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PROVO — BYU’s offense as it opened the first game of the Big 12 era was more Picasso than Van Gogh, and one of the most impressive players on the field may have been punter Ryan Rehkow (except for one play, but we’ll get to that).
But the defense more than made up for it, pitching the program’s first shutout since a 64-0 win over Savannah State in 2014 and the first clean sheet against an FBS opponent since a 47-0 win over Hawaii in 2012.
Quarterback Kedon Slovis scored two rushing touchdowns, and Jakob Robinson had a pair of second-half interceptions as BYU opened the 2023 with a 14-0 win over FBS newcomer Sam Houston in front of an announced crowd of 59,006 fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Slovis completed 20-of-33 passes for 145 yards, and freshman running back LJ Martin added 91 yards on 16 carries in his collegiate debut at BYU (1-0), which punted nine times for 479 yards, with seven punts of 50 yards or more against an offense that totaled 257 yards on 67 plays.
That’s the fewest offensive output in a season opener since BYU gained just 225 yards against No. 1 Florida State in 2000, a 29-3 loss to open Sitake’s senior season as a player.
“It’s frustrating,” Slovis admitted. “You’ve got to stay positive; a win’s a win, and we won by 14 points. We didn’t have any turnovers. But as an offense, we have higher expectations than what happened tonight. … We know we’re better than that, and we’ll come back better in the future.”
But the story on the night was the defense, even without starting safety Micah Harper (knee) and his replacement Talan Alfrey (shoulder). Ben Bywater and Max Tooley each had nine tackles, Eddie Heckard had an interception, Tyler Batty had a sack, and the Cougars allowed Sam Houston (0-1) past midfield just once in the Bearkats’ first eight drives of the game en route to 185 yards allowed.
After an offseason of continuity on the offensive staff with hand-picked transfers to run Aaron Roderick’s system, including Slovis, running back Aidan Robbins and new offensive linemen Paul Maile, Weylin Lapuaho, Ian Fitzgerald and Caleb Etienne, it was the sparkling new defense run by former Weber State head coach Jay Hill that perhaps impressed the most.
“Glad we got the win. I’m really pleased with a bunch of guys that played tonight, and overall just happy we got the win,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “We had too many long faces in the locker room. … Obviously, they feel like we didn’t play our best, and that’s OK. We’ll fix it; that’s my job as head coach.
“Give a lot of credit to Sam Houston. I thought they came ready to play. I’ve been praising (Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler). … He’s one of the best coaches in college football. I’m just glad that we were able to make more plays and get the shutout.”
After Batty opened the game with his sack to cap a three-and-out, BYU capped its first possession on offense with a rushing touchdown from Slovis. The former USC and Pitt quarterback led an eight-play, 50-yard drive over just under three minutes, with a 5-yard rush that put the Cougars up 7-0 behind a key block by Mata’ava Ta’ase.
Slovis also went over the 10,000-yard passing mark for his career in the first quarter, completing a 9-yard toss to Chase Roberts to become BYU’s fourth quarterback with more than 10,000 career passing yards.
But that was the highlight of the rest of the half, except for the late-night crowd that enjoys defense and punting.
The Cougars punted on five of their next six drives — the other was a turnover on downs with 2:31 left in the first quarter — and were held scoreless the rest of the half. BYU had 96 yards of offense after the first quarter, but finished the half with 116.
BYU’s defense, meanwhile, forced seven straight punts in the first half before the Bearkats took a knee to end the half down just 7-0; created 10 “havoc” plays with six tackles for loss, a sack and three interceptions; and added seven quarterback hurries with a combination of twists, stunts, blitzes and even a 4-2-5 defense that featured former FCS All-American cornerback Heckard playing nickel.
Heckard finished with two tackles and a pick, and fellow Weber State transfer Kamden Garrett added four tackles, including a tackle for loss. With those two patroling the perimeter, Robinson said he wasn’t surprised to see a few extra passes than he normally gets, which he was more than obliged to counter with two interceptions to go along with five tackles.
“I don’t blame them; just look at me,” the former Orem High standout said with a grin. “I’d throw it to my side, too.”
After a disastrous fake punt attempt by Rehkow — one for which Sitake took full credit as he looked to provide a spark on an anemic offense — Robinson returned serve with a crucial interception inside the Bearkats’ red zone.
Rehkow, whose 53.2 yards per punt average passed Lee Johnson (46.9 yards/punts) as BYU’s career leader in punting average at 47.3 yards, briefly left the game after visiting the medical tent. But the junior from Spokane, Washington, eventually returned to finish out his nine-punt performance.
The Cougars eventually found their offense in an unlikely spot: first-year tailback Martin, who overtook starter Robbins, with 36 yards on six carries in the first three quarters that included an 8-yard rush to set up Slovis’ 1-yard quarterback sneak to double the advantage at 14-0 with 14:49 remaining.
His 21-yard run in the second half was the longest play from scrimmage of the game.
“He’s so mature, both in the way he carries himself and in his knowledge of the game. You wouldn’t think he’s a freshman,” Slovis said. “I’m super impressed with him. Everyone else is kind of surprised, but I think everyone in the building knew what we had and the type of player he is. … We had high expectations for him.”
Robbins finished with 23 yards on seven carries, while Roberts and Eastern Michigan transfer Darrius Lassiter led the receivers with 42 and 43 yards, respectively, for a BYU team playing without two of its top receivers in Kody Epps and Keanu Hill.
Sam Houston quarterback Keegan Shoemaker threw for 147 yards and three interception, and leading rusher John Gentry had just 19 of the team’s 38 rushing yards.
“Our goal was to keep them under 120,” Bywater admitted. “We played well in the front seven, and our corners tackled really well, too.”
