Game Thread: Fight Hunger Bowl: Washington vs. BYU

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this season, BYU QB Taysom Hill became the first BYU player in history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season.

he originally committed to play QB for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford before switching his commitment to BYU (he is Mormon and did his mission in Australia).

In 12 starts as a sophomore this season, he ran for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns and passed for 2,645 yards and 19 touchdowns.

That type of versatility often stretches a defense to the point of breaking, something Washington defensive end Hau'oli Kikaha is keenly aware of as he prepares for the game.
"He's my main focus," said Kikaha, who this season had 10 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. "He's fast and elusive and a big guy. He's a running back playing quarterback. He's a powerful guy and he can also throw the rock. You've always got to be aware of where he's at. He's the key to their offense."

With 1,211 rush yds, Hill is now BYU's single-season QB rush yardage leader

There have been only two FBS underclassmen w/ 1,200+ yds and 2,600+ pass yds in same season. Johnny Manziel last year, Taysom Hill this year

In 2013, Hill (321.3 ypg) is 3rd among FBS sophomores in total offense; Manziel 1st (368.2), Mariota 2nd (332.8); Winston (Fr.), 4th (308.7)

 

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[RACER-MIKE]

huskies will beat BYU

 

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this is the last Fight Hunger Bowl to be played in AT&T Park. Next year, the bowl is moving to the San Francisco 49ers' brand new stadium, currently in the final stages of construction in Santa Clara, California

 

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team photo at AT&T Park

 

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pic from BYU's pep rally in Union Square

 

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ESPN:

--Both teams run an up-tempo style of offense that will put a lot of strain on the opposing team's defense.

--Well-known nationally is hybrid defensive end/OLB Kyle Van Noy, who pretty much single-handedly won the Poinsettia Bowl last year for the Cougars. Washington's offensive line has been steady and consistent, but keeping Van Noy out of the backfield poses as big a challenge as any pass rusher the Huskies have seen this season. How the Huskies protect quarterback Keith Price and open up holes for Sankey will be the matchup to watch.

 

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ESPN's Pac 12 bloggers make their predictions:

Ted Miller: BYU 30, Washington 24.

Kevin Gemmell: Washington 38, BYU 27 (although he adds: BYU has a knack for winning in the postseason. They are very good at embracing the us-vs.-the-world mentality. They have playmakers who, when not checked, can be dangerous. So a disciplined, schematically-sound performance from Washington will be needed. Taysom Hill will get his yards)

 

[FORKWDEVIL]

Washington Wins from ASU Pac12 baby!

 

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CBS Sports

 

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CBS Sports:
I'm in love with the idea of Bishop Sankey and the Washington offensive line going up against this BYU defensive front. The BYU run defense allowed only 3.82 yards per carry and nine touchdowns this season, and Sankey finished the regular season with 1,775 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Odds are the team that wins this battle wins the game

Yahoo Sports:
Bishop Sankey trying to run the ball against a BYU front seven that allowed just nine rushing touchdowns is going to be a fantastic matchup.

 

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the Huskies are looking for their first nine-win season since 2000.....13 years ago

Marques Tuiasosopo was the UW QB back in 2000.... now he is the UW interim head coach

Marques Tuiasosopo (#11)

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I had a pair of comped tix for the game from my job, but gave them to a neighbor because I'm fighting a pretty bad cold today and don't feel much like going.

 

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BYU D
#4 in passes defended per game
#9 in fewest rushing TDs allowed
#10 in fewest yards per pass att allowed
#12 total defense, yards per play allowed
#13 in fewest TDs allowed
#13 in fewest plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#17 in fewest passing plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#19 in redzone defense, TD% allowed
#21 scoring D
#21 pass efficiency D
#21 in fewest rushing plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#22 in fewest rushing 1st downs allowed

Washington D
#6 in fewest yards per pass att allowed
#12 pass efficiency D
#22 total defense, yards per play allowed
#33 in fewest plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#34 scoring D
#34 in fewest TDs allowed
#35 in passes defended per game
#39 in fewest rushing plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#45 in fewest passing plays of 10-plus yds allowed
#48 in fewest rushing 1st downs allowed
#58 in fewest rushing TDs allowed
#65 in redzone defense, TD% allowed

 

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staff at TheScore.com issues their picks

Chris Battaglia: Washington
Rob Pizzola: Washington
Mike Dickson: BYU
Gino Bottero: BYU ("expect the BYU defense to be up to the task against UW")
Scott Lewis: undecided ("it may ultimately come down to whose rushing attack pounds the other's into submission...this should be a fun one")

 

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BYU offense
#10 rushing offense
#14 total offense

Washington offense
#8 total offense
#14 rushing offense


Kevin McGuire of NBC Sports College Football Talk:
The Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco certainly will not be starving for offense. Washington and BYU should each have some success moving the football in this game with top 15 offenses and the ability to put up 30 points per game...This game has potential to be back-and-forth...PREDICTION: Washington 36, BYU 34

 

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San Francisco Examiner:

one thing can be counted on in tonight's Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park: There will be plenty of scoring.

"All year long, we talked about how we wanted to be the fastest team in the Pac-12 (tempo-wise)," interim Washington coach Marques Tuiasosopo said. "So obviously Oregon comes to your mind. We worked really hard and we started studying BYU, we go, 'Man these guys are faster than them.' One-hundred-thirty plays against the University of Houston is unbelievable. They have tremendous players."

When asked about the keys to victory in this game, both coaches talked only about slowing down the opposing offense, while each revealing a confidence in their team's ability to move the ball.

 

[kcden]

I had a pair of comped tix for the game from my job, but gave them to a neighbor because I'm fighting a pretty bad cold today and don't feel much like going.

My wife has been fighting a cold/the flu for a couple of weeks and took a turn much worse on Christmas... I had to cancel our trip for the game yesterday morning
Too late to sell the tickets, so I just have them sitting on my coffee table, at home in Washington.