Morgantown, W.Va. • BYU didn’t want to make a change at quarterback this week.
As recently as last Saturday, head coach Kalani Sitake proclaimed his commitment to Kedon Slovis— placing the bulk of the blame for BYU’s offensive woes on the offensive line and the rest of the unit rather than the quarterback.
“How about we protect him first,” Sitake said when the Cougars scored just six points against Texas.
But after a week of saying Slovis would remain the starter, it was ultimately injuries that had the final word. Slovis has been hurt the last few weeks, The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Thursday, and will miss the game against West Virginia.
It leaves BYU to turn to backup quarterback Jake Retzlaff in Morgantown. And it will give everyone a prime opportunity to see if Slovis really was the issue, or if this offense will say in neutral even with a new leader.
(Photo by Jaren Wilkey | BYU) Quarterback Jake Retzlaff attempts a pass in spring practice on March 10, 2023.
How to watch
Time: 5:00 p.m. MT / 7:00 p.m. ET
Television channel: FOX
Radio: BYU radio SiriusXM 143/ BYURadio.org / BYU Radio App/ KSL 1160 AM,102.7 FM
Weather: 50s and cloudy
Keys to the game
1. A new quarterback, new offense?
The game plan will change with Retzlaff as the starter. That much is certain. The question is, can those changes give the offense some new life?
It is no secret the unit has struggled this year. It ranks 91st in passing efficiency and hasn’t reached the 300-yard mark in four straight games.
The rushing attack also hasn’t worked consistently and every completion looks difficult.
Retzlaff’s presence could ease some of these issues. He is more mobile than Slovis and not as reliant on making pinpoint throws.
He also might be able to navigate a spotty offensive line better. BYU hasn’t done a great job protecting Slovis. Retzlaff can get out and run. He also can throw on the move.
2. Two time zones away, but at night
Sitake was asked this week if playing two time zones away, at 7 p.m. local time, will be a challenge for BYU.
He answered by telling a joke.
“I always hear about how we are not good in day games,” Sitake said. “Now we got a night game and you guys don’t want to talk about that anymore.”
It is true. BYU plays much better at night (at least statistically). So a 7 p.m. kickoff might be just what the Cougars ordered as they chase a sixth win — even if it does come on the East Coast.
The bigger challenge will be dealing with the Mountaineers’ ground attack. West Virginia runs for more yards than it throws. It is led by running back CJ Donaldson and quarterback Garrett Greene. Greene has 400 yards on the ground and 1,340 yards through the air.
It ensures West Virginia holds onto the ball for long stretches (top five in time of possession).
That is Sitake’s main focus, not playing at night. He joked BYU will have to “embrace the night” and that he is looking forward to seeing many of the West Virginia traditions. That included the stadium singing “Country Roads.”
3. The bigger picture this season
Sitake has been unhappy with his team’s performance at times this season. He’s been critical of the offense and the defense’s inconsistency.
But after a blowout loss to Texas, Sitake seemed relatively pleased with the effort. He used this week to zoom out and take the long view of BYU’s first trip through the Big 12.
“We lost three games this year. They happen to be on the road,” Sitake said. “Tough to play on the road in this conference. We didn’t perform at our best against a [TCU] team that was in the national championship last year. And the other two teams that we lost to, one is ranked in the top 25 [Kansas] and the other one is ranked in the top 10 [Texas]. So that is the reality of it all.
“… I was proud of the way the guys played. Did it go our way? No. We fought. We had a chance.”
West Virginia and Iowa State are the two most winnable games left on the schedule. BYU needs one more win to get to a bowl game.
Headlines:
• BYU will have a new starting quarterback against West Virginia, sources say
• BYU’s backup QB might give the Cougars something they’ve been missing
• Eye on the Y: What’s the most winnable game left on the Cougars’ schedule?
• Bench Kedon Slovis? ‘How about we just protect him first,’ BYU coach Kalani Sitake says
• Big 12 Power Rankings: Texas back on top in final month of the season
• Sunday is former BYU QB Jaren Hall’s ‘Super Bowl.’ He says he’s ready for the moment
Quotable:
“Looking forward to the cool traditions that they have. [West Virginia] has a passionate fan base that loves their teams. I know from talking to a lot of different people who have been out there, this is a hard place to play,” head coach Kalani Sitake said.
“I like fans who care and have passion for it. Looking forward to hearing them all sing. It is going to be nice hearing Country Roads, take me home. That is a cool song. I think there is a lot of really cool things about college football and I’m glad we get to go be in that environment and compete.”