The final statement made by BYU football in their dominant win over Colorado

After falling to Arizona State early in the season, BYU slipped from College Football Playoff contention. Despite a road victory against playoff-bound SMU, the Cougars were overlooked in national rankings, trailing teams with worse records.

BYU made their case emphatically Saturday night with a commanding 36-14 win over Colorado, improving to 11-2 under head coach Kalani Sitake—his second 11-win season.

The Cougars controlled every facet of the game, outgaining Colorado 331-210 and holding the Buffaloes to just 2 rushing yards. Even though BYU committed multiple red-zone turnovers, their defense and physicality overwhelmed Colorado, whose offense struggled outside of garbage time and two plays by Heisman winner Travis Hunter.

Defensive Dominance

BYU’s defense smothered Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a projected top-10 NFL draft pick, in one of his poorest performances of the season. The Cougars’ relentless pressure and superior play in the trenches highlighted their physicality, stifling Colorado’s offensive rhythm.

Offensive and Special Teams Highlights

BYU’s ground game powered their victory. Running back LJ Martin tallied 88 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and led the team in receiving with 33 yards. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff struggled with two red-zone interceptions but managed 151 passing yards.

Special teams also shone, with Parker Kingston returning a punt for his second touchdown of the season, and Ethan Slade recovering an onside kick.

Momentum for the Future

This decisive win sets BYU up as a strong Big 12 contender in 2025, with much of their 2024 production returning. As the Cougars celebrate their triumph, the focus shifts to maintaining this momentum into next season.