Unheralded defenders silenced skeptics

PROVO — The glitter might go to the quarterbacks, but the glory of BYU's opening victory over Washington goes to an unlikely bunch of defenders.

On an opening day with BYU's two-headed quarterback situation and hype over the return of eight All-Americans in LaVell Edwards Stadium the focus, all that pretty-boy stuff fell in the shadows in the fourth quarter of BYU's 23-17 win.

The QBs, junior Riley Nelson and freshman Jake Heaps, were neither a distraction nor a problem. Both greatly benefited from a defense that refused to be young.

Riddled by departing seniors from a nationally-ranked 2009 squad, this version delivered play after play in thwarting the Huskies, especially in the fourth quarter.

"It really came down to defense and special teams," said one of the QBs, Riley Nelson.

"I couldn't be more pleased, but we have a ways to go," said head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

From just returned LDS missionary Eathyn Manumaleuna's helmet tip of a last-gasp Jake Locker pass, Romey Fuga's sack of Locker and Brandon Logan's clutch pass breakup against Jermaine Kearse in the end zone, BYU's defense consistently kept Washington from mounting big drives and shut out the Huskies in the second half of a game the Pac-10 visitors led 14-12 at the break.

Younger but quicker, inexperienced but more athletic than a year ago, BYU's defense allowed Nelson and Jake Heaps to grow a little in a win.

"It was all about keeping Locker in the pocket and stopping them on third downs," said Jordan Pendleton.

Mission accomplished.

Washington gained 394 yards and ran 70 plays. But the Huskies lost the time of possession battle to the Cougars by eight minutes.

"We realized we're pretty good," said Logan. BYU lost seven starters from the Las Vegas Bowl team that beat Oregon State.

The key? Third down defense.

This was the focus all summer heading into this season, according to Logan, who credited coordinator Jaime Hill and other defensive coaches with a great game plan and emphasis on third down defense.

"It was on the board, it was in every meeting, it was in every practice all during camp. All we talked about is how we had to stop people and get our offense back on the field," said Logan.