Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s season-opening win over Southern Illinois

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between BYU and Southern Illinois. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

BYU 41, Southern Illinois 13

The Cougars left no doubt in their 2024 season opener, handling FCS foe Southern Illinois in 41-13 fashion Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was the star of the show, throwing for a career-best 348 yards with three touchdowns after having been named BYU’s starter shortly before kickoff.

The Cougars racked up 527 yards of total offense, crossing the 500-yard threshold for the first time since 2022. The Salukis, meanwhile, managed just 231 yards on the night against a solid BYU defensive squad.

Chase Roberts led the offensive charge with seven catches for 108 yards, while running backs LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati combined for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

Fourth quarter

BYU 41, Southern Illinois 13

7:09 — The Cougars capitalized on Jakob Robinson’s interception with a 41-yard Will Ferrin field goal. BYU 41, Southern Illinois 13.

BYU’s 41 points on the night matches its 2023 season high, and there’s still more than seven minutes left to play.

11:20 — Jay Hill’s defense has been solid all night, and now the group finally has a turnover to show for it.

Cornerback Jakob Robinson picked off a DJ Williams overthrow and returned it for three yards to the BYU 35-yard line.

Robinson’s interception was the ninth of his career, having snagged four in the 2023 campaign.

12:36 — Make it two touchdowns on the night for LJ Martin.

The talented sophomore found the end zone once again on a 1-yard rush for his third career multi-score game. BYU 38, Southern Illinois 13.

Once rumored to be questionable for BYU’s season opener, Martin has put all injury concerns to rest with an 11-carry, 54-yard effort thus far tonight.

Third quarter

BYU 31, Southern Illinois 13

4:19 — The Salukis strike back with a 38-yard touchdown run from quarterback DJ Williams. BYU 31, Southern Illinois 13.

8:12 — The Cougars are on a roll.

Jake Retzlaff notched his third passing touchdown of the game on a 19-yard strike to tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase. BYU 31, Southern Illinois 6.

The trio of TDs marks a new personal best for Retzlaff, while Ta’ase notched his first career score as a Cougar as well.

BYU began the drive on its own 38-yard line after safety Tanner Wall foiled a fake punt attempt from the Salukis with an impressive open field tackle.

11:19 — LJ Martin is officially back.

Last year’s freshman sensation opened the second half scoring with a 7-yard touchdown grab out of the backfield to cap off a seven play, 75-yard series. BYU 24, Southern Illinois 6.

The Cougars quickly arrived in the red zone thanks to a 52-yard reception by Keelan Marion, who beat out three nearby defenders to haul in Jake Retzlaff’s pass.

Halftime

BYU 17, Southern Illinois 6

So far, so good for Jake Retzlaff.

BYU’s new starting quarterback has opened the night 10 of 17 in passing for 188 yards and a touchdown, recording a 171.1 passer rating and leading three scoring drives as the Cougars lead 17-6.

Retzlaff’s unit has gained 278 total yards to just 108 for Southern Illinois, averaging 7.3 yards per play and winning the clock battle with nearly 19 minutes of possession in the half.

Chase Roberts led all players with five catches for 69 yards, while Hinckley Ropati logged 11 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown.

BYU will receive the second half kickoff, where Retzlaff, Roberts, Ropati and the rest of the Cougars will look to augment their offensive output.

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Second quarter

BYU 17, Southern Illinois 6

0:00 — Will Ferrin’s second field goal attempt of the night is successful, connecting from a career-best 50 yards out to add another three points to the Cougars’ lead. BYU 17, Southern Illinois 6.

0:46 — Southern Illinois found its first points of the day on a 4-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback DJ Williams, but the extra point was no good. BYU 14, Southern Illinois 6.

The Salukis drove 70 yards on eight plays, though a 43-yard pass downfield on third down was ruled complete despite replays appearing to show the ball hit the ground.

9:26 — Will Ferrin missed a 36-yard field goal try that would have put BYU up by three scores.

First quarter

BYU 14, Southern Illinois 0

0:00 — It’s been all BYU so far, with the Cougars leading by two scores and smothering Southern Illinois defensively.

Jake Retzlaff and company racked up 136 total yards in the first 15 minutes of action, with 105 yards coming through the air.

BYU’s defense held the Salukis to just 32 first quarter yards, with Isaiah Bagnah picking up a sack and both Isaiah Glasker and Cho Bryant-Strother adding tackles for loss as well.

1:56 — Jake Retzlaff has started to show why BYU chose him as its starting quarterback.

The Cougars added to their lead on a deep 57-yard touchdown connection from Retzlaff to Jojo Phillips. BYU 14, Southern Illinois 0.

Retzlaff dropped back, faking a handoff to Hinckley Ropati before launching a beautiful deep ball to Phillips, who beat soft single coverage to make the catch for his first career touchdown.

6:16 — BYU’s first touchdown of the season came courtesy of running back Hinckley Ropati, who plunged into the end zone on a 1-yard carry to cap a 13-play, 65-yard drive for the Cougars. BYU 7, Southern Illinois 0.

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff completed 3 of 4 passes on the drive for 24 yards, running twice for eight yards as well. BYU even converted two fourth down tries en route to finding the scoreboard.

Ropati’s score marked his first touchdown since Nov. 26, 2022 against Stanford.

How to watch the game

BYU’s season opener against Southern Illinois will be streamed on ESPN+ and requires a subscription.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against Southern Illinois.