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Provo • Just a few days before their season opener at perennial college football power Nebraska, the BYU Cougars haven't unveiled a new slogan this year.
Here's a suggestion: "In Taysom We Trust."
Clearly, the Cougars' hopes and dreams for 2015 — and they are substantial — rest on the brawny shoulders, the much-improved arm and the twice surgically repaired legs of senior quarterback Taysom Hill.
"When he's back there, we just think we're going to win," said senior receiver Mitch Mathews.
The Cougars are 14-6 in games Hill has started since he got his first start as a freshman in 2012 against Hawaii, a 47-0 win. Of course, he suffered a major season-ending knee injury the following game in the waning moments against Utah State and a season-ending fractured leg last year, also against the Aggies.
BYU went 8-7 in games that Hill did not play in after his injuries.
"He is just a winner," said sophomore center Tejan Koroma. "He is just going to figure out a way to win. That's the thing about Taysom. He is just going to do whatever he needs to do."
Hill said he was ready to play and 100 percent recovered from the injury when preseason camp began on Aug. 8, and he reiterated that Tuesday, saying he's never felt better. And he is hungry to prove that he has NFL potential against the Cornhuskers' famed Blackshirts defense.
Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. MDT on Saturday and a national television audience (ABC) will be watching to see if the Idahoan can pick up where he left off last year in leading the Cougars to a 4-0 record before leaving the game in the second quarter of an eventual 35-20 loss to Utah State.
"Yeah, it has been a long time coming," Hill said. "It's been 10 months since I have played in a football game. And, it is a little different going into my senior year. I kinda tried to slow down a little bit and take in as much as I could. So, I am very excited. I know this is going to be my last college season opener, and I am here to make the most of it. And I am making sure my preparation will allow me to be successful."
Quarterbacks coach Jason Beck has been there almost every step of the way and says Hill has improved in the two areas they targeted in the offseason: decision-making and a quick, timely release.
"He has improved," Beck said. "We have mainly focused on throwing from the pocket, so he's been sharp. We have worked on timing, decision-making, being decisive, being quick, getting the ball out fast. We feel that has gone well. We are excited for this Saturday and we will see how he plays."
Beck, a former BYU quarterback, said coaches have "totally emphasized … getting out of bounds, getting down," to Hill when he does choose to take off and run.
"But he will be fine," Beck said. "He has trained hard, rehabbed, is healthy, and he is going to have a great year."
Hill believes the Cougars will have a special year, and one that catapults not just him but several other seniors to the next level.
"I honestly think that this is the most talented team that I've played with," he said." I think one [reason], is probably because of the experience that we have offensively. And two, they have had years to mature, and they are just really good athletes, and so that's kind of where I would stand. A big difference that I've noticed is just how unified the offense and the defense has been. We really are going into Nebraska as a team, and it has been really fun to be a part of."
Make that a very big part of, his teammates would say.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Taysom Hill in season openers
Year Opponent Passing Rushing
2013 Virginia 13-for-40, 175 yds, TD,INT 42 yards, TD
2014 UConn 28-for-36, 308 yds., 3 TDs 97 yards, 2 TDs —
BYU at Nebraska
P Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: Ch. 4