BYU Football Unveils Sailor Coug Helmet For New Mexico Bowl
Dec 17, 2022, 3:54 PM | Updated: 4:34 pm
BYU Football player getting ready for action in the black uniform. (Tyler Richardson/BYU Photo)
(Tyler Richardson/BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY – The BYU football program revealed a new helmet featuring the school’s “Sailor Coug” logo to be worn during the New Mexico Bowl against the SMU Mustangs.
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The Mustangs and Cougars will place at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, December 17.
A couple of hours before kickoff, the Cougars unveiled a special edition royal blue and black Sailor Coug helmet for the bowl game. The Sailor Coug helmet is a similar look to the helmet and dark mode uniform combo that BYU wore during its October contest against Notre Dame.
It’s the second time this season that BYU will sport a helmet featuring a Cougar logo.
New heat for the desert 😎 pic.twitter.com/PK75vpOMio
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 17, 2022
In addition to the Sailor Coug logo on the side, BYU’s helmets will have a pirate sticker on the back in honor of late college football coach and BYU alum, Mike Leach. Earlier in the week, Leach passed away at the age of 61.
We'll do our best to 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 in your honor, Coach Leach 💙 pic.twitter.com/RW6xXBdI4E
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 17, 2022
The Cougars previously rocked royal blue custom Cougar helmets during their home game against Arkansas in October.
BYU’s bowl game against SMU will start at 5:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ABC, sports.ksl.com, and KSL NewsRadio.
New Mexico Bowl Preview
The game marks the final game of the Independence era for BYU. After today, BYU will join the Big 12 Conference starting in 2023.
Both teams come into the New Mexico Bowl with 7-5 records. However, the big story around BYU is at quarterback. Fifth-year junior Jaren Hall is expected to be out, leaving an opening for a new face to emerge as the starting quarterback.
BYU has three players they are considering at quarterback. None of the three quarterbacks have played a snap this season. Those quarterbacks are Boise State transfer Cade Fennegan, Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters, and preferred walk-on Nick Billoups.
“All three guys can do things that are unique and may be different from each other. But we feel really good about all three guys,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake to KSL Sports. “I gave the challenge to (BYU offensive coordinator) A-Rod (Aaron Roderick) to just play the right guy at the right times. We have no tendencies right now with the three [quarterbacks], so just go out and have fun and see what we can do.”
Keep up-to-date with all the news and notes from #BYU vs. SMU in the New Mexico Bowl.#BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/FQ9RfRHjXq
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 17, 2022
On the opposite sideline, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai is preparing for his final game with the Mustangs. Mordecai, an Oklahoma transfer, is pursuing an NFL career after today’s game.
