Cougars take win, but know improvement still needed


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PROVO — BYU defensive back Michael Wadsworth started the 2015 calendar year buried on the depth chart, facing the final season of a career plagued by injuries and a distinct possibility that he might not crack the two-deep roster.

After five games of 2015, he worked his way back into the rotation, earned a starting spot, a "dream come true," he said. Wadsworth now leads the defense with 34 tackles, including 22 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss.

But there was one thing he took away the Monday after he helped the Cougars hold an opposing team to a season-low offensive output in a 30-13 win over UConn.

He needs to be better.

"Coach congratulated us on the win, said it was awesome to bounce back from Michigan, but there is still tons of room for improvement," Wadsworth said. "We were able to address that."

A defense that lacked leaders like linebacker Harvey Langi and nose tackle Travis Tuiloma, who could both return as early as this weekend against East Carolina, can still get better.

"The big plays they had were on our missed assignments," Wadsworth said of UConn. "We feel like we are in full control of what we give up on defense. If we play our assignments sound, we'll be able to play anyone in the country and play them tough."

Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (4) of the Connecticut Huskies is sacked by two BYU defenders during NCAA football in Provo, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. At front right is Sae Tautu (31) of Brigham Young. (Ravell Call/Deseret News)
Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (4) of the Connecticut Huskies is sacked by two BYU defenders during NCAA football in Provo, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. At front right is Sae Tautu (31) of Brigham Young. (Ravell Call/Deseret News)

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, who also serves as the team's primary defensive play-caller, also believes his team has a ways to go despite snapping a two-game losing streak that include a 31-0 shutout loss at Michigan.

"They've progressed step by step," he said of the defense. "We've continued to work on leverage, discipline, tackling, assignments and communication. Points allowed is about where I thought it would be at this point, and it's interesting to see it move below our 24-point mark.

"I'm working to make it as simple as possible."

Center Tejan Koroma added the offense is starting to come back from an embarrassing loss to the Wolverines, but he too stressed the Cougars aren't quite there yet.

"I think it's a start," Koroma said bluntly. "I feel like our offense played OK, but I still think the sky's the limit for our offense, and we'll keep getting better this week."

Beating a team like UConn by 17 points was a reminder of what the offense can do, added wide receiver Mitch Mathews.

"I think going into the next games, we have that standard back of how we played against UCLA and before. It's a reminder for us," he added. "Every win is big when you are independent, and going into the next couple of games, that game will be huge to remind us who we are."

The next chance to improve comes Saturday in a homecoming game against East Carolina and its high-scoring air raid offense.

"We are excited for how we played, and how we were able to execute," Wadsworth said. "Once again, the big plays that they got were from a missed assignment."

And he isn't forgetting where he came from.

"I've always felt like I've had the potential to be able to contribute to the team, and I've been dinged up," Wadsworth said. "It's great to finally be out there and be there with my boys."

Listen to interviews with Wadsworth, Mathews, Koroma and Mendenhall in the "Cougar Cuts" section labeled below.

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