Five Things We Learned From Kalani Sitake’s BYU/Kansas Presser
Nov 11, 2024, 10:27 PM | Updated: Nov 12, 2024, 10:56 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU football hosts the Kansas Jayhawks for the first time ever in Provo this Saturday night.
In preparation for the Big 12 clash, BYU kicked off another game week with a virtual press conference from head coach Kalani Sitake.
ON TO THE NEXT. pic.twitter.com/6vHTOvOS9P
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 11, 2024
Sitake spent 18 minutes during his weekly Zoom call with the media on Monday to set the stage for Saturday’s rematch opportunity for BYU.
Last season, BYU lost to Kansas in Lawrence in their Big 12 opener, 38-27.
Brayden Keim is not out for the season
BYU offensive tackle Brayden Keim suffered an injury during the fourth quarter in Saturday’s win at Utah.
Keim remained on this week’s depth chart because he isn’t ruled out for the season and isn’t “doubtful” this week against Kansas. Sitake noted they will need more time to evaluate.
“We’re still reviewing it. But definitely not out for the season,” Sitake said when asked about Brayden Keim’s status for this week against Kansas. “There’s a possibility that he comes back. He’s a tough kid. We’ll take a look at it and see if he can be able to go this week. If not, then it’s got to be the next guy out.
Brayden Keim helped off the field with an injury.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 10, 2024
“Really, today and tomorrow, we’ll be able to get a good feeling for the time for all of that. But unfortunately, that happened. I think he got rolled up on during a pressure that was a sack. He’s done some amazing things for us. If he can go, great, and he’s tough. If he can go, we’ll get him back and he’ll be ready to roll this weekend. If not, I know he can give us the role that Connor Pay did for us when Connor was out.”
Keim has started all nine games this season at right tackle. If he is unable to go, Colorado transfer Isaiah Jatta would likely be the replacement. Jatta stepped in for Keim against Utah in the fourth quarter.
BYU returns to the “same process” for Kansas week after a “fun” rivalry win
After BYU’s thrilling 22-21 win over Utah, the undefeated Cougars received a heroes welcome from BYU students at the Student Athlete Building when the team busses returned to Provo from Salt Lake City.
The celebration caused a later sleep time than expected.
COME PLAY FOR THE BEST FANS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL @byuROC @BYUfootball
Go Cougs!🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/QVaw0xXNAo
— Tyus Moe (@CoachTyusMoe) November 10, 2024
“Glad that we got to enjoy the energy, the festivities, all of that stuff, and came home and the entire ROC section was here, greeted us off the busses, which made us getting home and getting to bed a lot later than we anticipated,” said Sitake.
The focus now is turning the page to Kansas this week.
“As much fun as that game was, now we go back to our same process of learning from the game, trying to find a way to get better and improving from it. Then now, moving on to the next one and doing it with the ability of staying humble and staying hungry and getting back. That’s what we’re going to do this week.”
Connor Pay latest
BYU has been without center Connor Pay since the Baylor game on September 28. He injured his left foot during that win over the Bears in September.
During the Utah game, Pay was still sporting a boot on his left foot but was walking. He was no longer rolling the sideline on a scooter.
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After the win over Utah, Pay wrote on his personal Instagram, “Can’t wait to be back out there with my brothers next week!”
Sitake was asked what the outlook is for Pay entering the Kansas game.
“It’s going to be really close. I think he could have pushed it maybe against Utah. But I think we did the right thing,” said Sitake. “We’re hoping to get Connor back this week. Today and tomorrow, will be more of the measurement if we’re able to get that done. But we feel good about it.”
Kalani’s approach to handling calls by officials that don’t go his way
During his virtual press conference, Sitake was asked how he handles officials making calls that don’t go his team’s way. The question was based on the reactions from Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham’s emotion after the game and the comments by Utah AD Mark Harlan expressing his frustration with the officials.
“I think it’s a human reaction to be upset and be frustrated. I know how I can deal with it,” said Sitake. “But with that [Utah game] crew, there are things that didn’t go in our favor. When I talked to the crew and they explained it to me, one that came to mind was the facemask [penalty on Isaiah Glasker]. I was obviously frustrated about it because it wasn’t a face mask. I think you can see it on film, that it wasn’t. So I was upset, and I was getting my words in. The ref came over to the side and gave me some time and listened to my frustration.
“He gave me an explanation, and he said, ‘Coach, from my point of view, it looked like it was a facemask.’ And you know, he owned up to say, ‘If I missed it, but from my point of view, I hope you can understand where I’m coming from.’ And you know what, when you watch it on film, I can see what he saw. I appreciate the communication. At some point, we just have to move on and get the next call in and keep coaching.”
Value of facing a repeat Big 12 opponent from last year
Despite being in year two of the Big 12 Conference, this week’s BYU game against Kansas marks only the second repeat opponent from last year’s inaugural Big 12 schedule.
The other was Oklahoma State earlier this season.
Sitake was asked his thoughts on the value of facing a team they played a year ago.
“We’re excited because we know that game didn’t go our way last year and actually started off wrong,” Sitake said. “We know we can play better than what we did against them. So now they’re coming to our house, and we’re excited about the opportunity to play them again. A lot of their guys are back. The matchup is going to be awesome. We know that they’ve got a lot to prove, they had a great game last week. Look at what they did against Iowa State.
“So, for us, we have to be on top of everything. We see on film how dangerous they are, tons of talent and I know they’re well-coached. A lot of appreciation for their coach and what they’ve been able to do. Looking at Lance [Leipold] and the entire program, they take on his personality. He’s tough and rugged. But man, the football IQ is impressive.”
No. 7 BYU vs. Kansas
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. (MST)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM — Extended pregame begins at 6 p.m.)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.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.
