BYU’s defense, led by Tyler Batty and Jack Kelly was key to BYU’s success vs Colorado
Defense wins Championships. That was the story of the night when BYU traveled to San Antonio, Texas for the Alamo Bowl against Colorado. BYU dominated the line of scrimmage and won 36-14. The Cougars held the Buffaloes to just two total rush yards, outrushing them on their first run play of the game with six yards. Colorado averaged 0.1 yards per rush and turned the ball over twice to gift BYU ten points.
BYU had more turnovers but they weren’t punished for them. BYU’s defense forced a missed field goal and two punts after the offense turned the ball over. BYU intercepted two Shedeur Sanders passes, resulting in a touchdown and a field goal. BYU was electric defensively and allowed only 210 total yards of offense.
BYU punted on their first drive before Shedeur Sanders threw the ball behind his receiver on fourth and one. BYU would then methodically move down the field with backup quarterback Gerry Bohannon’s 11-yard run setting up a one-yard touchdown rush for LJ Martin.
Colorado would go backward on their next drive and punt again. BYU would again drive down the field and score a field goal that hooked left at the last second. This field goal would set the BYU single-season field goal record for Will Ferrin at 23. BYU would dig deep into their bag of tricks and recover a surprise onside kick. The drive would end with an interception on a Retzlaff-to-Bohannon trick play.
On Colorado’s next drive, receiver Travis Hunter would get a big gain and almost scored. Colorado would face a third and three with Shedeur running backward. Colorado would lose three yards and the 48-yard field goal attempt would wide left.
BYU would run the option a few times on the next drive, with Sione Moa appearing to have escaped a tackle and run inside the Colorado 25. Video Review would overturn the call and BYU would face 3rd Down and 7. Swanson would catch and long pass from Retzlaff and get to the Buffalo 37-yard line. A few plays later a shovel pass was intercepted by Anquin Barnes Jr and BYU would lose another scoring opportunity. On third down Shedeur would be sacked again and Colorado would punt.
On the punt, Parker Kingston weaved through traffic untouched en route to a 64-yard punt return touchdown. The score would jump to 17-0 BYU. The Buffs would punt again and BYU looked as if they had just thrown another interception. The Referee would call Offside on Colorado and the BYU drive would end with a 54-yard field goal from Will Ferrin. The halftime score would be 20-0 Cougars.
Colorado would start the second half with a deflected interception to Evan Johnson. The drive would be capped off with a 13-yard touchdown run by Moa. BYU would take the lead 27-0. Travis Hunter caught a 43-yard touchdown pass to put Colorado on the board. But it was too little too late.
BYU would drive down the field and throw another interception. Once again, Colorado punted. BYU put together another long drive that was capped off with a nine-yard touchdown run by Martin. BYU would throw another interception on the two-point try.
Colorado threw their second interception to Isaiah Glasker. BYU would get a 31-yard field goal out of it. Colorado would score a 2-yard passing touchdown as consolation. The onside kick would be recovered by BYU and they would kneel the ball down to win the game.
BYU proved a lot of people wrong in this game, defeating the Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and Expected #1 QB pick Shedeur Sanders. Not only did BYU win but they dominated. BYU’s defense was aggressive from start to finish and the offense mitigated mistakes and kept on scoring. Head Coach Deion Sanders had some praise for BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake, saying:
“If I’m going to get my butt kicked, I’d rather get my butt kicked by (Kalani Sitake). I love him for life. He’s a good man.”
Coach Prime and Coach Sitake had respect for each other, sharing a warm embrace and friendly words postgame.
Overall, it was a strong performance from the BYU Cougars. All three phases showed up and played their hearts out. It was a great season and it’s sad it has already ended. But here’s too a successful 2025, Cougar Nation.
