Saturday afternoon’s BYU vs Portland State game is one of the first of the season and the Cougars are looking to get off to a strong start.
Tanner Mangum got his first career start in a season opener for BYU on Saturday afternoon against Portland State. He takes the reigns of a BYU offense with lofty expectations in 2017. The loss of former starting quarterback Taysom Hill will be mitigated thanks to the wealth of experience that Mangum saw while Hill was injured throughout his career.
Portland state enters the game with low expectations. It will be considered a moral victory if the Vikings are still in the game at halftime, but that’s why the play the game isn’t it? Crazier things have happened. After all, Portland State upset Washington State in 2015 so the Vikings are no stranger to making their voice heard against some FBS teams.
The Vikings also defeated North Texas in 2015. They have four victories over FBS teams in their program’s history. BYU has more talent and depth and should handle the Vikings easily. Look for a steady dose of Squally Canada on the ground and a suffocated Cougar defense to rule the dale. Stay tuned here for live updates throughout the game.
Three Stars
- Squally Canada – He had a relatively quiet day save for one big play and a goal line plunge finishing with 16 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown
- Sione Takitaki – The leader of the defensive front that shut down the Viking offense. Takitaki registered two sacks
- Matt Bushman – Bushman caught three passes for 56 yards and looks like he might be a nice safety blanket for Tanner Mangum this season
Highlights
Late-arriving crowd for BYU opener pic.twitter.com/OWbJKTUGRu
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 26, 2017
Not much working on offense for either team so far. Some burst here and there, but no consistency.
Play action doesn’t fool Portland State, but freshman Matt Bushman snags the ball out of the air in traffic. The Cougars capitalize on the drive by punching it into the endzone on third down.
Matt Bushman's first catch as a BYU Cougar goes for 36 yards.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 26, 2017
Who had Neil Pau'u with the first touchdown of the season? #BYU leads Portland State 7-0 after the 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/q2QhpD0QaZ
— ESPN 960 (@espn960sports) August 26, 2017
Portland State executes a perfect pick play and gets on the board for the first time this afternoon, but misses the PAT. 14-6 BYU leads
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
BYU with a scare there, but the fumble is recovered under the pile by the Cougars. Under 2 minutes, BYU driving.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
Second Half
We’re under way in the second half, but BYU gets off to a rough start. Long carry by Fonua is called back on a holding penalty. Mangum finds Bushman again to move the chains and get the Cougars across midfield.
End third quarter: BYU 14, Portland State 6; Only 270 yards for BYU offense, which seems to be searching for a playmaker. Any playmaker.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 26, 2017
BYU gets into the endzone for what could have been the put-away touchdown, but it's called back via penalty.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
Rhett Almond's 27-yard field goal gives BYU a 17-6 lead with 13:22 left in 4Q.
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 26, 2017
First turnover of the BYU vs. PST game is a huge one. Overthrown pass is snagged by the Cougars.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
BYU leads 17-6, under 4 minutes left
FG is good this time; 20-6 #BYU on top. 2:09 to play in week 0. #BYUfootball
— Josh Ellis (@jellis9) August 26, 2017
Portland State puts up one last Hail Mary but it falls harmlessly to the turf. BYU takes over on downs and can run out the clock.
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) August 26, 2017
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BYU returns the favor and turns it over on downs on their next possession. 32 yard field goal attempt is wide left. Vikings ball.
What’s Next?
BYU will face off against SEC foe LSU in Houston, Texas, next Saturday. That will be a much better measuring stick of this team’s skill level. Portland State will face off against Oregon State on the road.