BYU Football: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss to Utah State

3. BYU running game virtually nonexistent without Squally Canada

When Squally Canada is healthy, he has been a catalyst for BYU’s two biggest wins to date in 2018. The running back racked up 98 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opening takedown of Arizona, adding two catches for 29 yards as well.

A couple of weeks later, Canada finished with 118 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries in the upset of Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. Since that win, though, he racked up 57 yards on 10 carries against FCS McNeese.

In his next two opportunities against FBS opponents, Canada has been unable to produce. After putting up just 13 yards on seven carries against Washington, the feature back was unable to do much against Utah State. After three early carries, it was apparent Canada lacked his usual burst into the trenches.

Without Canada, the Cougars managed to compile only 39 yards on the ground. Other than Zach Wilson’s late 26-yard scamper, BYU averaged less than one full yard per carry. Compared to the 223 yards racked up by the Aggies on the ground, the absence of a veteran power back like Canada proved far too costly for the Cougars at home on Friday.