BYU Football vs. Portland State: 3 things we learned

3. The BYU passing offense is just okay

Replacing a starting quarterback is never the optimal way for any team to start the season. But that’s the situation that the Cougars find themselves in this season. Their situation, however, is a bit unique given the experience that Tanner Mangum brings to the table.

Mangum has a career 60.3 completion percentage and has thrown for 3,618 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In 2015 he was meant to be the backup to Taysom Hill, but a Week 1 injury made him the defacto starter for the season. Mangum isn’t as green as the rest of the new starting quarterbacks around the nation.

He showed that he’s not too rusty on Saturday. After trading scoreless drives, Mangum took over and was able to move the ball against a Portland State defense that was playing in relatively tight coverage. He finished with a modest line– 16 for 27 with 194 yards and one touchdown.

The Cougars didn’t take many risks against Portland State. Most of their passes were strictly horizontal with the occasional deep shot to keep the defense honest. Mangum wasn’t put into a position where he had to win the game himself, he was asked to keep the offense moving.

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That’s what Mangum is. He’s a smart passer that’s not going to take over a game by himself. That could prove troublesome if the Cougars can’t find some playmakers to help him out. 14 points is not going to cut it against most of the FBS teams they’re going to play this season.