BYU’s New Offense Just Getting Started

PROVO, Utah – Coming off a solid offensive showing against Arizona in which they accumulated nearly 400 yards, the BYU football program feels they can do even better as the season goes on. According to offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, the Cougars still have plenty of tricks left in the bag.

“We’re an offense that maintains the same core concepts and we run them a lot of different ways, but we certainly have a lot of playbook left,” said Grimes, who is in his first year at the position.

“We probably called about half of the calls, maybe more than half of the calls that we actually had on the call sheet for this game,” he said of the strategy implemented for the Arizona.

Quarterback Tanner Mangum, who threw for 209 yards and a touchdown in the win, feels good about the offense that Grimes has installed.

“He gives our offense a lot of balance and he gives our offense a lot of options and different things that we can do,” Mangum said. “Everyone knows that they have a role to play, that they have a part, that they can contribute, that they can make plays for us. So I think with that it only helps our offense.”

The Cougars’ next opponent, Cal, feels that BYU’s offense will be a challenge to defend. Cal head coach Justin Wilcox cited the Cougars’ pre-snap movement, running backs and tight ends.

“You got to be really disciplined pre-snap,” said Wilcox. “Great communication is critical and they’re very, very physical. Obviously their O-line, run game, tight ends are accomplished – and they’re making plays on the perimeter.”

Wilcox also praised the play of Mangum, saying, “he’s a guy who’s played a lot and does a really nice job.”

“It’ll be a great challenge,” he concluded.

BYU will host Cal Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium.