For BYU’s matchup against SMU in the New Mexico Bowl, the Cougars will wear the blue-to-black gradient helmet they wore earlier this year against Notre Dame, with a twist — the school’s Sailor Cougar logo will replace the traditional Stretch Y logo on the side.
For BYU’s matchup against SMU in the New Mexico Bowl, the Cougars will wear the blue-to-black gradient helmet they wore earlier this year against Notre Dame, with a twist — the school’s Sailor Cougar logo will replace the traditional Stretch Y logo on the side. BYU photo
Brandon Judd
By Brandon Judd

BYU football is ending its independence era with a new look.

The program’s Twitter account shared a photo of the helmet they will wear in Saturday’s New Mexico Bowl against the SMU Mustangs.

BYU is busting out the blue-to-black gradient helmet it wore earlier this year against Notre Dame, with a twist — the school’s Sailor Cougar logo will replace the traditional Stretch Y logo on the side.

Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.
Buy Now

The New Mexico Bowl kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.

The helmet will include a pirate logo decal on the back to honor the late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, who died earlier this week. Leach graduated from BYU in 1983 and played rugby at the school.

When BYU wore the gradient helmets against Notre Dame, the Cougars also wore black jerseys and pants with royal blue trim. They will do so again in the bowl game.

The Cougars can only hope the result is different this time in the black and royal blue look — BYU lost to Notre Dame 28-20 with that that uniform combo back in October.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.