BYU Football Runs Past Southern Illinois Salukis In Season Opener
Aug 31, 2024, 9:10 AM | Updated: 9:14 pm
BYU defense harasses the Southern Illinois quarterback in the first half on Saturday, August 31.
PROVO, Utah— Jake Retzlaff was great, Cougar RBs combined for three TDs, and the defense was dominant in a statement win for BYU over Southern Illinois.
The Cougars opened the 2024 season with a 41-13 win over the SIU.
BYU is entering its second season as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Southern Illinois is coming off an eight-win season a year ago as a Missouri Valley Football Conference member.
The big news on Saturday was the status of BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Hill suffered a heart attack on Thursday. However, he is feeling better.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, a former defensive coordinator at Utah and Oregon State, will call the defense tonight in place of Hill.
He also called BYU’s defense during the 2022 season.
RELATED STORIES
Pregame
College Football season is a busy time for me on the radio with @kslsports.
Here's a thread on how and where to listen to my #BYU and Big 12 coverage this season, along with links to each show's podcast feed. 🧵#BYUFootball #Big12 pic.twitter.com/KW6uhgICBp
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 23, 2024
Southern Illinois will start Murray State transfer DJ Williams at quarterback.
Earlier in the week, #BYU safety Tanner Wall said that was the quarterback BYU's defense expected to get the start.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2024
Hinckley Folau Ropati will get the start tonight at running back for #BYU. LJ Martin is going through warmups and appears to be the No. 2 running back.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2024
#BYU’s Jake Retzlaff announced as the starter to fans inside LES.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/wu7DR4u4iQ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2024
Cougars welcome back #BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill ahead of tonight's @BYUfootball season opener#GoCougs | #BYUvSIUhttps://t.co/PXAocbbFaV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
First Quarter
#BYU's defense holds Southern Illinois to a three-and-out on the first drive.
Jack Kelly with a big tackle to get the Cougars off the field.#BYUFootball #GoCougs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Close call on the first drive for Retzlaff. https://t.co/grMUdnGa46
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
First #BYU TD of the season goes to Hinckley Ropati!#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/WkkirV7bEL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Hickley Ropati gives #BYUFootball a 7-0 lead with rushing score on first drive of the season.#GoCougs #BYUvSIUhttps://t.co/CJde7tZhdv
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Jake Retzlaff completes a 57-yard TD to Jojo Phillips. 😮 #BYU is rolling.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/0z0EpdhQa4
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
A Jake Retzlaff 💣 to Jojo Phillips gives #BYUFootball a 2⃣ TD lead#GoCougs | #BYUvSIUhttps://t.co/YGpesM3wwj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
BYU – 14
Southern Illinois – 0End of 1Q pic.twitter.com/JeACTc4Ug0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Second Quarter
#BYU honors their 2024 Olympians. Including silver medalist Kenneth Rooks. 🥈 #KSLOlympics pic.twitter.com/0c2CeU0pcq
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
#BYUFootball fans 😡 after broadcast snafu with #ESPN#GoCougs #BYUvSIUhttps://t.co/RerZEbsJbt
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
#BYU FANS GET FREE CHICKEN!
Missed PAT results in free Chick-Fil-A for the fans.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
Honoring the @BYUTFXC #2024Paris Olympians during the #BYUvSIU game#GoCougs #BYUFootball https://t.co/FP1ntt9lgx
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Will Ferrin hits from 50 to end the half!! pic.twitter.com/qGhDk7V2Qv
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 1, 2024
#BYU goes into the half after Will Ferrin boots a 50-yard field goal.
Cougs lead 17-6.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/1NE2WirR7b
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Halftime Update from @Mitch_Harper #BYU leads Southern Illinois 17-6 at the break.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/cW1DK07von
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Third Quarter
Jake Retzlaff: 1st Half
10-17
188 yards
1 TD
0 INT
59% completion
171.1 QBR
4 "BIG" plays (24, 57, 36, 18)#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/nDqGYKefPK— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
Jake Retzlaff to Keelan Marion for a gain of 52 yards. Another explosive play through the air.#BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
LJ Martin: TD grab! 🤙 #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/mnI1onVX2a
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Jake Retzlaff leading #BYUFootball to big lead over Southern Illinois 😎🔥🔥🔥#GoCougs https://t.co/z722YLvvsV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Former #BYUCougar Zach Wilson on the sidelines at #BYUvSIU game.#GoCougs @Broncos https://t.co/TQzS0Fp9Fj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
#BYU's first punt of the season goes to Pitt transfer Sam Van Der Haar—solid punt to put the Salukis at their own 11.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
#BYU’s field looks a lot brighter with the new LED lights.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/TrKrb71Cfn
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
#BYU's official attendance for tonight's game against Southern Illinois is 63,712.
The new capacity at LES is 62,073.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
BYU – 31
Southern Illinois – 13End of 3rd Quarter pic.twitter.com/OmFap6yGYF
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Fourth Quarter
#BYU’s 4th Quarter “Turbulence” gets a new look with the LED lights. 💡 🔵 #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/WeXi4CedJ1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2024
Jake Retzlaff's night is over.
20-30
348 yards
3 TDs
0 INT
67% completion rate
197.1 Rating#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/NCobTCvUDt— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
400-yard games for #BYU in 2023: 0
It only took one game in 2024 to reach the 400-yard mark.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
Gerry Bohanon is in at quarterback to finish off the blowout victory.#BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
Some young #BYU defenders getting game snaps late in this game.
– Faletau Satuala
– Jonathan Kabeya
– Koa Eldredge
– Orion Maile-Kaufusi
– John Taumoepeau#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2024
BYU vs. Southern Illinois Gameday Stories
- Score prediction for today’s game
- BYU fans: “What to wear” on gameday
- BYU football coaches find benefits from new sideline technology for 2024 season.
- Week One: Big 12 football picks
- BYU’s 1974 Fiesta Bowl team will be honored before the SIU game.
- Aaron Roderick says BYU has a “clear-cut” starter at quarterback.
- EA Sports College Football 25 video game simulation of the Cougars and Salukis.
- 10 BYU football players we are interested to see in game action.
- BYU’s Fall Camp MVPs, as selected by the coaching staff.
- BYU doesn’t have to change the offense between QBs Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon.
- BYU’s four captains for the 2024 season.
- Depth chart for BYU’s season opener against the Salukis.
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.
