Instant Takeaways From BYU’s Dominant Alamo Bowl Victory Over Colorado
Dec 28, 2024, 9:04 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2024, 9:37 pm
SAN ANTONIO – BYU’s defense and special teams controlled the action from the opening kick-off in a 36-14 dismantling of the Colorado Buffaloes.
SPLASH ZONE. pic.twitter.com/DqlxjtOw4Z
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 29, 2024
Here are some instant takeaways from BYU’s dominant victory over Colorado in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.
BYU’s best performance of the season
During the week when everyone nationally focused on Colorado’s star power, BYU’s messaging was clear: They have players who can play, too.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said at the Pep Rally earlier in the week he couldn’t wait to “unleash them.”
He wasn’t kidding.
BYU wrapped up the 2024 season with its best game, in which all three phases performed at a high level to deliver one of the best wins in the Kalani Sitake era.
During the ESPN broadcast, play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch said Jake Retzlaff will be one of the top five quarterbacks in college football next season.
This was the type of win that will generate more national attention and narrative on BYU football heading into the 2025 campaign.
Special Teams were special
Kelly Poppinga deserves a season award for how he coached up the BYU special teams unit in 2024.
They were excellent again on Saturday night against Colorado.
BYU punt returner Parker Kingston returned a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown that built BYU’s lead to 17-0 in the second quarter.
Then BYU’s kickoff unit converted a successful onside kick, and Ethan Slade came up with the recovery.
Kingston had more than 100 yards in punt returns against the Buffs.
A pleasant surprise was Enoch Nawahine, who had strong runs in the kick return game as Colorado looked to avoid All-American returner Keelan Marion.
BYU’s physicality set the tone
Both teams were motivated to win this game. This wasn’t your typical bowl game where one of the squads was disinterested and didn’t want to be there.
With fully stocked rosters, physicality would be an x-factor in the game. That’s why it was key going into determine who could set the tone on the physicality front.
It was clear from the opening kickoff that it was BYU.
BYU’s defense played fast and came out hitting, sending a message that Colorado’s offense was going to feel them all night.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders was complimentary throughout the week on BYU’s defense, saying that it would require a lot of problem-solving to attack BYU’s defense.
BYU limited the impact of Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter’s speed and talent is undeniable. However, BYU did a solid job of limiting his impact.
Aside from two receptions that went for 58 and 43 yards, respectively, Hunter was kept in check. The 43-yarder did get Colorado on the board in the third quarter.
However, there were other deep ball attempts where BYU was able to blanket and prevent Hunter from coming up with the play.
When Hunter was on defense, BYU didn’t target his way often.
The victory over Colorado was BYU’s first win over a team that featured a Heisman Trophy winner from that season. Previously, BYU was 0-3 (Matt Leinart, Chris Weinke, Herschel Walker).
Aaron Roderick & Jay Hill were dealing
BYU’s coordinators had themselves a day.
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill was excited about the matchup throughout the week. He had a good feeling that his group would show up. And the BYU defense has done that for most of this season.
So it was no surprise that BYU’s defense played well. But to dominate the high-powered Colorado offense the way that they did, that probably caught many off guard.
Then offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick deserves his flowers.
He’s received his share of criticisms from fans and pundits on the outside. But Saturday night inside the Alamodome was one of his finest playcall games as BYU’s offensive coordinator.
There were some play calls that he probably would like back. But the creativity, the balance, it was all there. Colorado’s defense had no answer on how to stop BYU.
The new wrinkle of utilizing Gerry Bohanon in the QB run game was a stroke of genius and caught everyone off guard.
It was the type of game that should silence many of the critics as BYU heads into an exciting offseason.
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.
