BYU is one of 22 offensive line units named to Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll
NEW YORK (Nov. 23, 2020) — The BYU offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll on Monday for its outstanding play as an overall unit in 2020.
The Cougars are one of 22 teams being considered for the annual award recognizing the nation’s most outstanding offensive line. The announcement was made by The Foundation for Teamwork, which has presented the unique award since 2015.
Coached by Eric Mateos, BYU’s experienced and talented offensive line boasts a combined 160 starts and helps power a potent offensive attack for the Cougars in 2020. BYU ranks No. 4 in scoring offense (47.6 ppg) and No. 7 in total offense (535.8 ypg) and leads the nation in plays of 30 or more yards while ranking No. 2 in both plays of 10 or more and 20 or more yards.
Outland Trophy candidates Brady Christensen (Jr. LT) and James Empey (Jr. C)—also a Rimington Trophy candidate—headline BYU’s physical front. Clark Barrington (So. LG), has started every game this year after a Freshman All-America season a year ago, while Tristen Hoge (Sr. RG), Chandon Herring (Sr. RG/RT) and Blake Freeland (So. RT) have manned the starting rolls on the right side of the line. Other contributors to the unit's success on the field this year have included Joe Tukuafu (Jr. C/G), Harris LaChance (So. G/T), Kieffer Longson (Sr. G/T), Conner Pay (Fr. C/G), Brayden Keim (Fr. G), Keanu Saleapaga (Jr. G/T) and Mo Unutoa (Jr. G).
The Cougars have only allowed eight sacks while protecting Heisman Trophy candidate Quarterback Zach Wilson, who ranks No. 1 in points responsible for (208), No. 2 in passing touchdowns (26), No. 2 in passing efficiency (205.3), No. 3 in passing yards (2,724), No. 3 in passing yards per attempt (11.49) and No. 4 in completion percentage (.743) among his many top rankings.
Running back Tyler Allgeier has used the holes provided by the offensive line to rank No. 8 nationally in rushing yards (851), rushing yards per attempt (7.21) and total touchdowns (11).
What the Joe Moore Award committee is saying about BYU’s strong offensive front:
“Big physical unit that likes to bully its opponents. Mature, thick frames are perfectly suited for their zone run schemes. Work well in pass pro and see it together. Good anchors and stay square fairly well in pass pro. Leave center on island a lot and trust him. QB is mobile and gets the ball out quick which helps, but they are a well-coached bunch that is a big reason why their scheme and skill players are so successful.”
The following teams also earned a spot on this year’s midseason honor roll: Air Force, No. 1 Alabama, Army, No. 8 BYU, No. 7 Cincinnati, No. 16 Coastal Carolina, No. 13 Georgia, Iowa, No. 15 Iowa State, Kentucky, No. 23 Louisiana, Louisville, Mississippi, North Texas, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 9 Oregon, San Diego State, No. 5 Texas A&M, UCLA, Virginia Tech, and No. 18 Wisconsin.
These units have gained the attention of the Joe Moore Award voting committee as it moves closer to announcing the selection of semifinalists on Dec. 7 and finalists on Dec. 21. Selection of the 2020 Joe Moore Award winner will be made public in late December or early January after a surprise announcement on the winning unit’s campus, as mutually agreed upon and circumstances allow.