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PROVO — As the Cougars welcomed November in Tennessee two weeks ago, all they could think about was getting a win. After what seemed to be a never-ending October full of injury and woe, BYU needed a change … and fast. The defense seemed uncharacteristically uncertain, but it found the victory it was looking for against the Blue Raiders. Tuesday, defensive players said snapping that losing streak gave them some much-needed confidence as they prepare to host UNLV on Saturday.
“I think we kind of got our groove back having a win,” said sophomore defensive back Kai Nacua. “It felt good getting a win again, so I think everyone’s refocused and they know what we need to do … and just want to do a lot better than we were.”
The Cougars face a 2-8 Rebel team with a quarterback who’s comfortable on his feet. Defensive coordinator Nick Howell says containing UNLV’s quarterback will be key to a Cougar victory on Saturday.
“I think their quarterback scrambles really good,” Howell said. “As soon as he doesn’t take his first key, he takes off, and that keeps drives alive. That’s what I think they’re really good at.”
Junior quarterback Blake Decker is the team’s second-leading rusher, averaging 30.8 yards per game. He’s also second in the Mountain West in passing yards per game averaging 243.3 yards per game.
The Rebels’ only two wins this season were both at home against Northern Colorado and in an overtime win against Fresno State. While UNLV hasn’t posted the greatest record this season, the Cougars said they aren’t looking past anyone at this point.
“It’s just like every game,” Nacua said. “Every game you’ve gotta go all out no matter what the opponent’s record is or who they are. Just give it everything you’ve got.”
A win on Saturday would make the Cougars bowl eligible for the 10th straight season. The team is contracted to play in the Miami Beach Bowl against an American conference opponent. Howell says that sixth win would be great to gain bowl eligibility, but it’s not his only goal this season.
“I just think it’s the sixth win and it means you’re bowl eligible,” Howell said. “We just want to win every game and we’re kinda pissed that we lost the games that we lost. … I wanna win this game, and if it’s six, good … we wanna win … and we’re not happy when we don’t win, so that’s how we feel.”
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Injury update:
Both coach Howell and head coach Bronco Mendenhall said they are hopeful that Craig Bills will return for Saturday’s game but that they want to make sure he’s completely healthy before he gets back on the field.
“The way that Craig plays, if you’re him, you’ve gotta feel like you can fly in there and hit somebody because that’s his game,” Howell said. “When [the doctors] say yes, and he says I’m gonna run in there and do my thing, then let’s go.”
Players have also noted that Alani Fua has been back in the mix at practice this week. Sydney Carlson is a KSL sports radio intern and producer at BYUtv Sports. You can follow her on Twitter @sydneykayc
