No. 15 BYU's attention on UTSA, not rise in rankings

The directive this week for No. 15 BYU: Fixate only on UTSA, not that continual rise in the rankings.

The Cougars (3-0) enter as a 34-point favorite Saturday against Conference USA foe UTSA for a homecoming game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in which there won't be any fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

That's a big spread a week after another jump in the polls. BYU coach Kalani Sitake cautions his team, though, to stay in the moment against a formidable Roadrunners (3-1) squad.

Don't let the hype go to the head.

'œWe don't worry about (publicity) before the season, so why worry about it during?" said Sitake, who's 3-1 in homecoming games since taking over. "Stay humble as a team, stay hungry. We have a lot to prove still.'ť

One area where the Cougars keep making constant strides is their diligence with the COVID-19 protocols. The Cougars had to cancel a game against Army earlier this season because of a small cluster of cases at BYU.

It was a wakeup call.

Sitake said the team is seeing lower numbers 'œthan we've ever see. If we keep trending that way, that will help us out. Not only keep our guys on the field but trying to minimize the spread on this football team and in the program.'ť

For an increased dedication to social distancing, he credits BYU's team leaders, who don't want to see this run impeded.

'œGuys have bought in now completely to the procedures and what we are wanting to do,'ť Cougars linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi said. 'œGuys know how special of a team we are and so they've really bought into that as well, like '~Hey, we've got a good team. We've got a special thing going and don't ruin it for others. Don't ruin it for yourself. Let's just keep this thing going.'"

The Cougars are bracing for a stern test from the Roadrunners, who are 0-5 against nationally ranked FBS teams over their 10-year history. UTSA won three straight before a 21-13 loss last weekend at UAB.

'œWe have to find a way to give our kids a chance this Saturday, whatever that is,'ť UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said. 'œWe have to spend every second giving our kids a chance to be successful.

"We are going to go up there and find a way to scrap and see if we can hang in there with them and pull off a shocker.'ť

POWERFUL ON BOTH SIDES

BYU is ranked No. 1 in total offense (585.7 yards per game) and total defense (214.3).

What's more, the Cougars have 148 points through three games. It's the third-most in the opening three games in team history, trailing only the 2001 squad (166 points) and the '77 team (158).

On defense, BYU has surrendered just 24 points in three games. That joins the 1952 team as the fewest given up over the opening three games.

ZACH ATTACK

BYU junior quarterback Zach Wilson has as many incomplete passes (11) this season as touchdowns (six throwing, five rushing).

'œHe can really spin it,'ť Traylor said. 'œHe is the best quarterback we have played. He is an NFL quarterback."

NO FANS

For a third straight home game, fans won't be permitted inside LaVell Edwards Stadium because of COVID-19 restrictions.

'œWe've got to keep the passion and excitement going," Sitake said. "The fans can help feed that, but we're not going to be worried about that. We're not going to be worried about fans in the stands. We're not going to be worried about anything other than focusing on UTSA.'ť

MULTIPLE QBs

The Cougars are preparing to see multiple UTSA quarterbacks. The current depth chart lists both Lowell Narcisse and Frank Harris as starters. Harris started the opening three games and Josh Adkins began at UAB. Jordan Weeks also saw time last weekend.

'œThey all have their own unique skill set,'ť Sitake said.

WORK LOAD

UTSA sophomore running back Sincere McCormick leads the FBS with 527 yards rushing and averages 151.8 all-purpose yards a game.

Any thought to lessening his workload in this nonconference contest?

'œIt is just impossible to coach that way,'ť Traylor said. 'œAm I going to be crazy and give it to (McCormick) 40 times? That is not smart, either. We are going to stick with our plan and do what we try to do and see what that does.'ť

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