BYU Football Game Week – at SMU – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Site

“I’m excited about the weekend, the start of the season and the 1-0. I’m excited for our next game. After watching the film and evaluating our performance, I see that there are a lot of things we can improve. We can play better and cleaner, but I’m proud of our guys’ performance overall. I’m excited about this next step, going on the road and playing against SMU.”

On the health and role of defensive coordinator Jay Hill in week two
“Jay is doing great. We’re getting to work and getting ready for SMU. That’s his defense. I expect him to return to his role as defensive coordinator. I don’t know if he’ll be on the field or in the box.”

For the health of the team
“No season-ending injuries, so that’s good. We’ve got some guys that are banged up. It was a physical game. Right now, it looks like everyone is in good shape to play in this game this weekend. Right now, we expect everyone to come through.”

Among the improvements the team can make in the second week
“On defense, we have to control the quarterback’s running game. We’re going to see a lot of that this week, especially. On offense, we have to finish drives and find ways to capitalize on opportunities. On special teams, I felt like we set up some really good returns, but we have to catch the ball to get them going. We know how to fix those things, and we’re excited to start doing that with practice today.”

In the fight against SMU
“They have an explosive team and they’re favored in this game. So this is an opportunity for our guys to prove themselves and figure out how they can improve and compete against a very impressive SMU team. They have really good athletes. They have a couple of quarterbacks that can make plays. They’re very active, very athletic and can throw the ball well, too.”

About SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee
“Rhett Lashlee is a good friend of mine. He’s a great coach who knows how to run an offense, call a game and run a program. I think he’s one of the best coaches in college football. He’s done a great job with this program. (At the 2022 New Mexico Bowl) we were able to sit down and have a meal together. I was really impressed with him when I got to be with him and his family. He has a brilliant mind when it comes to football.”

On the performance of the defensive line against Southern Illinois
“I thought they took a beating up front against an experienced offensive line. We challenged them to play physical and get the job done. They did that and I’m proud of our coaches for preparing them. This is a game and we have to be consistent week to week and game to game.”

On the performance of the linebackers against Southern Illinois
“There are still some plays to be made, but overall they did some good things. They’re comfortable in the system, in the scheme. It’s a lot different having these guys who know what they’re doing now. It’s a night and day difference when the guys get more time in the system. I liked that we rotated and had fresh guys. We had Choe (Bryant-Strother), Aisea Moa and Sione Moa playing, Siale Esera as well. That’s a deep position group for us.”

On the development of wide receiver Chase Roberts
“He’s getting more mature on offense. He understands being on offense a little more every year. I know he’s only on the list at one position, but he can do more. He can play tight end if we need him to.”

On his memories of BYU vs. SMU in the 1980 Holiday Bowl
“I was five years old when the game happened. I don’t remember much, but I remember watching highlights when I was eight. I was the kind of kid who was constantly watching replays of games. It was cool to see that SMU team with guys like Eric Dickerson. And then you see guys like Kyle Whittingham and Jim McMahon for BYU. There are some cool moments in that game, like Jim McMahon not wanting to punt and keeping the offense out. I grew up hearing those stories as a kid and then being able to ask LaVell (Edwards) about it as a BYU player.”