Final Pregame Thoughts For BYU Vs. Baylor In Provo
Sep 10, 2022, 8:15 PM | Updated: 8:18 pm
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall leads the Cougars into battle against No. 9 Baylor. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – With less than 30 minutes until kickoff, here are some final pregame thoughts for BYU vs Baylor.
– No Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney as expected. Nacua showed up to the stadium in a boot, as he did when he left Raymond James Stadium last week. BYU coach Kalani Sitake said once the adrenaline wore off after last week’s game, the X-Rays suggested that Nacua take this week off.
Kalani Sitake during his pregame interview on the #BYU Sports Network on @kslnewsradio discussing Puka Nacua's injury: "Once the adrenaline wore off [after the USF game], the x-rays came back, and we were told it was probably best to rest him this week."#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 11, 2022
– BYU DL Gabe Summers is suited up and available to play as was reported on Tuesday. Summers tweaked his knee last week in Tampa. He’s available and surprised everyone that he didn’t to miss any time off.
#BYU DC Ilaisa Tuiaki said DL Gabe Summers practiced today. He’s expected to be available this week against Baylor.#BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/xhIVnN4ij5
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2022
– Defensive lineman Atunaisa Mahe was suited up in the pregame warmups. The nose tackle missed all of fall camp due to a shoulder injury. He was also out for last week’s win over USF.
– Defensive back Caleb Christensen participated in pregame warmups. Christensen was a key piece at nickel and in the return game. He missed fall camp due to an undisclosed reason.
#BYU DB Caleb Christensen is going through pregame warmups. Christensen missed all of fall camp. #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/eawz7KCnNL
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 11, 2022
– A representative from the Fiesta Bowl is here in the press box watching BYU vs Baylor.
– Former BYU assistant to scheduling Dallan Moody offered the opening prayer before the game.
– BYU coach Kalani Sitake jumped into the barricade to embrace the students that were cheering him on before he entered LaVell Edwards Stadium. He told Greg Wrubell in his pregame chat that he had already lost his voice a little bit before kickoff from all the cheering.
– BYU is debuting the “Blue Lightning” helmets with a nickel facemask.
– BYU’s student section, the ROC was in their seats at LaVell Edwards Stadium two hours before kickoff.
More than an hour until kickoff and @byuROC is already full for tonight’s Top 25 matchup against Baylor. pic.twitter.com/7ZVvEbLRh9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 11, 2022
– Freshman DL Aisea Moa was not suited up for tonight’s game. Some of the other freshman not suited up included Bodie Schoonover and Isaiah Perez.
– On level three of the LES press box, once you get off the elevator, you’re greeted with a sign that reads, “Welcome to LaVell Edwards Stadium” with a Big 12 logo underneath.
– The pregame meal for the media was once again Tucano’s. It has become an annual tradition in the box for the media.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
