BYU Defensive Players to Watch vs. Baylor in Week 2
Yesterday, we looked at the explosive BYU Cougars offense, and three players that could give Baylor Bears trouble in their week two matchup. While the Cougars were one of the best offenses in college football in 2021, they also fielded a solid defense as well.
The Cougars' defense held opponents to an average of 24.8 points per game while only allowing 388.8 yards per game. However, when the Cougars faced Baylor last season, they allowed 38 points and 534 yards of total offense, including 303 rushing yards.
In their Week 1 opener against the South Florida Bulls, the Cougars only allowed 21 points and 293 yards of total offense. If they can replicate their success in Week 2, then the Cougars could send the Bears home with an upset loss.
Be sure to stick with InsidetheBears.com through our season preview series, where we will analyze every opponent on Baylor's schedule in 2022.
Now, on to the Cougars' defensive players the Bears should be studying:
Defensive Back Jacob Boren
In the Cougars' Week 1 victory over the Bulls, Boren was a catalyst for BYU defensively. He led the Cougars with six total tackles, including the Cougars' lone sack. If he can show the same range against the Bears on Saturday, he'll help neutralize a potent Baylor offense.
Linebacker Max Tooley
Tooley was another force for the Cougars' defense against the Bulls. In the victory Tooley recorded five total tackles, four of which were solo. He also recorded the only Cougars' interception of the game, which he would return 35 yards for a touchdown. He's shown both an ability to make stops in the run game as well as force turnovers, which could cause problems for the Bears' offense.
Linebacker Ben Bywater
Last season Bywater was one of only 26 Cougars' players to play in all 13 games, putting together an impressive freshman season. Bywater continued that success in the Cougars' season opener, recording five total tackles and a pass breakup. Like Tooley, Bywater has shown the ability to stop the run and play in coverage, which will only make life more difficult for the Bears on Saturday.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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Connor Zimmerlee is a writer and reporter for the FanNation network. Zimmerlee received his Bachelor's of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism with a Master's of Science in Journalism with a Specialization in Sports Media.