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USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What Colorado football fans need to know about the BYU Cougars
Following their meeting in the Alamo Bowl last season, Colorado and BYU are set to face off in a Big 12 matchup during Week 5 of this season. The two programs have met 12 times, with Colorado holding a 7-4-1 record. However, the Buffs have lost their last three meetings, with their last win dating back to 1947. Coming off a strong 2024 season, BYU was expected to build upon its 11-2 season, but has had a bumpy offseason. Projected starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff withdrew from the program and is attempting to play college football elsewhere. That is a massive blow to a Cougars squad that seemed so close to putting it all together for a possible College Football Playoff run. With a significant question mark at quarterback, here's a look at BYU heading into the 2025 season. Opponent Previews: Georgia Tech, Delaware, Houston, Wyoming 2024 in review As we discussed above, BYU dismantled Colorado in the Alamo Bowl, 36-14, to cap off a tremendous season. The Cougars opened the year with nine straight wins, including a lopsided victory over then-ranked Kansas State. However, BYU followed that win streak by going 1-2 to close out the regular season, which was enough to see them lose out on a spot in the Big 12 championship game on tiebreaks. Head coach profile Kalani Sitake enters his tenth season as BYU's head coach, becoming one of the longest tenured head coaches in the conference. The former BYU player himself, Sitake, owns an impressive 72-43 record as the Cougars' head man. In his nine seasons in Provo, he has only had two losing seasons. Sitake always seems to have his teams ranked toward the end of the season. Top offensive players BYU returns its starting running back and its top wide receiver from last season. Running back LJ Martin has the potential to become one of the Big 12's best after rushing for 718 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. With mobile quarterback Jake Retzlaff out of the picture, expect Martin to be even more of a factor on offense. Chase Roberts, BYU's leading receiver from a season ago, racked up 854 yards and four touchdowns. We don't know yet who will be throwing him the football, but he has the talent to eclipse 1,000 yards this year. Top defensive player The top defensive player without a doubt goes to BYU's do-it-all linebacker, Isaiah Glasker. The junior defensive playmaker recorded 70 tackles last season to go along with 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three interceptions, one forced fumble and a defensive touchdown. Glasker filled out the stat sheet every time he took the field and comes into his third season of college football looking to become nationally recognized. 2025 schedule Way-too-early Colorado matchup preview A few weeks ago, I might have said Colorado has an uphill battle with BYU seemingly returning most of its production from 2024, but now things have changed. Having a question mark at quarterback like the Cougars do, a month away from the season, does not bode well for offensive chemistry. Furthermore, the quarterbacks currently on BYU's roster are very inexperienced. The Buffaloes will still need to play their "A" game, but the opening for a win is much larger without Retzlaff. Originally, I predicted a loss for Colorado, as I think they will beat one of Iowa State or BYU. The uncertainty regarding the BYU offense has me rethinking my prediction. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoids comment on QB Jake Retzlaff's status amid transfer rumors
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — BYU coach Kalani Sitake declined to address the status of Jake Retzlaff on Tuesday amid reports that the quarterback is transferring after being accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was dismissed. Retzlaff reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal rather than face a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church. Retzlaff acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. 'I think it'll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first,' Sitake said at Big 12 football media days. 'I think that's his right. I think it's a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I'm going to give him the opportunity to do that.' Asked about how the team was reacting to losing the quarterback who started 13 games last season, Sitake spoke generally about competition among quarterbacks without acknowledging whether Retzlaff was still on the roster. Assuming Retzlaff is moving on, the Cougars will have a quarterback competition in preseason workouts. Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier and McCae Hillstead, who previously was at Utah State, are considered the frontrunners. 'I think for me it's just allowing the guys to compete in the quarterback room we have,' Sitake said. 'The fortunate part for me is I have a coaching staff that was able to keep intact. And so there's always a knowledge of the offense for the guys that are there and then we have incoming talent that I think it'd be really special for us. So let's settle it on the field, let them compete and then I only know one way and I just play the best guys. That's how it works.' Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as the Cougars contended for a spot in the Big 12 championship game before settling for an 11-2 finish that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Colorado. ___ AP college football:
Fox Sports
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoids comment on QB Jake Retzlaff's status amid transfer rumors
Associated Press FRISCO, Texas (AP) — BYU coach Kalani Sitake declined to address the status of Jake Retzlaff on Tuesday amid reports that the quarterback is transferring after being accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was dismissed. Retzlaff reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal rather than face a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church. Retzlaff acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. 'I think it'll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first,' Sitake said at Big 12 football media days. 'I think that's his right. I think it's a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I'm going to give him the opportunity to do that.' Asked about how the team was reacting to losing the quarterback who started 13 games last season, Sitake spoke generally about competition among quarterbacks without acknowledging whether Retzlaff was still on the roster. Assuming Retzlaff is moving on, the Cougars will have a quarterback competition in preseason workouts. Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier and McCae Hillstead, who previously was at Utah State, are considered the frontrunners. 'I think for me it's just allowing the guys to compete in the quarterback room we have,' Sitake said. 'The fortunate part for me is I have a coaching staff that was able to keep intact. And so there's always a knowledge of the offense for the guys that are there and then we have incoming talent that I think it'd be really special for us. So let's settle it on the field, let them compete and then I only know one way and I just play the best guys. That's how it works.' Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as the Cougars contended for a spot in the Big 12 championship game before settling for an 11-2 finish that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Colorado. ___ AP college football: recommended Item 1 of 3 in this topic
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoids comment on QB Jake Retzlaff's status amid transfer rumors
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — BYU coach Kalani Sitake declined to address the status of Jake Retzlaff on Tuesday amid reports that the quarterback is transferring after being accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was dismissed. Retzlaff reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal rather than face a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church. Retzlaff acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. 'I think it'll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first,' Sitake said at Big 12 football media days. 'I think that's his right. I think it's a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I'm going to give him the opportunity to do that.' Asked about how the team was reacting to losing the quarterback who started 13 games last season, Sitake spoke generally about competition among quarterbacks without acknowledging whether Retzlaff was still on the roster. Assuming Retzlaff is moving on, the Cougars will have a quarterback competition in preseason workouts. Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier and McCae Hillstead, who previously was at Utah State, are considered the frontrunners. 'I think for me it's just allowing the guys to compete in the quarterback room we have,' Sitake said. 'The fortunate part for me is I have a coaching staff that was able to keep intact. And so there's always a knowledge of the offense for the guys that are there and then we have incoming talent that I think it'd be really special for us. So let's settle it on the field, let them compete and then I only know one way and I just play the best guys. That's how it works.' Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as the Cougars contended for a spot in the Big 12 championship game before settling for an 11-2 finish that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Colorado. ___
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoids comment on QB Jake Retzlaff's status amid transfer rumors
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — BYU coach Kalani Sitake declined to address the status of Jake Retzlaff on Tuesday amid reports that the quarterback is transferring after being accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit that was dismissed. Retzlaff reportedly plans to enter the transfer portal rather than face a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church. Retzlaff acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. Advertisement 'I think it'll be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his situation first,' Sitake said at Big 12 football media days. 'I think that's his right. I think it's a private matter that he can speak for himself, and I'm going to give him the opportunity to do that.' Asked about how the team was reacting to losing the quarterback who started 13 games last season, Sitake spoke generally about competition among quarterbacks without acknowledging whether Retzlaff was still on the roster. Assuming Retzlaff is moving on, the Cougars will have a quarterback competition in preseason workouts. Stanford transfer Bear Bachmeier and McCae Hillstead, who previously was at Utah State, are considered the frontrunners. 'I think for me it's just allowing the guys to compete in the quarterback room we have,' Sitake said. 'The fortunate part for me is I have a coaching staff that was able to keep intact. And so there's always a knowledge of the offense for the guys that are there and then we have incoming talent that I think it'd be really special for us. So let's settle it on the field, let them compete and then I only know one way and I just play the best guys. That's how it works.' Advertisement Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as the Cougars contended for a spot in the Big 12 championship game before settling for an 11-2 finish that included an Alamo Bowl victory over Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Colorado. ___ AP college football: Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press
