BYU learned a lot of lessons last year during its push into the Big 12.
The big lesson from the losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is that small, seemingly simple things can be the difference between winning and losing.
His pick-six against Oklahoma while hitting the goal line at LaVell Edwards Stadium was a backbreaker and played a pivotal role in a loss that could have cost him a spot in a bowl game. Pick a number of plays, analyze the executions, decisions and play calls that, if different, could have resulted in a different outcome.
“It's a conscious effort and something you always have to work on. If everyone agrees, even in the middle of the season, even within a game, the trajectory can be very high. Yes, we want to hit that sweet spot so that we can face any adversity.”
BYU coach Kalani Sitake
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once said: They may be small things, but they are usually the difference between winning and losing. ”
This spring, BYU worked on small things in hopes of leading to big things, or at least improved consistency.
Part of that includes a new eye for detail, hiring TJ Woods for Aaron Roderick's offensive line and run game, and hiring former NFL tight ends coach Kevin to work with BYU's tight end corps. – Hired Gilbride.
This includes consultants Chad Kauha'aha'a (UCLA, USC, Utah, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Boise State, Utah State, UNLV, Weber State) and Gary Andersen (Utah State, Southern Utah, Utah State, Oregon State). ) is also added. Wisconsin).
The same can be said about BYU's revamps and additions to its strength and conditioning staff.
One of BYU's football coaches said earlier this week that the spirit and enthusiasm of the coaches and players is healthy, strong and has been since joining the program.
Losing not only brings humility, it also brings learning.
This spring, BYU is learning a lot about perfecting the little things.
Head coach Kalani Sitake told Texas 365 Sports last week that everything about the program is being evaluated. “We were a few plays away from having different results in some games. Of course anyone can say that, but it's true.”
Sitake said he will continue to rely on things that make a difference, such as culture, but will focus on the small things.
On the subject of incorporating players from the transfer portal into the roster, Sitake said this new challenge must be constantly addressed by coaches, allowing their chemistry as a team to develop naturally.
“We need a player who has buy-in and is positive,” Sitake said of former Baylor QB Gary Bohannon, who joined this winter.Sitake said Bohannon's positive attitude is a plus.
“You can't force it. Culture takes time. Even if there is a decrease in the number of people who graduate and move on, or the number of people who are retained and grow, you can't force it. It's important to develop that, but they can also form a new identity, even if they're new to the team, and even if you have everything lined up, everyone still needs to buy in.
“It's a conscious effort and something you always have to work on. If everyone agrees, even in the middle of the season, even within a game, the trajectory can be very high. There is. We want to hit that sweet spot so that we can face any kind of adversity.”
Sitake said that football requires patience and effort in order to properly develop a culture in a place and society that doesn't have much patience. That's his purpose.
Pass game coordinator Fesi Sitake, who works with the receivers, said last week that having the experienced receivers back allows them to focus on smaller things like technique and routes.
“That allows us to focus on every nuance. Last year, they had experienced transfer receivers in Darius Lassiter and Kieran Marion, but our strategy was still new. So now they has experience and that allows us to make things concrete.”
Fesi said this will allow him to focus more on the finer points of his play on offense, what techniques to use, how to match the splits he needs, and just “cross his fingers.” A play that states that alignment can be done more carefully instead of expecting it to work works.
“I feel like they've made a big leap forward. I can line up anywhere and I'm sure they know what to do.”
In BYU's running back room, coach Harvey Unga said the same thing. By making every player available for every play, rather than making them specialists in a personnel group, the offense becomes less predictable.
So if there's one small thing to take away from spring practice that ended Saturday, it's the versatility of the backs and receivers by being used in a myriad of formations rather than position groups for specific plays. may have improved.
This is a small adjustment, but it can make a difference in consistency and performance on a few plays over a game or two.
This was a big part of BYU's spring, and now it's done.
