3 keys to BYU’s Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado

The BYU Cougars cruised past the Colorado Buffaloes in the Valero Alamo Bowl Saturday night, winning 36-14 to finish the 2024 season with an 11-2 record.

Here are three keys that led to the Cougars’ victory.

LJ Martin had a career night

BYU’s sophomore running back earned Offensive MVP honors for his performance against the Buffaloes, and for good reason. Martin logged 17 carries for 93 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt, and scored two touchdowns.

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Additionally, he ended the night as the team’s leading receiver with 33 yards, including a 28-yard reception that brought the Cougars into the red zone to set up their first score.

Martin’s efforts helped allow BYU to flourish even with quarterback Jake Retzlaff struggling at times, as the Cougars rushed for 180 yards as a team and burned just under 36 minutes of clock.

BYU’s defense was outstanding

On the first play of the game, Martin ran for a 6-yard pickup. This singular gain ended up as triple the number of rushing yards Colorado accumulated against the Cougars for the entire contest.

Seriously.

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Jay Hill’s defensive unit enjoyed arguably its best outing of the season Saturday night in San Antonio. Aside from two explosive receptions from Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the Buffaloes posted just 109 yards of total offense against BYU.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders looked far from the potential first-round NFL draft selection he’s been pegged to be. He was sacked on four separate occasions and threw two interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick to linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who promptly broke into a vintage Deion Sanders celebration.

The Cougars played with a winning mix of heart and underdog angst

It would have been understandable for BYU to come out flat in the Alamo Bowl, considering the team’s November swoon to fall out of the Big 12 championship picture.

However, the Cougars looked much more like the team that began the year 9-0 than the group with the subsequent 1-2 stretch.

Simply put, BYU was fired up for its bowl matchup. The Cougars had no fear in facing superstars Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and company.

BYU hustled, played through the whistle and appeared to be having great fun on the field. Such energy played a key role in winning by a 22-point margin.

Kalani Sitake and his staff deserve plenty of credit for their coaching performance in 2024, but especially for keeping their players bought in, excited and willing to put a chip on their shoulder against the Buffaloes.