Introduction about BYU Cougars Football Team
The BYU Cougars football team is the college football program representing Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Cougars began collegiate football competition in 1922, and have won 23 conference championships and one national championship in 1984.
- Team Name: BYU Cougars
- Short Name: BYU
- Team Owner(s): The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Prominent Players
- Steve Young
- Ty Detmer
- Jim McMahon
- Robbie Bosco
- Max Hall
- Taysom Hill
- Zach Wilson
The Cougars play their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium, which has a capacity of 63,470. The team is currently coached by Kalani Sitake.
The Cougars have a long and storied history in college football. They have been one of the most successful programs in the Mountain West Conference, and they have made several appearances in bowl games. The Cougars are also one of the most popular college football teams in the country, and they have a large and passionate fan base.
History about BYU Cougars Football Team
The BYU Cougars football team was founded in 1922. The team’s first head coach was Alvin Twitchell, who led the Cougars to a 1-5 record in their inaugural season. The Cougars have had 24 head coaches since Twitchell, including LaVell Edwards, who is the winningest coach in BYU history with a record of 257-101-3.
The Cougars have won 23 conference championships, including 11 in the Mountain West Conference. The Cougars have also made 40 bowl appearances, with a record of 17-22-1. The Cougars’ most recent bowl appearance was in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which they lost to Western Kentucky.
The Cougars have had a number of successful players over the years, including Steve Young, Ty Detmer, Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco, Max Hall, Taysom Hill, and Zach Wilson. Young and Detmer are both Heisman Trophy winners, and McMahon was a two-time All-American. Bosco, Hall, Hill, and Wilson were all named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
The Cougars have a long and storied history in college football. They have been one of the most successful programs in the Mountain West Conference, and they have made several appearances in bowl games. The Cougars are also one of the most popular college football teams in the country, and they have a large and passionate fan base.
Here is a brief overview of the Cougars’ history by decade
- 1920s: The Cougars were founded in 1922 and played their first season in 1923. They had a record of 1-5 in their inaugural season.
- 1930s: The Cougars had a record of 33-22-3 in the 1930s. They won their first conference championship in 1932.
- 1940s: The Cougars had a record of 32-27-3 in the 1940s. They won two more conference championships in 1940 and 1941.
- 1950s: The Cougars had a record of 43-24-2 in the 1950s. They won two more conference championships in 1954 and 1956.
- 1960s: The Cougars had a record of 44-27-3 in the 1960s. They won one conference championship in 1965.
- 1970s: The Cougars had a record of 47-30-1 in the 1970s. They won three conference championships in 1974, 1976, and 1978.
- 1980s: The Cougars had a record of 61-21-2 in the 1980s. They won four conference championships in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984. The Cougars also won the national championship in 1984.
- 1990s: The Cougars had a record of 55-32-2 in the 1990s. They won one conference championship in 1996.
- 2000s: The Cougars had a record of 51-38-1 in the 2000s. They won one conference championship in 2001.
- 2010s: The Cougars had a record of 44-38-1 in the 2010s. They won one conference championship in 2016.
- 2020s: The Cougars had a record of 6-5 in the 2020s. They have not yet won a conference championship in the 2020s.
Coaching Staff Information about BYU Cougars Football Team
Head Coach: Kalani Sitake
- Born: Nuku’alofa, Tonga
- Education: Brigham Young University (BA, 2000)
- Coaching Experience:
- BYU (2016-present)
- Utah State (2013-2015)
- Oregon State (2012)
- Southern Utah (2005-2011)
Sitake is the 17th head coach in BYU history. He was hired in December 2015 after serving as the defensive coordinator at Utah State for two seasons. Sitake is a former BYU player, and he was a member of the Cougars’ 1984 national championship team.
Sitake’s coaching philosophy is based on discipline, hard work, and faith. He believes that these qualities are essential for success on and off the field. Sitake is also a strong advocate for character development, and he believes that it is important for his players to be good citizens.
Offensive Coordinator: Ty Detmer
- Born: San Luis Obispo, California
- Education: Brigham Young University (BS, 1992)
- Playing Experience:
- BYU (1989-1992)
- Coaching Experience:
- Philadelphia Eagles (1997)
- Green Bay Packers (1998-2001)
- San Diego Chargers (2002-2006)
- Kansas City Chiefs (2007-2008)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2011-2012)
- Arizona Cardinals (2013-2014)
- Southern Utah (2015)
- BYU (2016-present)
Detmer is a former BYU quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1990. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, and he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Detmer began his coaching career in 1997 as an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has since held coaching positions with the Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, and Southern Utah.
Detmer’s coaching philosophy is based on attacking the opponent with a high-powered offense. He believes in using a variety of formations and plays to keep the defense guessing. Detmer is also a strong advocate for player development, and he believes that it is important for his players to be well-rounded individuals.
Defensive Coordinator: Ilaisa Tuiaki
- Born: Provo, Utah
- Education: BYU (BS, 1995)
- Playing Experience:
- BYU (1991-1995)
- Coaching Experience:
- Oregon State (2001-2012)
- Utah (2013-2015)
- BYU (2016-present)
Tuiaki is a former BYU linebacker who played in the NFL for three seasons. He began his coaching career in 2001 as a graduate assistant at Oregon State. He was promoted to linebackers coach in 2002 and defensive coordinator in 2011. Tuiaki joined the Utah staff in 2013 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014. He returned to BYU in 2016.
Tuiaki’s coaching philosophy is based on discipline, hard work, and fundamentals. He believes that these qualities are essential for success on and off the field. Tuiaki is also a strong advocate for player development, and he believes that it is important for his players to be good citizens.
Other Coaches:
- Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/Safeties: Ed Lamb
- Offensive Line: Mike Empey
- Running Backs: Reno Mahe
- Wide Receivers: Ben Cahoon
- Tight Ends: Steve Clark
- Defensive Line: Steve Kaufusi
- Linebackers: Justin Ena
- Cornerbacks: Jernaro Gilford
BYU Cougars Football Team information about players
| Name | Jersey | Position | Height | Weight | High School | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kedon Slovis | 1 | Quarterback | 6’2″ | 210 lbs | Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, AZ) | 4-star |
| Keanu Hill | 2 | Wide Receiver | 6’0″ | 190 lbs | Bingham (South Jordan, UT) | 4-star |
| Cody Epps | 8 | Wide Receiver | 6’2″ | 195 lbs | Corner Canyon (Riverton, UT) | 4-star |
| Chase Roberts | 11 | Wide Receiver | 6’0″ | 190 lbs | Corner Canyon (Riverton, UT) | 4-star |
| Miles Kendrick | 14 | Running Back | 5’11” | 200 lbs | Bingham (South Jordan, UT) | 4-star |
| Jackson McChesney | 22 | Running Back | 6’0″ | 215 lbs | Lone Peak (Highland, UT) | 4-star |
| Blake Freeland | 55 | Offensive Line | 6’5″ | 300 lbs | Lone Peak (Highland, UT) | 4-star |
| Cannon DeVries | 65 | Offensive Line | 6’6″ | 320 lbs | Corner Canyon (Riverton, UT) | 4-star |
| Keenan Pili | 93 | Defensive Line | 6’2″ | 290 lbs | East (Salt Lake City, UT) | 4-star |
| Payton Wilgar | 94 | Defensive Line | 6’2″ | 290 lbs | Bingham (South Jordan, UT) | 4-star |
| Chaz Ah You | 97 | Defensive Line | 6’4″ | 275 lbs | Bingham (South Jordan, UT) | 4-star |
These are just a few of the many talented players on the BYU Cougars roster for the 2023 season. The Cougars are expected to be one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference, and they have a chance to make a run at a bowl game.
BYU Cougars Football Team’s last 10 years of records
| Year | Overall Record | Conference Record | Bowl Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6-6 | 5-3 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (L, 55-38) |
| 2021 | 9-4 | 7-1 | Gasparilla Bowl (W, 38-7) |
| 2020 | 11-1 | 7-0 | No bowl game due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2019 | 7-6 | 5-3 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (W, 49-18) |
| 2018 | 6-7 | 4-4 | New Mexico Bowl (L, 35-14) |
| 2017 | 7-6 | 6-2 | Poinsettia Bowl (L, 38-20) |
| 2016 | 10-3 | 7-1 | Cactus Bowl (W, 38-24) |
| 2015 | 9-4 | 7-1 | Poinsettia Bowl (W, 45-10) |
| 2014 | 8-5 | 5-3 | Las Vegas Bowl (L, 38-20) |
The BYU Cougars have had a mixed bag of results over the past 10 years. They have had two winning seasons, but they have also had two losing seasons. The Cougars have made two bowl games in the past 10 years, but they have lost both of them.
The Cougars are hoping to turn things around in 2023. They have a talented roster, and they have a new head coach in Kalani Sitake. The Cougars are expected to be one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference, and they have a chance to make a run at a bowl game.
Season Preview: BYU Cougars Football Team
The Cougars are coming off a 6-6 season in 2022, but they have a lot of talent returning in 2023. The Cougars will be led by quarterback Kedon Slovis, who transferred from USC. Slovis is a talented quarterback who has the potential to lead the Cougars to a bowl game.
The Cougars also have a strong receiving corps led by Keanu Hill and Cody Epps. Hill and Epps are both talented receivers who can make plays down the field. The Cougars also have a good running game led by Miles Kendrick and Jackson McChesney. Kendrick and McChesney are both hard-nosed running backs who can grind out yards.
The Cougars’ defense is led by Keenan Pili and Payton Wilgar. Pili and Wilgar are both talented defensive linemen who can get pressure on the quarterback. The Cougars also have a good secondary led by Chaz Ah You and Troy Warner. Ah You and Warner are both talented cornerbacks who can make plays in coverage.
The Cougars have a lot of talent returning in 2023, and they have the potential to be one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference. However, the Cougars will face some challenges in 2023. The Cougars will have a new head coach in Kalani Sitake, and it will take some time for him to get his system in place. The Cougars will also face a tough schedule in 2023, with games against Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Despite the challenges, the Cougars have the talent to be a successful team in 2023. If the Cougars can stay healthy and play up to their potential, they have the chance to make a run at a bowl game.
Here is a table of the BYU Cougars football team’s 2023 schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 2 | Sam Houston | Provo, UT |
| September 9 | Southern Utah | Provo, UT |
| September 16 | at Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
| September 23 | at Kansas | Lawrence, KS |
| September 29 | Cincinnati | Provo, UT |
| October 14 | at TCU | Fort Worth, TX |
| October 21 | Texas Tech | Provo, UT |
| October 28 | at Texas | Austin, TX |
| November 4 | at West Virginia | Morgantown, WV |
| November 11 | Iowa State | Provo, UT |
| November 18 | Oklahoma | Provo, UT |
| November 25 | at Oklahoma State | Stillwater, OK |
The table is sortable and searchable to help fans quickly find the games they’re looking for.
FAQs about the BYU Cougars football team
What is the BYU Cougars football team’s mascot?
The BYU Cougars football team’s mascot is the cougar. The cougar is a large cat that is native to North America. The cougar is a symbol of strength, power, and speed.
What is the BYU Cougars football team’s colors?
The BYU Cougars football team’s colors are blue and white. Blue is the primary color, and white is the secondary color. The blue represents the sky, and the white represents the clouds.
What is the BYU Cougars football team’s home stadium?
The BYU Cougars football team’s home stadium is LaVell Edwards Stadium. LaVell Edwards Stadium is located in Provo, Utah. LaVell Edwards Stadium has a capacity of 63,470.
What is the BYU Cougars football team’s conference?
The BYU Cougars football team is a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Mountain West Conference is a Division I college football conference. The Mountain West Conference has 12 members: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, and Wyoming.
What is the BYU Cougars football team’s biggest rival?
The BYU Cougars football team’s biggest rival is the Utah Utes. The BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes have played each other 101 times. The BYU Cougars lead the series 60-37-4. The BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes play each other every year in the Holy War. The Holy War is one of the most heated rivalries in college football.
