Heckling BYU Fans Left Impression On USC QB Kedon Slovis
Jun 7, 2021, 12:50 PM | Updated: Dec 7, 2022, 3:28 pm
PROVO, Utah – A College Football gameday at BYU is far different than most programs around the country. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis can attest to that.
Slovis, a popular name linked to pre-season Heisman Watch lists for the 2021 seasons, hopped on the Momentum Podcast hosted by USC QB teammate Mo Hasan. One of the questions asked by the show’s producer was what type of experiences the guys have had with heckling.
BYU hecklers are RUTHLESS pic.twitter.com/EcRihqiHQN
— Momentum (@momentumpod) June 5, 2021
Slovis immediately brought up his experience in Provo in an overtime loss to BYU in 2019.
Kedon Slovis has memories from his visit to BYU
“My freshman year, we’re playing at BYU. The craziest thing to me – Provo is a weird place,” Slovis said.
One of the hosts, former Vanderbilt, and NFL wide receiver, Justice Shelton-Mosley, took offense to that commentary saying, “Dude, you guys gotta stop talking about Provo. Provo is dope. …I was fishing in lower Provo last month. Beautiful fly fishing places, but yeah, it’s great.”
We asked. You voted. 🗳
Here is the people’s choice for the best moment of Zach Wilson’s BYU career. ⬇️
2019 – Diving touchdown run in win vs. USC
📰: https://t.co/AEPFMgba32#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/NLE6adnjX6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 4, 2021
Slovis then continued his recollection of his experience at BYU, “But we go in and like, people are smiling, ‘Thank you for coming to play.’ And we’re like, ‘What?’ The people in the stadium are waiting there with like shower bag goodies for after your game. And I’m like, ‘What?’ They’re like, ‘I hope you enjoy. Good luck to you guys.'”
Man, this is classic. What Slovis experienced is likely the kindness of volunteers from BYU’s Student-Athlete Building. Postgame pizza or snacks for the opposing teams that have rolled through have been a staple at BYU sporting events for years. For those who aren’t used to the BYU experience, it definitely would come as a shock. I can’t imagine there are many programs giving postgame teams to opponents.
“They’re not drinking. I think that’s almost more intimidating.”
“Then keep in mind, they’re all Mormon, right,” asked Kedon Slovis. “So they’re not drinking. I think that’s almost more intimidating. Because you’re going in there and usually, kids or people are heckling you and you’re like, ‘alright, they’re just drunk.’ Every person in that stadium is sober heckling you. So then when they heckle at you or like they say stuff, and they’re like not cussing, they’re like, ‘Slovis you stink!'”
Apparently, the sober heckling worked as BYU upset No. 24 USC that day in 2019. Slovis tossed for 281 yards, two touchdowns and threw three interceptions, which included the game’s final play. An interception to former BYU DB Dayan Lake (Ghanwoloku).
BYU upsets USC at LaVell Edwards Stadium! pic.twitter.com/HFJmia4d58
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 14, 2019
“In the back of your mind, you’re like, ‘this dude is sober and he’s just heckling our entire sideline.’ And they’re ruthless. But in the back of your mind, you’re like, ‘they’re not even being drunk and stupid. They are heckling you for the sake of heckling you.'”
This is great content for later this fall when Slovis’ Trojans host BYU in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 27th, to close the 2021 regular season. The last time BYU traveled to Los Angeles to take on USC was in 2003 and the Cougars brought 20,000 fans with them.
Maybe Slovis will have to endure some kind heckling again from the BYU faithful.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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