But BYU is missing some key players, right, going into tonight's, tonight's game?

They definitely are, and, and the, the superstar of this BYU team is out, L.J. Martin, and he's gonna be out for an extended period of time, and he's the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

And, you know, every game BYU goes in thinking they wanna give L.J. Martin 20 touches a game.

And now who, who takes those carries or receptions out of the backfield? Who becomes that guy? The, the top players to watch for at running back for BYU tonight are gonna be Journey Tonga, a freshman.

He's 13th nationally in yards per carry this season.

He's averaging eight yards per carry.

He's done a nice job.

Do we know what the actual injury is?

Just kind of unique how, what are we now, 10 or so months after that, 11 months, how different these two programs are compared to what maybe they could have been a year ago, had a couple of decisions gone differently.

No question.

And what Iowa State experienced, that would have been at BYU had Kalani Satake left.

You know, Baerbach, Meyer, L.J. Martin, I know he's out this weekend.

But guys like that, they're all gone.

They're going with Kalani Satake.

This coaching staff, they would have been gone.

So how do... or how does BYU compensate for the rash of injuries at running back? Because that's concerning for a program that prides itself on being able to hand it to its backs and gain the yards, even though the defense knows that's what's coming.

Where did this kid come from and how has he been able to be so good so quickly?

He's been sensational.

I mean, better than any of us could have envisioned.

I mean, he was a local kid here in this area, here in the Utah Valley at a nearby Lehigh High School.

But even in the state of Utah, we knew he had athleticism and explosiveness, but you thought, he's pretty lean.

We'll see how he fares in the Big 12.

But the biggest thing for Legend is just... you know, BYU's offense, it's very complex, but he picked up the playbook really quick.

let's kind of look at this big picture wise um you know byu is favored the line has kind of been all over the place um for those that are into such things um but i think most people are not expecting a super competitive game um we'll see this could be a very much coaching for your season coaching for your job type game for tcu and and sunny dykes and so maybe this feels a little bit like when uh when tc came and upset baylor um after gary patterson was let go back in 2021 um But if BYU were to leave Fort Worth with a win, as they are expected to do so, what do you think is the single biggest thing that went right for the Cougars in this game?

What do you think the chances are the O-line is going to perform at the same level Cougar fans were used to seeing throughout the month of September?

I think the replacement for Andrew Gentry at right tackle, either Batmulitalo or Siwa Latufino, these are freshmen, but I think the talent, these are potential NFL guys that these coaches look at that they think could be future stars.

Kalani Satake back in December, compared Muli Talo to that of Penny Sewell and Kingsley Suamati.

And you've been doing this as long as anyone DJ, you know, that Kalani never makes those comparisons for anyone.

And for him to do that, I thought was pretty noteworthy and see what a lot to fee.

Now he's been more of a developmental guy, you know, learning the offensive tackle position.

He's added a lot of weight to his frame.

But the mental side of it, and you can get a quarterback blowing up in a heartbeat if you are just a second late with a decision.

But the mental side of it, and you know, you can get a quarterback blown up in a heartbeat if you just are just a second late with a decision.

It, it's true.

And, and TCU's expecting to have one of the players that's on that availability report, Zach Chapman, an edge rusher.

He's a senior, one of their top edge rushers.

He's expected to make his season debut.

Sonny Dykes said as much this week.

So they should have their full collection of personnel on their defensive line.

So do you think that's what we get here, a competitive game, but the Cougars make the key plays in the second half?

Thanks, Stephen.

Kalani, you brought up Gentry and he's not listed on the depth chart this week.

Just saw that.

So did he get banged up in the Colorado State game? And what's the likelihood of him playing this week, you think?

If they can't take the field, they can do a lot of things during the week to get our team ready.

And just to follow up on that too, with, does that kind of highlight the method of how you approach games when you, when you do have an opportunity to give second and third teamers a chance it's for moments like this, you know, cause I guess I bring that up because that's been a hotly discussed thing among fans.

Cause you got some actual film on Bob Molitalo and just maybe your assessment of him and just the big picture of why you go about it the way you do when you do have an opportunity to play younger guys.

And our final question for coach will come from Mitch Harper.

I'm just looking over the depth chart this week.

Didn't see Celia Sarah listed.

Is he going to be out this week since he's not on the depth chart?

That's unfortunate because he was doing some really good things.

I just wanted to ask you, you touched on when you played at the old Hughes Stadium back in the day on the front range.

What are your memories of Those BYU-Colorado state meetings with Lavelle and Sonny Lubick.

What do you remember of some of those games that you played in? You

And our final question for coach will come from Mitch Harper.

Just looking over the depth chart this week, didn't see Cialia Serra listed.

Is he going to be out this weekend since he's not on the depth chart?

And yeah, that's unfortunate because he was doing some really good things.

And then just wanted to ask you, you touched on, you know, when you played at the old Hughes Stadium back in the day on the front range, what are your memories of that? Those BYU-Colorado State meetings with Lavelle and Sonny Lubick.

What do you remember of some of those games that you played in?

So I'm thinking if he doesn't get to 10, he's going to be in the neighborhood.

Yeah.

I'm with you completely.

And I think that that's just kind of who bear is even in, in some of the fall camp practices, the observation windows we got, he's, He's wearing a green jersey.

He knows he's not going to get hit.

Even then, there were times where he takes off and runs.

It's just what he does.

I think he's largely an unknown to the fan base.

So I'm thinking if he doesn't get to 10, he's going to be in the neighborhood.

Yeah.

I'm with you completely.

And I think that that's just kind of who bear is even in, in some of the fall camp practices, the observation windows we got, he's, He's wearing a green jersey.

He knows he's not going to get hit.

Even then, there were times where he takes off and runs.

It's just what he does.

I think he's largely an unknown to the fan base.

So I'm thinking if he doesn't get to 10, he's going to be in the neighborhood.

Yeah.

I'm with you completely.

And I think that that's just kind of who bear is even in, in some of the fall camp practices, the observation windows we got, he's, He's wearing a green jersey.

He knows he's not going to get hit.

And even then, there were times where he takes off and runs.

It's just what he does.

I think he's largely an unknown to the fan base.

So I'm thinking if he doesn't get to 10, he's going to be in the neighborhood.

Yeah.

I'm with you completely.

And I think that that's just kind of who bear is even in, in some of the fall camp practices, the observation windows we got, he's, He's wearing a green jersey.

He knows he's not going to get hit.

Even then, there were times where he takes off and runs.

It's just what he does.

I think he's largely an unknown to the fan base.

So I'm thinking if he doesn't get to 10, he's going to be in the neighborhood.

Yeah.

I'm with you completely.

I think that that's just kind of who bear is even in, in some of the fall camp practices, the observation windows we got, he's, He's wearing a green jersey.

He knows he's not going to get hit.

And even then, there were times where he takes off and runs.

It's just what he does.

I think he's largely an unknown to the fan base.

What would you say the situation is, and is there a potential for this to turn into something that actually affects what happens on the field?

No question it could be a distraction.

It, it, the, the, the talks with Penn State last December were a huge distraction in, in that week leading up to the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech and, and, uh, there's no question this could be a distraction.

I will say being around camp, I don't think that it's really getting to the players much.

But obviously, you know, Head Coach Kalani Sitake, I mean, he's clearly not, you know, uh, completely ca- happy with, uh, his football team, maybe the promises that were made back in December, if that hasn't been completely met.

And for him, maybe that could be a distraction where he's referencing, "I'll have my agent talk with the AD and school to, about resources for my program." And, you know, long term, it makes you wonder, does this season become one where is it gonna be conversation of is he gonna be on the move? And, and that's a big different conversation than what it was December, where they fend off Penn State, BYU does, and that was a messy path to get there too.

But they ultimately retained Kalani Sitake, and at that point, he said, "I'm gonna be here for the rest of my life." And, you know, so clearly the, over the last eight months, there's been a, a change in that tune and, you know, BYU's gotta continue leveling up.

How have they adapted? How big a deal was it?

What do you think?

Yeah, I agree.

And I think that what makes this year's offense really interesting compared to maybe some of the recent seasons for BYU is just depth at tight end.

And BYU's got a good history with tight end play.

And I think that's, you know, Aaron Roderick for multiple years said they want to really build up the depth.

at tight end.

Carson Ryan, I think, was a lightning rod to kind of reignite the potential of that position.

If the Cougars used all their scholarships, have they held a roster spot in case somebody who's been in an NFL camp wants to come back and play a fifth year?

What do you think?

Yeah, I, I agree.

And, and I think that, you know, uh, what makes this year's offense really interesting compared to maybe some of the recent seasons for BYU i- is just depth at tight end.

And, you know, BYU's got a good history with, with tight end play, and I think that's...

You know, Aaron Roderick for multiple years said they wanna really build up the depth.

At tight end.

Carson Ryan, I think was a, was a lightning rod to kinda reignite the potential of that position and, and, you know, he had some more than 600 receiving yards last year.

You seen or heard anything? 'Cause apparently A-Rod's seen something.

What do you think?

Yeah, I, I agree.

And, and I think that, you know, uh, what makes this year's offense really interesting compared to maybe some of the recent seasons for BYU i-is just depth at tight end.

And, you know, BYU's got a good history with, with tight end play, and I think that's, you know, Aaron Roderick for multiple years said they wanna really build up the depth at tight end.

Carson Ryan, I think, was a, was a lightning rod to kinda reignite the potential of that position.

And, you know, he had more than 600 receiving yards last year.

But this year, I think they feel like they've got, you know, three receiving tight ends with Walker Lyons and Roger Saluapa being a clear one and two, but then Noah Moioaki as well, and then they've got a blocking tight end with Kean Need.

Yeah.

What do you think?

Yeah, I, I agree.

And, and I think that, you know, uh, what makes this year's offense really interesting compared to maybe some of the recent seasons for BYU i- is just depth at tight end.

And, you know, BYU's got a good history with, with tight end play, and I think that's...

You know, Aaron Roderick for multiple years said they wanna really build up the depth at tight end.

Carson Ryan, I think, was a, was a lightning rod to kinda reignite the potential of that position and, and, you know, he had more than 600 receiving yards last year.

But this year, I think they feel like they've got, you know, three receiving tight ends with Walker Lyons and Roger Saluafa being a clear one and two, but then Noah Mogiaki as well, and then they've got a blocking tight end with Kean Need.

Yeah.

What do you think?

Yeah, I, I agree.

And, and I think that, you know, what makes this year's offense really interesting compared to maybe some of the recent seasons for BYU i- is just depth at tight end.

And, you know, BYU's got a good history with, with tight end play, and I think that's, you know, Aaron Roderick for multiple years said they wanna really build up the depth at tight end.

Carson Ryan, I think, was a, was a lightning rod to kinda reignite the potential of that position and, and, you know, he had more than 600 receiving yards last year.

But this year I think they feel like they've got, you know, three receiving tight ends with Walker Lyons and Roger Saluafaia being a clear one and two, but then Noah Moiaki as well, and then they've got a blocking tight end with Kean Nate.

So they feel like they've got, you know, maybe th- the ability to go with, you know, three tight ends on the field at once potentially, or, or have Kean Nate as that third tight end.

If the Cougars used all their scholarships, have they held a roster spot in case somebody who's been in an NFL camp wants to come back and play a fifth year?

What would you say the situation is, and is there a potential for this to turn into something that actually affects what happens on the field?

field?No question it could be a distraction.

It, it-- The, the, the talks with Penn State last December were a huge distraction in, in that week leading up to the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech and, and, uh, there's no question this could be a distraction.

I will say being around camp, I don't think that it's really getting to the players much.

But obviously, you know, Head Coach Kalani Sitake, I mean, he's clearly not, you know, uh, completely ca- happy with, uh, his football team, maybe the promises that were made back in December, if that hasn't been completely met.

And for him, maybe that could be a distraction where he's referencing, "I'll have my agent talk with the AD and school to, about resources for my program." And, you know, long term, it makes you wonder, does this season become one where is it gonna be conversation of is he gonna be on the move? And, and that's a big different conversation than what it was December where they fend off Penn State, BYU does, and that was a messy path to get there too.

But they ultimately retain Kalani Sitake, and at that point he said, "I'm gonna be here for the rest of my life." And, you know, so clearly th- over the last eight months there's been a, a change in that tune and, you know, BYU's gotta continue leveling up.

How have they adapted? How big a deal was it?

And so again, looking at the conference, do you consider b- the Big 12's depth to be its greatest strength, or what do you consider to be the strength of the conference?

I think the strength is, is that you're, you're seeing an emerging, uh, you know, top end of the league that's becoming annual contenders.

Uh, you know, I, I talked with Commissioner Brett Yormark in May in a conversation I had with him at the spring meetings, and he even noted that that's a promising sign for the league because, uh, you know, the depth of the conference has been kind of the calling card the past few years.

But you really need those, those annual contenders that push comes to shove, it just everyone looks at them and says, "They're gonna be in the mix," regardless of their rosters and their personnel.

And I think, you know, Tech, BYU, Utah, Arizona State, these are the type of programs that every single year can, should be viewed as top 25 caliber type teams.

With the retention of their coaching staffs and their rosters, I, I think they've got the makings of that.

So I, the depth has been a, a nice kind of, uh, conversation with the Big 12 the past few years, and it is a deep league.

[laughs]

Yeah.

And, and, you know, when BYU football and BYU basketball joined the Big 12 initially, it was, you know, probably a little north of a million if that.

I mean, it wasn't, it wasn't much back then.

So, so basketball moved at a, at a lightning speed because you needed to do that to, to get a, you know, decorated coach that had an NBA resume.

And I think it was worth it.

I mean, keep throwing money at basketball.

It's, it's a big program.

Machiavellian Mitch, twice.

Yeah.

And, and, you know, when BYU football and BYU basketball joined the Big 12 initially, it was, you know, probably [laughs] a little north of a million, if that.

I mean, it wasn't, it wasn't much back then.

So, so basketball moved at a, at a lightning speed because you needed to do that to, to get a, you know, decorated coach that had an NBA resume, and I think it was worth it.

I mean, keep throwing money at basketball.

It's, it's a big program.

But you gotta do it at football too at the highest scale.

Machiavellian Mitch, twice.

If you could be at practice, just watch practice and be able to witness maybe the biggest question you have about this team or a concern or you just want to see how it's going or you just want to see a player perform, what would be the answer to that? What would you like to be at practice to see with your own eyes?

Fever spot because BYU lost pretty much all their production.

Chase Roberts, who's now with the Las Vegas Raiders, gone.

BYU's leading receiver last year in Parker Kingston.

They were expecting him to be wide receiver one.

He gets arrested back in February for a sexual assault charge and that case has since been dismissed.

But before that, he was even resolved.

Is Notre Dame at the front of the list?

What is how do you define more?

He's got to, I think, improve his completion percentage.

That was about 64% last year.

Get it up to around 70%.

I think that's going to be the expectation there because there's a little bit of a blueprint with Zach Wilson, Jaron Hall.

Those have been the best performing quarterbacks under Aaron Roderick at BYU, and those guys were hovering around 70% in probably their best seasons in 2020 and 2021.

So if they can get to that, if the Bear can be to that level of accuracy, that could serve BYU quite well.

deal with Oklahoma? What's the connection?