Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Surprising BYU cracks the AP Top 25

By Victor Haltom | Last updated Sep 24, 2024 9:25 PM ET

After a 5-7 record in 2023, expectations were not particularly high for the BYU Cougars entering the 2024 season. In a Big 12 conference preseason media poll, the Cougars were picked to finish 13th out of the 16 teams in the conference.

However, BYU has raced out of the gate this year, getting off to a 4-0 start, highlighted by impressive wins over SMU and Kansas State. The SMU game was a slugfest on Sept. 6 in Dallas, with the Cougars coming out on top 18-15, handing the Mustangs their only loss so far in 2024. Two weeks later, when Kansas State visited Provo, Utah, ranked No. 13 in the country, BYU routed the Wildcats 38-9. BYU's defense forced three turnovers by K-State, and speedy freshman wide receiver Parker Kingston had an exhilarating 90-yard punt return for a touchdown.

In both the SMU and K-State games, the Cougars' stout defense kept their opponents out of the end zone, yielding only field goals.

After the win over the Wildcats, BYU made its first appearance of the year in the AP Top 25, debuting at the No. 22 spot.

BYU's dynamic quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a redshirt junior, has already thrown for 990 yards this season and rushed for 103. He has thrown for nine touchdowns and yielded only three interceptions. Retzlaff's favorite receiving target has been fellow redshirt junior Chase Roberts, who has hauled in 17 receptions for 310 yards and one touchdown.

The sturdy Cougars defense has already forced eight turnovers — five interceptions and three fumbles. Their leading tackler is linebacker Harrison Taggart, who already has 25 stops. Fellow LB Jack Kelly has 18 tackles and three sacks.

Coach Kalani Sitake, who played fullback at BYU and for one season with the Cincinnati Bengals, is in his ninth season at the helm for the Cougars.

Up next for the Cougars is a trip to Waco, Texas, to take on the Baylor Bears, who are coming off a heart-breaking loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

Victor Haltom

Victor Haltom began his undergraduate studies at SMU, then transferred to Penn State, graduating with BA in philosophy. He has extensive writing and editing experience, with over 250 sports-related articles having been published.

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