While BYU defeated Colorado in overtime on Saturday, the dramatic win came with a massive loss.
Cougars star Richie Saunders, who left Saturday’s contest after less than a minute due to a knee injury, announced Sunday that he tore his ACL, ending both his season and college career.
“To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” Saunders wrote. “I’ve loved every moment and every challenge that came with representing the school I love. These past four years have shaped who l am — on and off the court.
“Cougar Nation, thank you. Through the ups and downs, you’ve stuck with me. I’ll never forget that.”
The senior guard was BYU’s second-leading scorer on the year at the time of his injury, averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting.
But outside of his statistical output, the scrappy, always-hustling Saunders was BYU’s vocal veteran leader and face of the program, a 4-year contributor and local product who grew up dreaming of one day playing for the Cougars.
Saunders is the second BYU player lost to the season due to an ACL tear, joining sixth man Dawson Baker, who suffered his injury in November.
Since becoming a full-time starter as a junior, Saunders averaged 17.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 60 games for the Cougars, earning First Team All-Big 12 honors last year and leading BYU to just its third Sweet 16 appearance since 1981.
During last year’s NCAA tournament run, Saunders averaged 22.0 points per game and shot 41.7% from 3-point range.
A fan favorite since his debut in 2022 and one of the most beloved Cougar athletes of his generation, Saunders ranks 17th in points scored (1,544), eighth in made 3-pointers (205), 12th in steals (133) and 15th in 20-point games (26) on BYU’s all-time program leaderboard.
“My story has never been one of ease. And while I didn’t plan for this, my career is not over,” Saunders wrote. “I will return with more fight and more grit than before. My goals haven’t changed. I don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but I trust that God is in the details. I trust His plan.”
With a Quad 1-heavy final stretch of the regular season ahead, the Cougars will look to bench pieces Tyler Mrus, Mihailo Boskovic and Aleksej Kostic — along with leaning further on stars AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III — to help fill the void left behind by Saunders.
