They put up superior numbers in almost every offensive category possible except for points. Our third down percentage was higher in the end, although it sucked at half time. They got more yards, more passing yards and more rushing yards than us. So how did we win? I think it came down to two things that were supposed to be Virginia strengths, but where we out-performed them on Saturday. First, Virginia led the league with going in with the most take-aways in the nation. Their turnover margin has helped them win games. BYU did not turnover the ball once and made the Cavaliers turn it over twice. In a close game that was huge. The other major factor was special team play.; For the most part UVA was good especially in punting, but BYU was just plain better. BYU's punter was just drilling it for sixty yards every time he got the opportunity until he had to punt it short to pin the opponents close to their own goal. Because of these two factors UVA had to deal with more long fields than they had had to deal with all season. They put up massive yards but they had to just to stay in the game. It is always easier to win a game when you have a returner take the ball to the house.
Might I just say that we have scored more than forty points against the two foes that people said had the best defenses of all four opponents we've faced so far. Many football fans laugh when you talk about the importance of special teams play in general or a punter's play in specific. Well our special teams played fabulous and up until this point with the expectation of the punter had not happened this season. This was our best game on kicking kick offs and returning. We had a good punt returns and a fabulous 99 yard kick off return. That punting outing was approaching record level. Just outstanding. When your special teams repeatedly makes them have long fields and at the same time gives you short fields and throws in a free touchdown to boot is how you get torched in yards, but win the game anyways. We were also two for two in field goals. My MVP for this game was BYU's punter. He averaged 55 yards a punt but one of those five punts was short on purpose to avoid a Virginia touchback. Good job Scott Arellano your my MVP of the game. Now my number two pick was probably Adam Hine who ran back a kick off for a touchdown.
I just want to say, "Go, Virginia." You have a real chance to win your division this year. Please do! It would make me very happy if you did.
It is a BYU by week. Have a good rest cougs.