Sport

BYU Football on the Cusp of Historic Achievements in the Alamo Bowl

2024-12-27

Author: Kai

Historic Potential for the BYU Cougars in the Alamo Bowl

As the anticipation builds for the Alamo Bowl matchup this Saturday against Colorado, the BYU Cougars find themselves poised to make several historic achievements on the field.

Quarterback Milestone: Jake Retzlaff

The spotlight will be on quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who is just 204 passing yards away from becoming the 16th player in BYU history to rack up 3,000 yards in a single season. If he reaches this milestone, he will join the ranks of notable quarterbacks like Jaren Hall, Zach Wilson, and Tanner Mangum, all of whom have achieved this feat since 2010.

Kicker Record: Will Ferrin

Kicker Will Ferrin has demonstrated an impressive level of performance throughout the season. If he successfully converts just one field goal against Colorado, it will be his 22nd of the year, placing him in the record books for the most field goals made in a single season at BYU.

Receiver Watch: Chase Roberts

Receiver Chase Roberts is another player to watch closely. He sits 157 yards shy of hitting the coveted 1,000-yard mark for receiving—a milestone not seen by a Cougars receiver since Dax Milne accomplished it in 2020. While it may be a steep climb, Roberts only needs 16 yards against the Buffaloes to surpass Jonny Harline and squeeze into the program's top-20 receiving leaders.

Special Teams Highlight: Keelan Marion

On special teams, Keelan Marion has emerged as a whirlwind on returns. He requires just 93 all-purpose yards—encompassing rushing, receiving, and kick return efforts—to reach the 1,000-yard milestone for the season. With a solid showing, he could also become BYU's 10th all-time leading returner by accumulating 81 return yards in this game.

Defensive Goals: Jack Kelly

Defensively, Jack Kelly is making a name for himself in his debut season. One more sack—his sixth in this campaign—would mark the highest single-season sack total for any BYU player since Corbin Kaufusi achieved the same in 2018.

Interception Leaders: Jakob Robinson and Tanner Wall

Additionally, if the Cougars can intercept quarterback Shedeur Sanders twice, they would potentially lead the nation in interceptions for this season. Defensive backs Jakob Robinson and Tanner Wall are both tied for the team lead this year with three picks each, and a crucial interception would put one of them in solo control.

Season Goals: Victory Against Colorado

A victory against Colorado would not only secure an 11-win season—highlighting the program's impressive history with 13 such campaigns—but it would also mark the sixth 11-win season since the post-LaVell Edwards era. Moreover, reaching this win total is likely to clinch BYU's 20th appearance in the end-of-season AP poll, a significant milestone and the third time under head coach Kalani Sitake.

Conclusion: A Must-Watch Matchup

As fans gear up for this crucial game, all eyes will undoubtedly be on these potential record-breaking performances, making the Alamo Bowl a must-watch for college football enthusiasts!