BYU football report card: Cougars solid in win over Arizona Wildcats

After a tremendous 2020 season in which they went 11-1, the BYU Cougars opened officially what could be considered a new era on Saturday night.

In their 24-16 win over the Arizona Wildcats at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Cougars were very good in some areas but, like always and especially after a season opener, they have some things they need to get better at in order to be successful the rest of the season.

Here are the grades from the Cougars’ win.

Offense

This was the area of most intrigue for BYU heading into the season, as it had the task of replacing the second pick in the 2021 NFL draft, quarterback Zach Wilson.

All in all, Jaren Hall was very good in that role on Saturday night. He started out rather shaky, going just 2 of 7 early, but then he definitely settled into a groove as the first half went on.

At halftime, Hall was 10 of 16 for 148 yards with a touchdown. He slowed down in the second half but still finished a solid 18 of 28 for 198 yards with two touchdowns. Important context to that is the fact that he was without receivers Puka and Samson Nacua, and Gunner Romney left early with an injury.

Hall found an especially good connection with Neil Pau’u, who finished with eight catches for 126 yards with two touchdowns.

In the run game, Tyler Allgeier was also solid with 94 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, and the offensive line was good.

The Cougars will surely have to get more explosive if they want to have success this season, but that should happen if they can get their top receivers back. For now, it was a good start.

Grade: B

Grid View

• 
  
  
  
  Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Neil Pau’u (2) scores a touchdown past Arizona Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman (23) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
  
  
  Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
  
• 
  
  
  
  Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Samson Nacua (45) yells after coming off the field during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
  
  
  Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
  
• 
  
  
  
  Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Payton Wilgar (49) celebrates a sack on Arizona Wildcats quarterback Gunner Cruz (9) during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
  
  
  Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
  
• 
  
  
  
  Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona Wildcats during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. BYU won 24-16.
  
  …