BYU offense still searching for identity this late in season

FORT WORTH, Texas — It was a voice that screeched over a wall and fence and echoed against the bricks outside BYU's locker room from a guy in BYU gear holding a kid. It was a tortured voice that said, "Come on, BYU offense, play like the defense; come on, you guys, play like the defense."

It was a high, squeamish piggy kind of plea, laced under stress of what appeared to be great personal emotional inner turmoil, a guy who couldn't hold back as a crowd stared. BYU's football players, who'd been delayed outside their locker room after the loss to TCU because a guy failed to show up with a key, caught the show.

Some laughed. Some told the guy to go away.

Finally, he did.

In TCU's 31-3 win over BYU Saturday, the Frogs struggled to get anything going for all but 90 seconds of the first half before exploding for two touchdowns. Meanwhile, BYU's offense struggled mightily, gaining just 13 yards and one first down in the opening two quarters.

"We're not getting enough chunk plays, you know, splash plays, to give us opportunities to score points," said BYU quarterback Brandon Doman. "There's no consistency or continuity right now."

Doman said BYU's offense needed to avoid third-and-longs and they couldn't do it. That prevented the Cougars from even getting to their game plan for TCU.

True, the Cougars have had their issues on offense this year, but really, in this game against the nation's top rushing and scoring defense, did anyone expect fireworks?

If they did, delusion pills are sorely needed.

Struggling BYU offense facing outstanding defenders equals shutout or a field goal. That's what happened.

The past two years, BYU has scored 14 points on TCU's defense. Boise State scored one offensive touchdown in two meetings against these senior-laden Frog defenders. Avoiding third-and-longs was the same issue Max Hall and Dennis Pitta and Harvey Unga had with the Frogs the past two seasons.

Hail all credit on the Frogs and coach Gary Patterson. Doman praised TCU for having a fantastic football team.

But still, BYU's offense has issues. It is taking baby steps when folks like the pig squealer are used to witnessing yards and touchdowns.

Defenses like TCU and even the BYU defense feed on emotion. Offenses feed off execution. There lie BYU's issues, sprinkled with some play calls.