As has been widely noted the past few weeks, BYU’s football team has compiled a 21-3 record over the course of the past two seasons, the Cougars’ second and third seasons in the Big 12.
Head coach Kalani Sitake is largely responsible for the success, but on Monday he said the biggest reason why BYU has soared to No. 11 in the College Football Playoffs rankings is due to the players who have persevered through that rough season in 2023 when the Cougars went 5-7 and failed to make it to a bowl game.
A lot of those players will be honored Saturday before the Cougars face UCF at 11 a.m. MST (ESPN2) at LaVell Edwards Stadium as BYU holds its traditional Senior Day festivities and presents the players with their senior blanket and other gifts and honors.
According to BYU’s game notes released Monday afternoon, the program is expected to honor 18 seniors playing in their last game at LES, but “additional players may choose to be honored at the game.”
For instance, last year receiver Chase Roberts and defensive end Logan Lutui went through the Senior Day ceremonies and did the “Senior Walk” from one end zone to the other after the game, but opted to return in 2025.
Sitake said the group will be remembered for its leadership, overall buy-in, “and then the willingness to bring their brothers along” and in some instances take secondary roles in order for younger players to thrive.
“I look at all these guys, and it’s awesome. I’m so proud of what they’ve been able to build here, and the culture that’s thriving with them, and the autonomy that they’ve been given,” Sitake said.
“To have that reach out to the fanbase and to the community, it’s been super impressive. I just love what they’ve been able to do on the football field, but more proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish in the classroom.”
Sitake said the Cougars have had their highest team grade point averages in his tenure due to their work in the classroom.
“On the field stuff has been amazing, too,” he said. “They’ve had a lot of wins, and they’ve ushered us into the Big 12, and had some success now the last couple years. We just got to finish it strong for them.”
BYU players scheduled to be honored on Senior Day
- Talan Alfrey S
- Mory Bamba CB
- Jayden Dunlap CB
- Ethan Erickson TE
- Will Ferrin K
- Garrison Grimes LS
- Cole Hagen QB
- Isaiah Jatta OL
- Jack Kelly LB
- Weylin Lapuaho OL
- Austin Leausa OL
- Logan Lutui, DL
- Enoch Nawahine RB
- Kaufusi Pakofe DT
- Chase Roberts, WR
- Carsen Ryan TE
- John Taumoepeau DT
- Tanner Wall S
Will players with remaining eligibility walk Saturday?
Senior Day ceremonies are always tricky, Sitake acknowledged, because some players are still weighing whether they should return for their final seasons of eligibility or move on. For instance, last year linebackers Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker briefly entertained thoughts of turning pro before returning, along with Roberts.
“We will do that with a number of guys,” Sitake said. “We want to do it the right way. Some guys are lucky. They get two senior walks and blankets and things like that.”
Perhaps the underclassmen with the biggest decision to make is junior running back LJ Martin, who on Monday was named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 222 yards in the 26-14 win over Cincinnati. Martin’s professional football prospects this season have skyrocketed.
Martin has not indicated yet what his plans are, Sitake said.
“We’ve been talking to him about his situation the entire year,” Sitake said. “There are phases when you want to do that, but we know he’s a next-level player. … He doesn’t even want to think or care about that right now. He wants to win this week, and that’s what I appreciate about him.
“But yeah, as a head coach and as coaches for us, we want what’s best for our young men. If guys feel like there’s a chance that they may be able to go to the league early, then we want them to walk this weekend and, worst case scenario, they get two senior blankets.”
Other juniors on the roster who could possibly play at the next level include linebacker Isaiah Glasker, offensive lineman Andrew Gentry and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa.
Will receiver Chase Roberts play against UCF?
Roberts recorded one catch for 11 yards in the first half against Cincinnati before leaving the game for good from what the BYU Sports Radio Network reported to be a hamstring injury. After the game, Sitake said that Roberts took himself out of the game and called it a “smart decision” to let more healthy players finish out the contest.
He said the injury didn’t appear to be “too serious” and said he thought Roberts “will be back” for the regular-season finale. Roberts was seen walking normally after the game, greeting fans and signing autographs with a smile on his face.
Monday, Sitake briefly mentioned Roberts’ situation when he was asked how the Cougars came out of the game health-wise.
“Yeah, everybody is sore. Chase … obviously couldn’t go (back) into the game, but we’ve got to make a decision on what’s the best thing for him this week. We will evaluate that as we get closer towards the middle of the week.”
How is QB Bear Bachmeier doing after Game 11?
Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season after throwing for 127 yards and rushing for 54. There were times when the QB got up slowly after taking big hits from the Bearcats, but he did finish the game and looked OK after the contest.
“Bear is fine,” Sitake said. “The guys are tough and LJ (Martin) is, and those guys are banged up. Everybody should be banged up right now in college football going into the last week, last game of the regular season. We don’t expect anyone to be 100% until we get to Saturday. But we are going to have to practice hard this week. We have some sparring to do to get this team ready for this weekend.”
Another starter, offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, missed the game with an undisclosed injury, while backup defensive tackle Anisi Purcell played with his right hand casted and wrapped heavily to look like a club.
“You can’t use the club as a weapon, but I am proud that our training room and our doctors could figure out a way for him to keep playing,” Sitake said.
