sack (part of his career-high six tackles).
BYU senior wide receiver Darius Lassiter also had the longest reception of his career, going for 57 yards.
Extra points
BYU lost the opening coin toss, evening their season record at 1-1. In both games, however, the Cougars have started by kicking off as the Cougars deferred when they won in Week 1 and SMU chose to take the ball first in Week 2 … BYU’s captains were OL Connor Pay, CB Jakob Robinson, WR Chase Roberts and S Tanner Wall … The alumni flagbearers for the game were offensive lineman Tejan Koroma (2014-17) and running back Fui Vakapuna (2002-03, 06-08). Cougar running back Sione I. Moa carried the USA flag, cornerback Jonathan Kabeya brought out the Texas flag and quarterback McCae Hillstead was selected to be the Big 12 flagbearer … game-time weather was 86 degrees and cloudy, but the thunderstorms in the area didn’t end up hitting the stadium … the official attendance was 31,172.
