Monday, October 2, 2023 | 

Jay Drew

Jay Drew joined the Deseret News in 2019 after covering sports for The Salt Lake Tribune for nearly 30 years. A Utah native, he has covered BYU sports the last 14 years. The avid golfer (he’s played every golf course in Utah) and University of Utah graduate recently added Runnin’ Utes basketball to his list of coverage assignments. His Twitter handle is @drewjay.

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BYU Football
Here’s why BYU football wouldn’t mind a late kickoff in 2 weeks at TCU
Why BYU is hoping for a night game at TCU on Oct. 14 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
By Jay Drew
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BYU Football
Cougars in ‘a good spot’ after going 4-1 in September
BYU has been resilient and opportunistic in its two wins over Power Five foes, including Friday’s 35-27 win over Cincy.
By Jay Drew
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts runs for a touchdown during the second half of a football game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
BYU Football
Analysis: BYU nails the ending after shaky start to get historic, first Big 12 win over mistake-prone Cincinnati
Cougars overcome a miserable first 29 minutes offensively to score right before halftime and pull away in second half to get first-ever Big 12 victory.
By Jay Drew
BYU kicker Will Ferrin lines up a kick during a game against Kansas in the Cougars’ Big 12 opener in Lawrence, Sept. 23, 2023.
BYU Football
Cougars’ new kicker, a Boise State transfer, is where he always wanted to be
Redshirt sophomore Will Ferrin grew up wanting to play for BYU, but an offer never came and he committed to USU before his mission, then moved on to Boise State.
By Jay Drew
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BYU Football
BYU vs. Cincinnati: How to watch, listen to or stream the game
As the Cougars and Bearcats battle to be the first Big 12 newcomer to get a win, here’s what you need to know.
By Jay Drew
Cincinnati defensive lineman Dontay Corleone (58) celebrates with teammates after a tackle against Kennesaw State.
College Football
‘Tons of urgency’: Big 12 newcomers BYU, Cincinnati tangle Friday, and stakes are high
Season trajectories could be at stake Friday when Big 12 newcomers BYU and Cincinnati get together at 8;15 p.m. in front of a sold-out crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
By Jay Drew
BYU linebacker Ben Bywater calls a play after a tackle during the Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas on Sept. 4, 2021.
BYU Football
Have Cougars lost another defensive starter to injury?
Cougars will almost certainly be without leading tackler Ben Bywater against fellow Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
By Jay Drew
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield yells instructions during a game against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on Sept. 9, 2023.
BYU Football
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield isn’t thrilled to be in Provo on a Friday night
Winner of Friday’s matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium will become the first Big 12 newcomer to get a conference victory in 2023.
By Jay Drew
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during a game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
BYU Football
How high-profile transfer Kedon Slovis won over his BYU teammates
The early returns have been positive for the BYU quarterback — on and off the field.
By Jay Drew
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his team during loss to Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan.
BYU Football
Kalani Sitake believes running game is ‘fixable’ ahead of showdown with Cincinnati
BYU’s lack of a rushing attack and a slew of injuries were big topics of Kalani Sitake’s weekly press briefing Monday.
By Jay Drew
BYU Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) reacts during the annual BYU Blue vs. White scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU Football
How BYU’s Jewish quarterback is balancing football with High Holy Days
Jake Retzlaff says “I owe it to my brothers” to be on the field on game days and during practices, even during Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana.
By Jay Drew
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia cools off on the sideline during game against Kansas on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan.
BYU Football
Cougars were mostly avoiding injuries in 2023, then Kansas game happened
Almost a half-dozen BYU football players were unable to finish the game in Saturday’s 38-27 loss to Kansas.
By Jay Drew
BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is tripped up by Kansas linebacker Jayson Gilliom (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
BYU Football
Why BYU receiver Darius Lassiter will never forget his game at Kansas, even though the Cougars lost
Eastern Michigan transfer caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Kedon Slovis in 38-27 loss to Jayhawks
By Jay Drew
Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (20) is tackled by BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi on Sept. 23, 2023.
BYU Football
Analysis: BYU’s one-dimensional attack exposed in first Big 12 football game
The Cougars’ seven-game winning streak was snapped, as the team was buried by two KU defensive scores and BYU’s inability to run the ball.
By Jay Drew
BYU coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a win over Arkansas at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
BYU Football
Why the stakes are high when the Cougars meet Kansas in Big 12 opener
Cougars will need to get their inconsistent offense going to hang with explosive Jayhawks and super QB Jalon Daniels.
By Jay Drew
Saturday, BYU receiver Darius Lassiter \will get the opportunity to play against his brother, Kwinton Lassiter, a defensive back with Kansas.
BYU Football
‘I just know he’s smiling’: Matchup with Kansas a family affair for BYU’s Darius Lassiter
Kansas defensive back Kwinton Lassiter and his brother, BYU receiver Darius Lassiter, are sons of Kwamie, who died at the age of 49 of cardiac arrest.
By Jay Drew
BYU defensive lineman John Nelson (94) sings with his teammates after losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
BYU Football
BYU vs. Kansas: How to watch, listen to or stream the game
As the undefeated Cougars and Jayhawks clash at ‘The Booth’ in Lawrence, Kansas, here’s what you need to know.
By Jay Drew
BYU receiver Keelan Marion runs for a big gain against Arkansas at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Sept. 16, 2023.
BYU Football
‘We have got to get way better’: BYU is 3-0, but Cougars’ Kedon Slovis-led offense off to an unusually slow start
While Cougars’ defense has been better than expected, their offense ranks among worst in country in some categories through three games.
By Jay Drew
BYU safety Tanner Wall looks on during break in play during victory over Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Fayetteville.
BYU Football
Cougars’ situation at safety isn’t dire yet, but it’s getting there
Three safeties have been sidelined by injuries and a fourth has been demoted for subpar play in BYU’s 3-0 start.
By Jay Drew
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BYU Football
Big 12 opener is finally here. Are Cougars ready to contend?
Win over Arkansas, coupled with some surprise losses by leaguemates, give BYU hope for 2023 conference season.
By Jay Drew
Kansas coach Lance Leipold waits with players to run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Illinois.
BYU Football
What Kansas coach Lance Leipold had to say about BYU’s ‘age and maturity’
Third-year Jayhawks coach expects BYU to be fired up in its first-ever Big 12 game Saturday in Lawrence.
By Jay Drew
BYU running back Aidan Robbins carries the ball during game against Sam Houston at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
BYU Football
What’s going on with former RB1 Aidan Robbins?
BYU coach Kalani Sitake hints that the UNLV transfer is less than 100% healthy and explains why freshman LJ Martin is atop depth chart.
By Jay Drew
Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) celebrates his touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium.
BYU Football
Challenge now for 3-0 BYU is to ‘stay humble’ after road win over Arkansas
Up next is a showdown of unbeatens as BYU meets 3-0 Kansas in Lawrence in its first-ever Big 12 game.
By Jay Drew
Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Michael Daley (45) celebrates the win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
BYU Football
Tricking the Tusks: How BYU got rolling with a double-pass to surprise Arkansas in win
Freshman Parker Kingston becomes seventh BYU player to catch a touchdown pass and throw for a TD in the same game
By Jay Drew
Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) makes a touchdown catch past Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jayden Johnson (8).
BYU Football
Analysis: Big 12 newcomer BYU living high on the hog after stunning SEC’s Arkansas
Cougars overcome two-score deficits in each half to ride off with a 38-31 win in Fayetteville
By Jay Drew
The Arkansas Razorbacks kneel before a game against the BYU Cougars in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
BYU Football
BYU vs. Arkansas: How to watch, listen to or stream the game
High on the Hogs? Cougars looking for revenge and redemption after falling 52-35 to Razorbacks last October in Provo
By Jay Drew
Arkansas fans cheer on the Hogs during a game against UTEP at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
BYU Football
Can Cougars make a statement for the Big 12 at Arkansas Saturday?
BYU’s Connor Pay says there is ‘some extra juice’ there because Arkansas embarrassed BYU last year in Provo.
By Jay Drew
BYU defensive lineman Caden Haws celebrates a sack during a 2022 game against Baylor at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
BYU Football
Why Cougars defender Caden Haws is among friends, family in Arkansas
Defensive tackle Caden Haws was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, where his former Ute father, Kurt, worked in medical sales.
By Jay Drew
Offensive line coach Darrell Funk, watches his players as the BYU Cougars football team practices in Provo, March 17, 2023.
BYU Football
Cougars have a new RB1 for Arkansas; are changes in store for offensive line, too?
Offensive line coach Darrell Funk says he’s ‘established five starters,’ but there are signs that could change.
By Jay Drew
Kelsey Chugg holds up five fingers as she poses for photos after winning the 116th annual Utah Women’s State Amateur for the fifth time in 2022.
Sports
Utah’s Kelsey Chugg comes up just short at U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur championship
Five-time Utah Women’s Am champion won the title in 2017 but lost 2-up to Kimberly Dinh on Thursday in Pennsylvania.
By Jay Drew
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