Playing at home on senior night, No. 19 BYU made sure to give players and fans a nice going out present as the Cougars rolled to a 30-18 victory Saturday night against Houston at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff didn’t play his best, however, the junior led the way both on the ground and through the air as the dual-threat quarterback ran for two touchdowns and threw for 167 yards to lead the 19th-ranked Cougars to their 10th victory of the season. The two rushing touchdowns also moved Retzlaff into a 3-way tie (John Beck and Jaren Hall) for 10th most career rushing touchdowns by a BYU quarterback.
Running back LJ Martin had a game-high 87 yards on the ground and Chase Roberts led the way with three catches for 76 yards. For the first time this season, BYU lost three fumbles in a game. The uncharacteristic string of turnovers, coupled with numerous dropped passes, kept the Cougars from pulling away from Houston until late.
With a 10-2 regular season record, BYU now has its 19th season with 10+ wins, and third in the last five years. Kalani Sitake’s record at BYU over the last 5 seasons is 44-18 (.710). However, despite the victory, BYU won’t play in the conference championship game due to the way the tiebreakers fell. Iowa State and Arizona State will meet in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday despite the 4-way tie with BYU and Colorado.
Big 12 Power Rankings: ASU, ISU, Kansas, Jump — BYU, Colorado Fall (Week 14)
On defense, the Cougars forced four turnovers, including two late in the fourth quarter to help snap a two-game losing streak. The four turnovers ties BYU’s season high which was set against Arizona in October. The Cougars now have eight games this season where they’ve had multiple turnovers gained.
On special teams, Talan Alfrey’s 58-yard onside kick return for a touchdown gives BYU three touchdowns on the season– tying the all-time high which was set in 1961. BYU has only had multiple kickoff returns for a touchdown in three seasons: 1961 (3), 1988 (2) and 2024 (3). The Cougars are also the only team in the FBS with three kickoffs returned for touchdowns this year.
Here’s all the reactions to BYU’s win over Houston, in addition to Cougar fans finding out that the team will miss the Big 12 title game due to how the tiebreakers fell.
That BYU Creamery milk can make some people go craaaaaazy, Pat.
— Matt Harris (@RirieBulldogsAD) December 1, 2024
What an incredible season! 10 wins in year 2 of a P4 conference is something this senior class should be proud of. I’m grateful to be associated with all the players and staff. I love this team! Go Cougs!! 🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) December 1, 2024
On bright side #BYUFootball fans, winning 10 games in a P4 conference is something that ISU just barely accomplished. They've only played in Big 12 title once.
Yes, #BYU has the best resume in the Big 12, but don't be disappointed. 11-2 and Top 10 ranking is well within reach.
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) December 1, 2024
Man getting to 10/11 wins in a P4 conference would be a massive milestone for BYU. Not sure how many underclassmen come back next year, but this is the start of a really great period of BYU Football.
Gotta capitalize on that success on the recruiting front. 💪💙
— Terrell Williams (@4Wade2021) December 1, 2024
We need conference semifinal games.
— Micheal Henson (@MichealLHenson) December 1, 2024
With the 4-way tie, this would have been a lot of fun @Big12Conference
Just play an extra game. Give the fans what they want 😉#BYU vs #Colorado#Iowa State vs. #ArizonaState
Winner plays for the #Big12 title pic.twitter.com/c598UVDCJJ
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) December 1, 2024
Can the Big 12 have a playoff to see who plays in the conference championship?
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) December 1, 2024
TEN WINS! (more than our in-state friends combined but I hope they are enjoying their moral victory!)
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) December 1, 2024
the cougs finish 10-2. absolutely remarkable season. hold your heads up high.
— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) December 1, 2024
BYU goes up two touchdowns on Houston with 2:52 left, on its way to a win that sends Iowa State to play Arizona State for the Big 12 title.
BYU may have the league's best resume (10-2 with a win over top-10 SMU) and won't play for the title for a chance at the playoff. Wild.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 1, 2024
BYU! THE IOWA STATE BAR JUST WENT ABSOLUTELY WILD!
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) December 1, 2024
ARIZONA STATE. IOWA STATE. BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. BYU PULLS IT OFF. THE CYCLONE CROWD LOVES IT. pic.twitter.com/kprMepFT7V
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) December 1, 2024
I might just be more bummed at how BYU's conference schedule went from being daunting to playing the 5 worst teams in the conference. pic.twitter.com/sGi4dMjKqu
— Kung Fu Kevy (@DJ_Kevy_Kev) December 1, 2024
BYU finishes atop the Big12 in year 2, along with ASU, ISU, and Colorado.
Tie breaker goes to ISU based on record of other teams played. ASU based on head to head.
BYU is the only team to hold conference opponents under 200 points in total. pic.twitter.com/nJkvGNAAR1
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) December 1, 2024
A win over top 10 SMU. A close loss ASU, and Kansas, which beat Colorado and Iowa State.
— Philly Sports GOP (@PhillySportsGOP) December 1, 2024
I’m convinced the Big 12 has been fighting anchoring bias all year. If you give Oklahoma St, Utah, and Arizona the resumes of Iowa State, BYU, and ASU, this is a two bid league. Those teams all started in the low teens in preseason. But because all of our conf leaders were… https://t.co/wn8RvvKd9u
— Kramer (@KramerHolle) December 1, 2024
"Being nice" and running out the clock instead of running up the score cost BYU 4 to 5 ranking spots this year.
Need more killer instinct.Which coach can instill it?
— TX Colonel (@TXColonel) December 1, 2024
100%.
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) December 1, 2024
BYU is going to miss the Playoff by a smidgen.
We absolutely would’ve had a better shot at an At Large bid if we’d put the hammer down on teams rather than ensuring we don’t hurt feelings.
Wildly frustrating. #GoCougs https://t.co/hngJX0fnYx
— Steve Carter (@50stev) December 1, 2024
I honestly wish they would have used him more this season. Are we sure he's not our best running back?
— Blake Williams (@bpdub21) December 1, 2024
Reminds me of Manase Tonga
— Blair Redd (@bhrredd) December 1, 2024
🔵 DOUBLE-DIGIT WINS
🔵 TIED FOR FIRST IN BIGXII
🔵 BEAT RIVAL…AGAIN
🔵 REACHED SIXTH IN CFP (9-0)
Say what you want, but these COUGARS put together one of the most fun seasons in a long time!
Also, in just their SECOND year
in the BIGXII 🤯GO COUGS 🤙#BYUFootball
— BTDubs (@sportsbtw) December 1, 2024
10-2 in a power conference is a great year.
Only one team’s season truly ends the way they want it to.
As a fan, in every awesome year that wasn’t a champ season, the going up was always worth the coming down.
— Tony Parks (@tonyparks801) December 1, 2024
I love Kalani Sitake.
— Tony Parks (@tonyparks801) December 1, 2024
Kansas was the killer (even though they were playing well.) Gotta protect your home field. ASU was always going to be a challenge on the road.
— Jason Stapley (@jstaples01) December 1, 2024
I ain’t no OC, so I could be completely wrong, but BYU should really considering simplifying this offense by throwing out about half of the current playbook.
— Ryker Mathews (@ryker_mathews) December 1, 2024
There’s a reason why BYU is so much better when they’re in hurry up situations. They run their top 20 plays AND THATS IT! Stop trying to be cute with every single play call man…
— Ryker Mathews (@ryker_mathews) December 1, 2024
Something to be proud of. I love being a part of this team. No one but us thought we’d be here. #GoCougs https://t.co/RY5vmlco4x
— Kenneth Cox (@KennyCoxKC) December 1, 2024
That's gotta feel good for Alfrey who was hit by the ASU onside kick last week.
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) December 1, 2024
yeah, Alfrey was ready for that one
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) December 1, 2024
An exceptional year for BYU.
Remarkable really.
Seeing this group of men embrace the disrespect and over deliver week in and week out has been humbling.
They proved the world wrong.
And they deserve massive respect. pic.twitter.com/wXgAOB2C88— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) December 1, 2024
Colorado watching BYU beat Houston pic.twitter.com/MZzTGoR0BS
— OutCYde the Lines (@OutCYdetheLines) December 1, 2024
10-2 BYU needs one thing to go their way, doesn’t happen
9-3 Utah needs a 6 game parlay to go their way and every single game down the stretch falls exactly as needed
The football gods hate BYU
— Fifth Quarter BYU (@byu_fq) December 1, 2024
Ohio st 🤝 Utah
Haven't beat their rivals since 2019
— Shane 🌹 (@Shane00) November 30, 2024
What a run for the Cougs. Not one person should be disappointed about the season because of how low the expectations were coming in. These guys played their guts out and put on a show for us when no one believed in them. Go freaking Cougs.
Also…. it’s been 1,920 days since Utah…
— Masen Wake (@MasenWake13) December 1, 2024
In August, BYU was given a 0.12% chance of winning 10+ games.
What an unexpected season for the Cougars.
— CougarStats (@CougarStats) December 1, 2024
Thank you for having pride and going for the 10 wins! Cheers and you’ll be repaid in-kind in the future!
— The Cyclone Drew (@TheCycloneDrew) December 1, 2024
