Three Takeaways From BYU’s 45-19 Loss To Washington

PROVO, Utah – BYU concludes their four-game gauntlet against Power Five opponents with a 45-19 loss against the No. 22 ranked Washington Huskies.

The Cougars are the only team in college football this year that have faced three ranked teams in their first four games. To come out of that stretch 2-2 is solid. But still, BYU’s performance against the Huskies left people wanting to see more.

Let’s get into the three takeaways from Saturday’s loss on Throwback Day.

I know #BYU fans had built up hopes after back-to-back wins. I had the Cougs going 1-3 through these four games. The fact that they are 2-2 right now is something Cougar Nation shouldn't be disappointed with.#BYUFootball #WASvsBYU #KSLsports

— Sam Farnsworth (@SFarnsworthKSL) September 21, 2019

1. BYU’s margin for error against Power Five’s is slim

BYU ended Saturday’s game against Washington with nine penalties that resulted in a total of 80 yards given up. 30 of those 80 yards were on a costly drive in the first quarter.

Down 7-3, BYU linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi made a big tackle on a Washington 3rd & 9 that appeared to force Washington into a fourth down in their own territory of the field. The stop was negated by a Isaiah Herron facemask that resulted in an automatic first down.

Two face masks killed #BYU on that drive. Washington capitalized. No need to keep questioning Jacob Eason. He’s for real. #UWvsBYU #KSLsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2019

Two plays later, defensive end Uriah Leiataua committed another personal foul facemask penalty that gave Washington 15 more yards. Couple of plays later, Husky quarterback Jacob Eason found Fuller for a 17-yard touchdown reception.

BYU’s margin for error against Power Five teams is thin. Nine penalties and three turnovers are going to result in a loss nearly every time for BYU in most games, but especially against Power Five teams the caliber of Washington.

2. BYU Wide Receivers still have room to improve

Last week was an excellent performance from the Cougar wide receivers in the win against USC. Nearly any ball quarterback Zach Wilson put up, BYU’s receivers were coming down with it.

Against Washington, that same receiving group took a step back and it was self-inflicted.

Dropped passes from Talon Shumway, Gunner Romney, and Dax Milne were costly and this was a group that had only one drop entering the week.

BYU WR Micah Simon in pregame warmups. pic.twitter.com/VO32LCv6Pq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 21, 2019

Now, it didn’t help matters that senior receiver Micah Simon was battling pain in his knee entering the game. Simon went through the Cougar Walk and pregame warmups with a knee brace. The senior leader still played on Saturday despite the pain.

The hope now is that after holding their own at times against Power Five’s, these wide receivers will take off versus Group of Five opposition.

3. Regardless of his nickname, Jake Oldroyd is a huge asset

Do you remember the last time BYU made a field goal of longer than 50 yards? If you don’t remember, don’t worry. It has been awhile.

Jake Oldroyd’s 54-yard field goal make is #BYU’s longest FG since Jared McLaughlin booted a 53-yarder against Air Force in 2006. #UWvsBYU #KSLsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2019

Oldroyd’s 54-yard field goal in the second quarter with 26 seconds remaining was BYU’s first field goal of more than 50 yards since Jared McLaughlin booted a 53-yard field goal against Air Force in the Cougars magical 11-2 season that year.

Earlier this week, Oldroyd made it known he’s not a fan of the nickname “Jake The Make.” He’d rather be called “Ice Coldroyd.”

Whatever he’s called, he’s automatic for BYU and that’s a positive from a game that overall is one the Cougars will look to put in the rear view mirror quickly.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.