South Florida mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to upset BYU last Saturday based largely on a bruising running game — and constantly running the same two plays right up the middle. The Bulls rushed for 243 of their 315 total yards.
Seven years ago, the Cougars were third in the nation in both rush defense and total defense. So far this season, BYU is ranked 123rd in rushing defense and 86th in total defense.
Opponents have averaged 224.5 rushing yards per game against BYU and have scored nine rushing touchdowns over six games. What’s happened to this historically stout defense?