2023 BYU Cougars football team

2023 BYU Cougars football
2023 BYU Cougars football
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Record	5–7 (2–7 Big 12)
Head coach	Kalani Sitake (8th season);
Offensive coordinator	Aaron Roderick (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Power spread
Defensive coordinator	Jay Hill (1st season)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	LaVell Edwards Stadium
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

The 2023 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University (BYU) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars were led by eighth-year head coach Kalani Sitake and played their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The season was the first year that BYU competed in the Big 12.^[1] The BYU Cougars football team drew an average home attendance of 61,944 in 2023, the 26th highest in college football.^[2]

ConferenceBig 12 Conference

Record5–7 (2–7 Big 12)

Headcoach

Kalani Sitake (8th season)

OffensivecoordinatorAaron Roderick (3rd season)

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2023 Big 12 Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 3 Texas y$^	8	–	1	12	–	2
No. 16 Oklahoma State y	7	–	2	10	–	4
No. 15 Oklahoma	7	–	2	10	–	3
Iowa State	6	–	3	7	–	6
No. 18 Kansas State	6	–	3	9	–	4
West Virginia	6	–	3	9	–	4
Texas Tech	5	–	4	7	–	6
No. 23 Kansas	5	–	4	9	–	4
UCF	3	–	6	6	–	7
TCU	3	–	6	5	–	7
Houston	2	–	7	4	–	8
BYU	2	–	7	5	–	7
Baylor	2	–	7	3	–	9
Cincinnati	1	–	8	3	–	9
Championship: Texas 49, Oklahoma State 21
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

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[1]

[2]

Name	Pos.	Height	Weight	Hometown	Notes
Jackson Bowers	TE	6'5"	245	Mesa, Arizona	^[8]
Owen Borg	LB	6'2"	200	Draper, Utah	Mission prior to enrolling^[9]
Ryder Burton	QB	6'2"	200	Springville, Utah	^[10]
Pierson Watson	LB	6'3"	210	Flagstaff, Arizona	Mission prior to enrolling^[11]
David Tangilanu	DL	6'5"	255	East Palo Alto, California	Mission prior to enrolling^[12]
Jojo Phillips	WR	6'5"	195	Lancaster, California	^[13]
Miles Hall	WR	6'2"	205	St. George, Utah	^[14]
Siale Esera	LB	6'3"	250	Provo, Utah	^[15]
Saimone Davis	DL	6'5"	220	Hau'ula, Hawaii	Mission prior to enrolling^[16]
Matthew Fredrick	TE	6'5"	230	Salt Lake City, Utah	Mission prior to enrolling^[17]
Talitu'i Pututau	DL	6'5"	260	Salt Lake City, Utah	Mission prior to enrolling^[18]
Ethan Thomason	OL	6'8"	320	Fort Collins, Colorado	Mission prior to enrolling^[19]
LJ Martin	RB	6'2"	205	El Paso, Texas	^[20]
Kevin Doe	WR	6'5"	190	Salt Lake City, Utah	^[21]
Motekiai Mo'Unga	DL	6'3"	250	Provo, Utah	Mission prior to enrolling^[22]
Jake Hill	WR	6'3"	195	St George, Utah	^[23]
Naseri Danielson	DB	6'2"	200	Stockton, California	^[24]
Nason Coleman	TE	6'3"	235	Chandler, Arizona	^[25]
Jordan Kapisi	K	6'0"	190	Honolulu, Hawaii	^[26]

Nukuluve Helu	RB	6'1"	215	Freshman	^[27]
Ace Kaufusi	LB	6'3"	205	Freshman	^[28]
Devin Downing	WR	6'2"	190	Freshman	^[29]
Jake Griffin	OL	6'6"	285	Freshman	^[30]
Ty Burke	DB	6'1"	175	Freshman	^[31]
Koa Eldredge	WR	6'0"	195	Freshman	^[32]
Raider Damuni	DB	6'2"	210	Freshman	^[33]
Cole Hagen	QB	6'2"	185	Freshman	^[34]
John Henry Daley	DL	6'5"	225	Freshman	^[35]
Petey Tuipulotu	DB	6'3"	195	Freshman	^[36]
Weston Jones	OL	6'5"	255	Freshman	^[37]
Lucky Finau	LB	6'0"	230	Freshman	^[38]
Kasen Krebs	LB	6'1"	210	Freshman	^[39]
Landon Rehkow	P	5'11"	170	Freshman	^[40]
Matthias Dunn	K	6'0"	175	Freshman	^[41]
Bentley Redden	TE	6'5"	220	Freshman	^[42]

Name	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Previous school
Kedon Slovis	QB	6'3"	215	Senior	Transfer from University of Pittsburgh^[43]
Jayden Dunlap	DB	6'1"	173	Junior	Transfer from Cerritos College^[44]
Aidan Robbins	RB	6'3"	230	Junior	Transfer from University of Nevada Las Vegas^[45]
Isaiah Bagnah	DL	6'4"	235	Junior	Transfer from Boise State University^[46]
Will Ferrin	K	6'3"	175	Sophomore	Transfer from Boise State University^[47]
Jackson Cravens	DL	6'2"	305	Junior	Transfer from Boise State University^[48]
Weylin Lapuaho	OL	6'4"	310	Sophomore	Transfer from Utah State University^[49]
Nuuletau Sellesin	DL	6'1"	240	Sophomore	Transfer from Weber State University^[50]
Ian Fitzgerald	OL	6'5"	305	Senior	Transfer from Missouri State University^[51]
Jake Retzlaff	QB	6'2"	205	Junior	Transfer from Riverside City College^[52]
Paul Maile	OL	6'2"	300	Senior	Transfer from University of Utah^[53]
Crew Wakley	DB	6'0"	203	Sophomore	Transfer from Utah State University^[54]
Eddie Heckard	DB	5'10"	190	Senior	Transfer from Weber State University^[55]
Dylan Flowers	DB	5'11"	180	Sophomore	Transfer from Southern Utah University^[56]
David Latu	DL	6'4"	300	Sophomore	Transfer from Snow College^[57]
AJ Vongphachanh	LB	6'2"	230	Senior	Transfer from Utah State University^[58]
Caleb Etienne	OL	6'7"	325	Junior	Transfer from Oklahoma State University^[59]
Jake Eichorn	OL	6'5"	285	Sophomore	Transfer from Weber State University^[60]
Darius Lassiter	WR	6'3"	200	Senior	Transfer from Eastern Michigan University^[61]
Keelan Marion	WR	6'0"	200	Junior	Transfer from University of Connecticut^[62]
Kamden Garrett	DB	5'11"	175	Senior	Transfer from Weber State University^[63]
Ray Paulo	TE	6'3"	255	Junior	Transfer from Allan Hancock College^[64]
Deion Smith	RB	6'0"	190	Senior	Transfer from University of Colorado^[65]
Harrison Taggart	LB	6'1"	216	Freshman	Transfer from University of Oregon^[66]
Sione Moa	LB	6'1"	220	Sophomore	Transfer from Utah State University^[67]
Simi Moala	OL	6'7"	312	Senior	Transfer from University of Utah^[68]
Mata'ava Ta'ase	TE	6'3"	255	Junior	Transfer from Southern Utah University^[69]
Joseph Paulo	OL	6'8"	330	Junior	Transfer from San Mateo College^[70]
Wyatt Dawe	DL	6'0"	300	Sophomore	Transfer from Southern Utah University^[71]
Malae Tanuvasa	DB	6'0"	180	Freshman	Transfer from University of Utah^[72]
Marcus Mckenzie	DB	6'0"	172	Freshman	Originally Signed in 2022^[73]
Maika Kaufusi	LB	6'4"	210	Freshman	Originally Signed in 2022^[74]
Kaden Chidester	DL	6'8"	290	Freshman	Originally Signed in 2022^[75]

Name	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Reason
Matthew Criddle	DB	6'1"	195	Senior	Graduation
Lorenzo Fauatea	DL	6'4"	310	Senior	Graduation
Alden Tofa	DL	6'4"	277	Senior	Graduation
Earl Tuioti-Mariner	DL	6'4"	288	Senior	Graduation
Lane Lunt	TE	6'4"	235	Senior	Graduation
Kaleb Hayes	DB	6'0"	195	Senior	Graduation
Chris Jackson	DB	5'10"	184	Senior	Graduation
Joe Tukuafu	OL	6'4"	300	Senior	Graduation
D'Angelo Mandell	DB	6'1"	192	Senior	Graduation
Christopher Brooks	RB	6'1"	230	Senior	Graduation
Lopini Katoa	RB	6'1"	210	Senior	Graduation
Pepe Tanuvasa	LB	6'1"	245	Senior	Graduation
Houston Heimuli	RB	5'11"	265	Senior	Graduation
Harris LaChance	OL	6'8"	310	Junior	Graduation
Brayden Cosper	WR	6'3"	205	Junior	Graduation
Jake Oldroyd	K	6'1"	195	Junior	Graduation
Gunner Romney	WR	6'2"	195	Junior	Graduation
Jaren Hall	QB	6'1"	205	Junior	NFL Draft
Puka Nacua	WR	6'2"	205	Junior	NFL Draft
Blake Freeland	OT	6'8"	305	Junior	NFL Draft
Payton Wilgar	LB	6'3"	235	Junior	Graduation
Jackson Kaufusi	LB	6'2"	226	Junior	Graduation
Hayden Livingston	DB	6'1"	205	Junior	Graduation
Alema Pilimai	DL	6'4"	275	Junior	Graduation
Gabe Summers	DL	6'2"	295	Junior	Graduation
Carter Wheat	TE	6'4"	236	Junior	Graduation
Britton Hogan	LS	6'3"	200	Junior	Graduation
Jackson McChesney	RB	6'0"	225	Sophomore	Graduation
Masen Wake	TE	6'1"	260	Junior	Graduation
Morgan Pyper	LB	6'2"	215	Junior	Graduation
Dallin Holker	TE	6'5"	240	Sophomore	Transfer
Jacob Conover	QB	6'1"	205	Freshman	Transfer
Campbell Barrington	OL	6'6"	295	Sophomore	Transfer
Terence Fall	WR	6'3"	185	Freshman	Transfer
Tate Romney	LB	6'3"	220	Freshman	Transfer
Logan Fano	DL	6'4"	240	Freshman	Transfer
Keenan Pili	LB	6'3"	237	Junior	Transfer
Nathaniel Gillis	DB	6'1"	174	Freshman	Transfer
Clark Barrington	OL	6'6"	305	Junior	Transfer
Gabe Jeudy-Lally	DB	6'2"	185	Sophomore	Transfer
Korbyn Green	DB	6'0"	175	Freshman	Transfer
Isaiah Perez	DL	6'3"	280	Freshman	Transfer
Talin Togiai	OL	6'5"	320	Freshman	Transfer
Logan Pili	LB	6'1"	225	Freshman	Transfer
George Udo	DB	6'1"	200	Junior	Transfer
Dean Jones	DB	6'2"	205	Sophomore	Transfer
Vae Soifua	OL	6'4"	296	Freshman	Transfer
Cash Peterman	K	6'0"	200	Freshman	Transfer
Samisoni Peaua	DL	6'3"	225	Freshman	Transfer
Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters	QB	6'1"	200	Freshman	Transfer
Kyson Hall	WR	5'11"	182	Freshman	Transfer
Sione Veikoso	OL	6'7"	305	Freshman
Josh Wilson	LB	6'0"	215	Sophomore
Tavita Gagnier	LB	6'2"	225	Sophomore
Hunter Greer	DL	6'5"	275	Freshman
Carter Krupp	DB	6'1"	210	Freshman
Donovan Hanna	OL	6'4"	307	Freshman
Micah Wilson	LB	6'3"	213	Freshman
Josh Larsen	DL	6'4"	292	Freshman
Kyle Hester	TE	6'4"	245	Freshman
Lisala Tai	OL	6'7"	230	Sophomore
Justen Smith	K	6'2"	205	Sophomore

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	8:15 p.m.	Sam Houston*	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	FS1	W 14–0	59,006
September 9	1:00 p.m.	Southern Utah*	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	ESPN+	W 41–16	60,834
September 16	5:30 p.m.	at Arkansas*	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR	ESPN2	W 38–31	74,826
September 23	1:30 p.m.	at Kansas	David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	ESPN	L 27–38	47,233
September 29	8:15 p.m.	Cincinnati	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	ESPN	W 35–27	63,834
October 14	1:30 p.m.	at TCU	Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX	ESPN	L 11–44	44,599
October 21	5:00 p.m.	Texas Tech	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	FS1	W 27–14	63,523
October 28	1:30 p.m.	at No. 7 Texas	Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium Austin, TX	ABC	L 6–35	101,670
November 4	5:00 p.m.	at West Virginia	Milan Puskar Stadium Morgantown, WV	FOX	L 7–37	50,266
November 11	8:15 p.m.	Iowa State	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	ESPN	L 13–45	60,754
November 18	10:00 a.m.	No. 14 Oklahoma	LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	ESPN	L 24–31	63,714
November 25	1:30 p.m.	at No. 20 Oklahoma State	Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK	ABC	L 34–40 ^2OT	53,885
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) - Released prior to game All times are in Mountain time

2023 BYU Cougars football team

Offseason

Coaching changes

2023 recruits

2022 returned missionaries

2023 other additions

2023 departures

Schedule

Game summaries

Sam Houston

Southern Utah

Arkansas

Kansas

Cincinnati

TCU

Texas Tech

No. 7 Texas

West Virginia

Iowa State

No. 14 Oklahoma

No. 20 Oklahoma State

Personnel

Coaching staff

Roster

Depth chart

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks

Statistics	SHSU	BYU
First downs	11	12
Plays–yards	57–185	67–257
Rushes–yards	24–38	34–112, 2 TD's
Passing yards	147	145
Passing: comp–att–int	18–33–3	20–33
Turnovers
Time of possession	28:27	31:33

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SHSU	Passing	Keegan Shoemaker	18–33–3, 147 yards
	Rushing	John Gentry	8 carries, 19 yards
	Receiving	Noah Smith	3 receptions, 44 yards
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	20–33, 145 yards
	Rushing	LJ Martin	16 carries, 91 yards
	Receiving	Darius Lassiter	4 receptions, 43 yards

Statistics	SUU	BYU
First downs	16	18
Plays–yards	60–346	55–394
Rushes–yards	27–84, 1 TD	23–46, 2 TD's
Passing yards	262	348
Passing: comp–att–int	17–33–1, 1 TD	22–32–1, 4 TD's
Turnovers
Time of possession	31:19	28:41

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SUU	Passing	Justin Miller	16–30–1, 235 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Targhee Lambson	7 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Zach Mitchell	7 receptions, 135 yards
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	22–32–1, 348 yards, 4 TD's
	Rushing	LJ Martin	6 carries, 27 yards
	Receiving	Isaac Rex	4 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD

Statistics	BYU	ARK
First downs	17	21
Plays–yards	57–281	74–424
Rushes–yards	31–77, 2 TD's	39–177, 2 TD's
Passing yards	204	247
Passing: comp–att–int	14–26, 3 TD's	24–35–1, 1 TD
Turnovers
Time of possession	24:50	35:10

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	13–25, 167 yards, 2 TD's
	Rushing	LJ Martin	23 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD's
	Receiving	Parker Kingston	3 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
ARK	Passing	KJ Jefferson	24–35–1, 247 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	AJ Green	9 carries, 86 yards, 2 TD's
	Receiving	Andrew Armstrong	9 receptions, 86 yards

Statistics	BYU	KU
First downs	23	23
Plays–yards	73–366	56–351
Rushes–yards	22–9, 1 TD	37–221
Passing yards	357	130
Passing: comp–att–int	30–51–2, 2 TD's	14–19, 3 TD's
Turnovers
Time of possession	30:05	29:55

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	30–51–2, 357 yards, 2 TD's
	Rushing	LJ Martin	11 carries, 28 yards
	Receiving	Chase Roberts	5 receptions, 89 yards
KU	Passing	Jalon Daniels	14–19, 130 yards, 3 TD's
	Rushing	Devin Neal	17 carries, 91 yards
	Receiving	Lawrence Arnold	4 receptions, 34 yards

Statistics	CIN	BYU
First downs	26	17
Plays–yards	84–498	53–295
Rushes–yards	47–242	28–70, 2 TD's
Passing yards	256	225
Passing: comp–att–int	23–37–1, 3 TD's	14–25, 2 TD's
Turnovers
Time of possession	35:01	24:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CIN	Passing	Emory Jones	23–37–1, 256 yards, 3 TD's
	Rushing	Emory Jones	14 carries, 94 yards
	Receiving	Xzavier Henderson	7 receptions, 74 yards
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	13–24, 223 yards, 2 TD's
	Rushing	LJ Martin	16 carries, 66 yards, 2 TD's
	Receiving	Chase Roberts	6 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	0	0	0	0	0
• Cougars	7	0	0	7	14

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Thunderbirds	3	0	7	6	16
• Cougars	6	21	7	7	41

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Cougars	14	7	10	7	38
Razorbacks	14	10	7	0	31

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Cougars	7	10	3	7	27
• Jayhawks	14	0	14	10	38

Statistics	BYU	TCU
First downs	15	30
Plays–yards	66–243	86–584
Rushes–yards	32–91	27–137
Passing yards	152	447
Passing: comp–att–int	15–34–1	38–59–2, 4 TD's
Turnovers
Time of possession	29:22	30:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	15–34–1, 152 yards
	Rushing	LJ Martin	14 carries, 56 yards
	Receiving	Chase Roberts	3 receptions, 63 yards
TCU	Passing	Josh Hoover	37–58–2, 439 yards, 4 TD's
	Rushing	Emani Bailey	13 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	JP Richardson	6 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

Statistics	TTU	BYU
First downs	19	12
Plays–yards	80–389	57–277
Rushes–yards	43–153	30–150
Passing yards	236	127
Passing: comp–att–int	19–37–3	15–27–0
Turnovers
Time of possession	30:55	29:05

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
TTU	Passing	Jake Strong	19/37, 236 yards, TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Tahj Brooks	31 carries, 105 yards, TD
	Receiving	Xavier White	3 receptions, 98 yards, TD
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	15/27, 127 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	L. J. Martin	10 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Darius Lassiter	4 receptions, 47 yards, TD

Statistics	BYU	UT
First downs	17	16
Plays–yards	66–292	60–354
Rushes–yards	26–95	35–194
Passing yards	197	170
Passing: comp–att–int	25–40–2	16–25–1
Turnovers
Time of possession	33:06	26:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Kedon Slovis	25–40, 197 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Aidan Robbins	17 carries, 56 yards
	Receiving	Darius Lassiter	5 receptions, 75 yards
UT	Passing	Maalik Murphy	16–25, 170 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jonathon Brooks	16 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Adonai Mitchell	3 receptions, 59 yards, 2 TD

Statistics	BYU	WVU
First downs	20	30
Plays–yards	63–277	76–567
Rushes–yards	21–67	48–336
Passing yards	210	231
Passing: comp–att–int	24–42–0	16–28–0
Turnovers
Time of possession	24:33	35:27

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Jake Retzlaff	24/42, 210 yards
	Rushing	Aidan Robbins	10 carries, 37 yards, TD
	Receiving	Parker Kingston	6 receptions, 57 yards
WVU	Passing	Garrett Greene	12/24, 205 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jahiem White	16 carries, 146 yards
	Receiving	Devin Carter	3 receptions, 56 yards

Statistics	ISU	BYU
First downs	21	18
Plays–yards	62–443	66–318
Rushes–yards	37–234	38–188
Passing yards	209	130
Passing: comp–att–int	16–25–0	11–28–2
Turnovers
Time of possession	33:01	26:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
ISU	Passing	Rocco Becht	15/23, 203 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Abu Sama III	8 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Jaylin Noel	5 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
BYU	Passing	Jake Retzlaff	10/27, 104 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jake Retzlaff	17 carries, 64 yards
	Receiving	Isaac Rex	3 receptions, 52 yards, TD

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
OU	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	13/21, 191 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	14 carries, 107 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jalil Farooq	5 receptions, 53 yards
BYU	Passing	Jake Retzlaff	15/26, 173 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Aidan Robbins	22 carries, 182 yards
	Receiving	Kody Epps	6 receptions, 90 yards

Statistics	BYU	OSU
First downs	14	28
Plays–yards	69–327	88–503
Rushes–yards	37–130	41–182
Passing yards	197	321
Passing: comp–att–int	15–31–0	31–47–2
Turnovers
Time of possession	25:30	34:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BYU	Passing	Jake Retzlaff	14/30, 161 yards
	Rushing	Aidan Robbins	16 carries, 74 yards
	Receiving	Keanu Hill	2 receptions, 69 yards
OSU	Passing	Alan Bowman	31/47, 321 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Ollie Gordon II	34 carries, 166 yards, 5 TD
	Receiving	Leon Johnson III	9 receptions, 132 yards

Name	Position
Kalani Sitake	Head coach
Jay Hill	Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/safeties coach
Kelly Poppinga	Special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach
Aaron Roderick	Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Darrell Funk	Offensive line coach
Fesi Sitake	Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach
Justin Ena	Linebackers coach
Steve Clark	Tight ends coach
Jernaro Gilford	Cornerbacks coach
Harvey Unga	Running backs coach
Sione Po'uha	Defensive tackles coach