The raw statistical numbers when it comes to Taysom Hill are both startling and staggering.
If you go to the NCAA’s official statistical page, you’ll find 114 quarterbacks listed under passing efficiency; BYU’s starting quarterback is No. 114. If you go to ESPN.com‘s college football’s stats page, you’ll find 120 quarterbacks listed when it comes to completion percentage; you won’t find BYU’s starting quarterback among those 120.
Hill has completed just 40 of his 114 passes (35.1 percent) through three games this season, tossing three interceptions versus one touchdown.
Despite all of the statistical data that screams “change,” a move at quarterback is not even remotely on the minds of the 1-2 Cougars coaching staff.
“We are a long way away from that,” quarterbacks coach Jason Beck said when asked about yanking Hill. “We are pleased with where Taysom is at and how he’s playing, and where this is headed with the system we are running. We have tons of confidence in Taysom and his ability.”
Thus far this season, Hill’s best ability has been running rather than passing. The sophomore has rushed for 400 yards and four touchdowns, which includes 259 and three in the Cougars’ embarrassment of Texas in Week 2.
The fact that Ammon Olsen, BYU’s backup quarterback, has yet to throw a pass at the collegiate level may be playing a role in the decision to stick with Hill as well. How long Hill can continue to plumb the depths of the statistical rankings before a change is made, even for a collegiate novice like Olsen, remains to be seen.