BYU-ECU outcome depends on third-down dominance


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PROVO — BYU coach Kelly Poppinga knows that third down is an opportunity to throw off the opponent's offense.

"When you have great players with good scheme, that confuses the offense and you're going to get pressure on the quarterback," he said.

Bronson Kaufusi's presence surely has confused BYU opponents. Last week, the 6-foot-8, 280-pound defensive lineman had a sack and two tackles for a loss.

Those statistics are pretty standard for an outstanding defensive end, but that's not all Kaufusi did last Friday against UConn.

On a third-and-1 play, BYU brought safety Kai Nacua on a blitz and dropped Kaufusi into coverage and the pressure caused UConn's Bryant Shirreffs to throw a pass that Kaufusi easily intercepted to give the Cougars the ball where a quick score followed.

"Third down is a special down because that's where we get to pin our ears back and just let go," Kaufusi said. "We always are looking forward to third down."

BYU's defense favorite down to play might be third down, but East Carolina's offense loves third down as well.

Currently, ECU is first in the nation in third-down conversions, converting on 55 percent of attempts. Meanwhile, BYU ranks 36th in the nation in allowing just 31 percent of third-down conversions.

Poppinga said East Carolina is the third-best offense that BYU will face this year, saying only UCLA and Michigan had better offenses.

ECU has great skills players, including running back Chris Hairston and wide receiver Isaiah Jones. Hariston is averaging 77 all-purpose yards through five games. Jones has nearly 500 receiving yards.

BYU defensive linemen Bronson Kaufusi (90) and Logan Taele (62) tackle Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) in Lincoln, NE Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. BYU won 33-28 on a last second touchdown pass. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
BYU defensive linemen Bronson Kaufusi (90) and Logan Taele (62) tackle Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) in Lincoln, NE Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. BYU won 33-28 on a last second touchdown pass. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

Jones, a junior, also ranks third for most career receptions in school history with 181 and fourth overall for career receiving yards with 1,907.

Perhaps the greatest problem ECU poses for BYU is its dual-quarterback system. The Pirates play pocket-passer Blake Kemp, who has 1,100 passing yards. Alongside Kemp's arm the Pirates feature the mobile James Summers, who has 225 rushing yards to complement his 276 passing yards.

Poppinga was especially impressed with Summers.

"He's running dudes over; he's dragging (players) down the field," he said.

With all these threats, the Cougar defense might be intimidated but familiarity is on its side. Linebacker Jherremya Leuta-Douyere says the Cougars are accustomed to the Pirates' pass-attack style.

"(ECU is) similar to our own offense. When Taysom (Hill) was in it was more of a running style, and now with Tanner in it's more passing," said Leuta-Douyere. "It's not as stressful as other weeks because we've seen these plays in fall camp."

The Cougars don't see the two-quarterback system as an unconquerable challenge. To beat the two-quarterback system acquires awareness, according to Kaufusi.

"One likes to run the ball a lot, (so for him) you have to stay in your rushing lanes (and the other is) a passer, so we have to get after him and let him know we're there," Kaufusi said.

The Cougars plan to be focused especially on third down, which could be a key turning point come Saturday. David Boyle is a student at Brigham Young University studying journalism. He is from Monticello, Utah, and is thrilled to be covering BYU football and basketball for fall 2015. Follow David on twitter @dboyle119

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