BYU FOOTBALL
Dec 29, 2024, 10:56 AM
Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty (92) douses BYU head coach Kalani Sitake during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
BY
KSL Sports
SAN ANTONIO – BYU football closed out the 2024 season with an impressive 36-14 win over No. 23 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.
The complete effort was one of BYU’s best bowl performances in program history.
Here’s a roundup of notes from the win that closes BYU’s 2024 campaign with an 11-2 record.
Alamo Bowl attendance. Biggest crowd in this game since 2016. pic.twitter.com/MtTC4QkhAX
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2024
The 2024 Alamo Bowl’s announced attendance was 64,261. This was only the second time in the game’s history that two out-of-state programs sold out.
Saturday’s attendance was the largest Alamo Bowl crowd since 2016.
Colorado outdrew BYU at the game, but the Cougar fans, primarily located in the south end zone, made their voices heard throughout the night.
BYU RB LJ Martin (offensive) and LB Isaiah Glasker (defensive) were the 2024 Alamo Bowl MVPs.
Both players shined in the blowout victory over Colorado.
Alamo Bowl champs 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Qsz1STN3TK
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 29, 2024
Martin finished with 17 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while Glasker had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception.
The interception led to Glasker shortly after rolling out the Deion Sanders celebration.
With the transfer portal closed for the December period, both players are projected to be back for the 2025 season. Glasker can declare for the NFL draft if he chooses to do so.
After Saturday’s performances in the Alamo Bowl, each player should be considered one of the best at their respective positions next year in the Big 12 Conference.
Glasker should garner some pre-season All-American buzz next year at linebacker.
BYU’s defense sacked Shedeur Sanders four times during the Alamo Bowl victory. Two of those sacks were the first in the careers of a pair of BYU defenders.
Harry!
Harrison Taggart shot out like a cannon to get to Shedeur Sanders.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2024
Raider Damuni and Harrison Taggart each had sacks, the first of their careers.
Taggart shot out like a cannon on his sack up the middle of Colorado’s defense.
Damuni earned the start at safety in replace of the departed Crew Wakley and shined on the backend of the defense.
Raider Damuni.
During bowl prep practices, he told me that he feels so much more comfortable in this defensive scheme in his second year. Making the most of his opportunity as the starter.
He still has two years of eligibility remaining.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2024
Senior defensive end Logan Lutui caused the sack, resulting in a 23-yard loss, while Siale Esera was credited with the fourth sack.
Esera battled injuries this season and had a strong showing to close out his redshirt campaign.
The victory over Colorado improved BYU’s bowl record under Kalani Sitake to 5-2.
It was the first time in the Sitake era that BYU played a power conference opponent in a bowl game. When the Cougars were an Independent, they didn’t often get the opportunity to match up with a power conference team.
That’s different in the Big 12.
BYU’s 36-14 win over the Buffs was the first over a power league foe since the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl when the Cougars crushed nationally-ranked Oregon State 44-20 in the Las Vegas Bowl.
BYU star wide receiver Chase Roberts left the Alamodome on Saturday night sporting a sling on the left side of his body.
Chase Roberts taking photos with fans after the game while sporting a sling on his left arm. pic.twitter.com/DB19cBfzTZ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2024
Roberts announced last week that he would return to BYU for one final year in 2025. Now, the road to recovery begins.
Roberts had one catch for 11 yards against Colorado.
The veteran pass catcher finished the 2024 season with career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (854). Roberts found the endzone four times.
BYU improves to 1-3 all-time in games against Heisman Trophy winners.
SHEDEUR TO TRAVIS HUNTER FOR AN UNREAL TOUCHDOWN TO PUT COLORADO ON THE BOARD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xXC8DW5JxZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 29, 2024
The victory over Colorado on Saturday featured Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Hunter had four catches for 106 yards and one touchdown, but his impact on the game, aside from two plays, felt minimized.
BYU’s previous games against Heisman Trophy winners were 2004 USC (Matt Leinart), 2000 Florida State (Chris Weinke), and 1982 Georgia (Herschel Walker).
Throughout the week, there was a notable newcomer in the travel party, EDGE rusher/LB Naki Tuakoi.
Jay Hill chatting with BYU LB Naki Tuakoi.
The 2024 signee took part in bowl practices this month. pic.twitter.com/PhA10cG2r7
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 29, 2024
A three-star prospect in the class of 2024, Tuakoi didn’t arrive at BYU when fall camp started in July. However, he was able to participate in practices during the bowl season and was in attendance at the Alamo Bowl with the team on Saturday night.
Tuakoi was rated as a top 500 recruit nationally in the class of 2024 out of Fremont High School in Oakland, California.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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