Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports
Locked On Baylor's Team Grades After the BYU Loss
The Baylor Bears 26-20 loss at BYU on Saturday was demoralizing on random levels.
Losing at 1 a.m. CT, scoring just 20 points in a game that went to double-overtime and logging 14 penalties are not good.
Analyzing the offense, this porous game was not squarely on any one aspect, but it lies heavily on the shoulders of the quarterback. Dave Aranda said it in his Monday press conference, the team did not feel comfortable throwing the ball.
If you're struggling to gauge it, that is not good. Blake Shapen is a one-dimensional quarterback, and the defense never had to worry about his ability to carry the ball.
With this in mind, BYU could face-guard receivers and utilize their defensive line to clean Shapen up whenever needed. That absolutely stunted the offense, and the team notched just 137 pass yards.
Offensive Grade: D
As for the defense, talk about a saving grace. Holding Jaren Hall and the wily Cougars offense to just 20 points in regulation was huge. With the defense working so effectively, it's a wonder the offense couldn’t put 21 points on the board.
Baylor's defense, led by Matt Jones, played at a very physical level. Albeit the secondary found themselves burnt a few times and the penalties were an issue, this unit forced three separate three-and-outs on one drive in this game.
BYU's most productive rusher, Lopini Katoa, ran for 2.9 yards per carry. That led the team.
Defensive Grade: A
Defense wins championships, but the offense still has to score.
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