BYU’s first turnovers of the season came in a hurry against Colorado State, and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick didn’t hide from it.
The Cougars had gone through two games without a giveaway before the second half against the Rams, when Bear Bachmeier and Treyson Bourguet threw interceptions on consecutive drives. After the game, Roderick put the responsibility on himself.
"I was disappointed we turned the ball over twice in that last second half of that last game," Roderick said. "You know, that's something we usually don't do. Those were both my fault."
Bachmeier’s interception came in the red zone on 3rd & 11, when he forced a throw intended for Kyler Kasper that was picked off. Roderick said he created the problem by pushing the play too far.
"I got greedy in the red zone and tried to throw the ball into the end zone on third and long. That's something we usually don't try to do. I put Bear in a really tough spot," Roderick said.
On the next possession, BYU went to Bourguet. His pass was meant for Reggie Frischknecht, but a CSU defender got a hand on it and another defensive back came away with the interception on the deflection.
"Treyson's interception was also my fault," Roderick said. "I called a play that was wide open earlier in the game, but it was from a unique set and I think they were on to it and they covered it well and the ball got tipped. So I put those both on me."
Now BYU turns to its Saturday night trip to TCU, where the turnover battle could loom large. The Horned Frogs are coming off a loss to UCF in which their offense gave it away four times, and the matchup shapes up as a test of ball security on both sides.
Weather could make that even more important. Rain is in the forecast in Fort Worth over the next several days, and it is expected to rain on Saturday as well, though some forecasts have the rain ending by early afternoon.
However it shakes out, the field is likely to be slick, and the team that handles the football better at Amon G. Carter Stadium should have the edge.
In Other News...
BYU Heads To TCU With New Availability Questions At Key Spots
BYUs first availability report for its trip to TCU brought a few notable absences into focus, and the biggest ones land on the offensive line and in the middle of the defense. Starting right tackle Andrew Gentry and linebacker Siale Esera were both listed as out, giving the Cougars some important lineup decisions to sort through before facing a Horned Frogs team that can make teams pay for any thin spots.
Freshman kicker Brody Laga also showed up on the report as out, an unexpected wrinkle for a BYU team that has been trying to keep stability in its special teams operation. TCUs side of the report was less alarming, with EDGE rusher Zach Chapman listed as questionable even as Sonny Dykes said he expects him to play, so BYU will be watching both the trenches and the kicking game closely as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Faces A Dangerous Test Against A Desperate Big 12 Opponent
Kalani Sitakes BYU team is headed into a stretch where the margin for error keeps shrinking, and the Big 12s broader coaching pressure cooker only sharpens the stakes. Around the league, coaches such as Lance Leipold at Kansas, Deion Sanders at Colorado and Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia are all dealing with the kind of late-season scrutiny that turns every matchup into more than just another game, and BYU is not separated from that conversation.
For the Cougars, the next test carries the feel of a measuring stick because the opponent is playing with urgency and the conference race is still shaping the leagues mood week by week. Sitake has built enough credibility to avoid panic talk, but in a league where momentum can swing quickly, a difficult night against a desperate Big 12 team would only add to the pressure that follows every result this time of year. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Best Edge At TCU Could Decide This Big 12 Test
BYU comes out of the bye week headed to Fort Worth for a Big 12 matchup with TCU, and its the kind of game that can tell a lot about where the Cougars really stand. TCU has been uneven this season and is still searching for a win against a power-conference opponent, which makes this more than just another league game for BYU.
The Cougars also have a clear place to lean on offense in LJ Martin, whose recent play has given BYU a steadier run game and a reliable focal point as expectations rise. The betting market reflects that this should be a competitive test, but the real question is whether BYU can turn that edge into a road win in a setting where TCU has plenty to prove. [Read more 🡒]