BYU Newspaper: Cougar offense looks good

BYU prepares for the bowl game against Cal with a potential inside edge.  Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae spent his 2001- 2004 seasons as an offensive line coach for Texas Tech University. The Red Raiders defeated the Golden Bears 45-31 in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl last season.

Cougar players look back to Texas Tech’s victory against Cal with hopes for their own victory, assisted by seasoned veteran Anae and his tactics.

“Cal pretty much got handled last year by Texas Tech, so I would assume we have a good scheme for it,” BYU offensive lineman Jake Kuresa said. “We have not really gotten into the scheme of things yet - we are just working out and keeping in shape. I am assuming that [Anae] is familiar with what they do and how to stop what they do.” Backed with team potential and experienced coaches, Kuresa has high expectations set for the game. “I expect to win. I expect to go out there and make a good showing because I think we have a lot of talent on this team that a lot of people do not know about,” Kuresa said. Anae remains objective despite his past experiences playing Cal in a bowl game, but has strong plans in anticipation of a BYU victory.

Despite Cal’s initially young team, BYU will face a physical opponent in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl. “We plan for a very physical match up,” Anae said. “Cal, defensively had a lot of players that were new at the beginning of the year, but now have 11 games under their belt so we are preparing for an experienced group and one that is well coached.” According to Anae, Cal has a quick defense.  “You know, they both run and run fast - that is a fast defense,” Anae said. “I think team speed wise, this will be one of the fastest defenses that we have faced all year. We are preparing for a very fast opponent.” With 18 years of coaching experience and entering his 12th bowl game of his coaching career, Anae has a distinct plan for BYU’s offense to dominate Cal’s speed.  “We want to defeat [speed] with ourselves being decisive,” Anae said “I would like us to go into the game with the mind set of being fast with our assignment, our technique and be decisive football players. That is how you beat speed on defense, by being decisive on offense, and that is going to be our approach.” No matter the influence of past experience, Anae looks forward to potentially defeating Cal in a bowl game for the second year in a row.  “I feel very excited. Anytime you get to go to a bowl game, that is a huge perk for the program,” Anae said. “I do view this as a starting point for our program and we look forward to going to a bowl on a yearly basis.”