It’s funny the difference a week can make.  Now that I’ve given the game a few minutes to sink in I must say that I have never been more impressed with an offensive line considering my expectations.

The line struggled so much last week that this kind of showing is almost beyond comprehension.  I know everyone will talk about Robert Anae and Taysom Hill and  Jamaal Williams and even  Paul Lasike, but I want to give some love to that offensive line First.  They were outstanding tonight.  After the first quarter they dominated the game.  They opened up massive holes against one of the most experienced defenses in America.  All in all, it was just a remarkable effort.

Now onto the guys who took advantage of those running lanes.  If Hill lost a step after surgery, I didn’t see it.  He was phenomenal every time he decided to tuck the ball and run.  It reminded me very much of Vince Young from his days at Texas.  He made guys miss all night long.  A Part of me wanted to see him breaking the single game rushing record tonight but he came up 13 yards shy, with an amazing 259 yards and three touchdowns, on just 17 carries.  Even if you remove Hill’s ground output, the Cougars still rushed for nearly 300 yards.  Jamaal Williams was explosive when he needed to be and shifty when that what was called for.  Williams carried the ball 30 times for 182 yards before he got bent awkwardly and left the game late in the fourth quarter.  Paul Lasike also put his stamp on this game.  He did that with his absolute power.  Lasike helped to change the game in the second quarter and seemed to take the wind out of the Longhorns’ sails.  Even though he didn’t quite hit the century mark, he was a force.  Lasike finished the game with 87 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries.  All told, BYU set their all-time rushing record tonight by amassing 550 yards on the ground.  That total was also the most rushing yards a Longhorns defense has ever given up.

The passing game needs plenty of work but it was clear that Cody Hoffman makes a huge difference in the Cougar offense.  He made two key grabs for 63 yards that would’ve been drops for most guys.  Even though there is room for improvement, Hill was more comfortable in the second half as a passer.  He needs to put more touch on the ball on the short to intermediate throws but that will come.  For the game, Hill completed only 9 of 26 passes for 129 yards and one interception.

Even though the offense was massive, the defense had plenty to say about the outcome of the game as well.  The front seven was spectacular at times and made it very difficult for David Ash to get comfortable.  That showed in his decision-making the whole game, until he left the game mid-way through the fourth quarter with an injury.

Kyle Van Noy was Spectacular as usual but tonight he had plenty of help.  Alani Fua, Eathyn Manumaleuna, Remington Peck and Bronson Kaufusi were in the backfield constantly and made it impossible to double team Van Noy.  The corners made enough plays to keep Texas from passing on every play, which was huge.  They weren’t alone in that effort as both Craig Bills and Daniel Sorenson were everywhere.  Both have great closing speed and always seemed to be in the right position.  The Cougars defense got big stops when they needed it as the Longhorns only converted on one fourth down and that came on a very questionable pass interference call.

It is also important to mention that the Cougar special teams did their jobs very well, converting on every PAT and field goal.  BYU didn’t play a perfect game, but made huge strides to that end.

Now onto the rivalry game.  BYU has two weeks to prepare for the Utah Utes, who are coming off a very impressive performance against FCS opponent Weber State.