Five storylines ahead of Arizona's quick return to the Beehive State — this time in Provo, Utah, for an afternoon affair against No. 14 BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
PROVO, Utah — Barring a multiple-overtime thriller, the lights at LaVell Edwards Stadium won't turn on for the Arizona-BYU game. Saturday will be the first true day game for Arizona this season, with another one coming up next week against Colorado in Tucson.
If UA head coach Brent Brennan had a say in it, all of the Wildcats' games would kick off under the sun.
"I like getting up and playing," Brennan said. "I prefer that instead of just waiting all day. It's hard. I feel like with TV, most of our games are played at night. My last three stops as a coach have all had night games, because of television and being on the west coast. Whenever it is, we'll be excited to play."
Arizona coach Brent Brennan gets excited as the Wildcats score a touchdown and get back into the game in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech on Oct. 5 at Arizona Stadium.
A day game bodes well for Arizona's chances, as the Wildcats enter Saturday as a 3.5-point underdog. Since 2019, in vampire-esque fashion, BYU has a 30-5 record in games that kick off past 6 p.m. In games before 6 p.m., the nocturnal Cougars are 16-16.
BYU is also hosting "Big Noon Kickoff," a national show on Fox that travels around the country to feature notable games for the week. Hosted by Rob Stone, Big Noon Kickoff's panel includes Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn, Chris "Bear" Fallica and Tom Rinaldi.
From right to left, co-hosts Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and Rob Stone attend a rehearsal for the Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" football show Sept. 16, 2022, at University of Nebraska Union, in Lincoln, Neb.
Big Noon Kickoff will broadcast from the west parking lot of LaVell Edwards Stadium at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The two-hour show will air from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Arizona time) on Fox.
“I am glad that there is a lot of attention and that we are having Fox come in and be a part of the festivities, because I want to show off our fans," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said.
It's the first time BYU is hosting a national college football show since 2009, when ESPN's College GameDay came to Provo. Arizona has itself hosted College GameDay twice — in 2009 and '15 — but hasn't yet been a visitor for a Saturday morning national college football show.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan is all smiles as his team upsets Utah on Saturday in Salt Lake City. The Wildcats improved to 3-1 on the year, and 1-0 in Big 12 play.
The spotlight on Arizona-BYU from Fox doesn't add pressure to the Wildcats, "because I feel like we're on national TV a lot," Brennan said.
"That would've been a big deal when I played. Now everyone is on TV every week. It's such a different world," he said. "I think it's a really cool thing. Obviously our team is aware that we're playing an undefeated team that's nationally ranked in one of the most hostile environments in college football. They're well aware of that."
Doost giving UA's O-Line a boost
Arizona redshirt freshman Alexander Doost was primarily used as the additional offensive lineman in the Wildcats' jumbo package used on short-yardage runs until he was inserted in the starting lineup at right guard over Ryan Stewart and the injured Leif Magnuson in the UA's upset win over No. 10 Utah.
Doost, a 6-7, 332-pound redshirt freshman from Phoenix, helped Arizona to not surrender any sacks to a Utah defensive front that is one of top pass-rushing units in the Big 12.
"We were so proud of him," Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said of Doost. "I had this awesome moment walking out of the tunnel with him after the game, and you can just see how proud he was of himself and how he played. We’re all really excited about that. I thought our offensive line was excellent.
Doost
"To give up no sacks against that group? Year in and year out, that’s one of the best defensive fronts in the country every year, fantastically coached. To go into their place and give up zero sacks, I think it’s an incredible performance by all those guys.”
The start "meant a lot to me," Doost said. "I had a chance to help my brothers step up for the team when they needed it. It felt really good."
Added right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea: "Man, I'm happy for him. I could tell prior to the game, he was really locked in. I just told him before the game, 'Don't make this moment too big.' I could see it in his face, he was so confident going into the game. As the game went on, it was easy for him."
Since transferring from Northwestern in December as part of the transfer portal class that signed with former UA head coach Jedd Fisch, Doost, who played tackle at Northwestern, said his strength and physicality have been the most notable improvements.
"Before, I was hesitant with my game," he said. "But as I've gotten more comfortable, especially since I've gotten snaps, I'm more sure about what I'm doing."
Fortunately for Doost, he's starting in between multi-year starters in Savaiinaea and center Josh Baker, the "quarterback of the front, directing traffic all the time," Brennan said.
"Those two are another reason why I've had a lot of improvement," said Doost. "They help me a lot, especially during the game with calls and stuff. I was pretty nervous my first game and they gave me advice, helped me chill out and make the right decisions."
Baker and Savaiinaea, "those two guys, because they played so much football, are great guys for him to lean on," said the Arizona coach.
As Doost continues to start at right guard this season, "I'm really excited about his process," Brennan said. "He's obviously a really good kid and an extremely hard worker. We've all seen him grow really fast in those reps he's getting in the game."
BYU running back Enoch Nawahine leaps through the Baylor defense in the first half Saturday. The Cougars are a surprising 5-0.
Getting to know BYU
Greg Wrubell, longtime voice of BYU, joined ESPN Tucson's "Spears and Ali" this week to provide some insight on the Cougars. Here are three questions Wrubell answered:
Considering BYU was voted 13th in the (Big 12's) preseason media poll (out of 16 teams), have the Cougars exceeded your expectations this season?
A: "Last year, BYU was picked third-from-the-bottom; this year, they were picked fourth-from-the-bottom in a 16-team league. The rationales were different in both seasons. Last year, there was an element of the unknown. BYU came from independence into a power conference in football.
"There were enough unknowns to put BYU down to 11th, and they pretty much performed where they were expected to finish.
"This year, they were voted in a similar place, but the rationale was people did know what BYU was about and who this team was, and these were the struggles in power-conference football.
"But there was a potential to be better, because it was going to be the second year with (defensive coordinator Jay Hill), the quarterback (Jake Retzlaff) was going to return, the people at wide receiver, running back and tight end would be back. This was a 5-2 team at one point. There were some positive things there.
"They weren't that far from a bowl game, yet they didn't play in the postseason.
"So far, so good, but it's two games into a nine-game conference schedule. Still haven't taken a (loss), which is what you want to do this time of year. Good feelings in Provo knowing how dangerous Arizona can be. The fact Arizona went into Salt Lake City is pretty much all you need to know about Arizona's team. Went in and beat Utah, which doesn't usually lose those type of games at night. That's enough of an attention-getter. Despite the loss to Texas Tech, Arizona has the full attention (of BYU) and have shown enough what type of team they can be."
BYU has the third-best defense in the Big 12 right now and allows just under 16 points per game. What makes the Cougars stand out on that side of the ball?
A: "The team has a true defensive identity right now. The linebacking core is where it happens. They've been relatively healthy and have played a majority of the snaps together this year. Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker have been the strength of this defense.
"Playing behind them is a secondary that I think is as good as I've seen at BYU. The passing efficiency on defense is fifth nationally and that's not what you normally see out of a BYU defense, but they are that good against the pass right now. As much as I love the linebacking corps — and they've been great, that secondary allows them to do some things.
"You'll see a 3-3-5, a 4-2-5 defense and a lot of nickel defense from BYU. Up front, Tyler Batty is an edge rusher that when he gets home, you really know it. He can really level a guy. I think Tyler's game is coming around lately."
What is a home game like at LaVell Edwards Stadium?
A: "The fan experience department at BYU does an amazing job. All game long, it feels like a party. It has a different vibe at night than the day time. BYU has developed a reputation nationally for those Saturday night, Friday night and late-night kickoffs.
"There's an actual competitive advantage on those night kicks, because of how LaVell Edwards Stadium gets.
"It's as picturesque of a place as you can play in college football. I think the afternoon kickoff will showcase the beauty of LaVell Edwards Stadium.
"Different feel in the day time, but the crowd will be loud and will be an advantage when it's needed."
A crowd holds Brigham Young head coach Kalani Sitake after his team defeated Utah in the “Holy War” rivalry game in 2021.
Frenemies: Brennan and Sitake
When Brent Brennan and Kalani Sitake aren't coaching each other, "we're really good friends," said the BYU coach.
"I love Brent Brennan, man," Sitake said. "I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and a person. ... We keep in touch quite often. Obviously, not as much now, especially now that we’re playing against each other.”
There was a time when Brennan and Sitake shared the same sideline, when they were assistants for former Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen in 2015. Sitake was the Beavers' defensive coordinator for one season, before taking the BYU head coaching job. Brennan, who was hired by former OSU head coach Mike Riley, coached wide receivers at Oregon State from 2011-16 until he became San Jose State's head coach in 2017.
When Sitake and Brennan lived in Corvallis, Oregon, they lived in the same neighborhood and their children became friends.
"He's one of my favorite people on the planet," Brennan said. "He's an incredible human being, a great father, great husband and great football coach. It was so fun, because our kids would run around the neighborhood.
"It was great. They'd show up at their house for dinner and then they'd send the whole crew to our house for ice cream," Brennan added. "Just fantastic people."
This is the second time Brennan and Sitake have coached against each other. BYU beat Brennan's San Jose State team 41-20 in 2017.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) celebrates with fans after the Cougars’ win over Baylor on Sept. 28 in Waco, Texas.
BYU's LDS presence bolsters QB Retzlaff, who is Jewish
The only Jewish quarterback starting at the Division 1 level, according to CBS Sports, is a co-captain for the only college football team embedded in the Latter-day Saints faith.
BYU redshirt junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff has led the Cougars' offense with 1,208 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Retzlaff also leads BYU in rushing with 156 yards and a touchdown.
Retzlaff played at Centennial High School in Corona, California, where he was teammates with Arizona wide receiver Malachi Riley, then played at Riverside Community College and Golden West Community College in Southern California. Retzlaff transferred to BYU last season and was the backup to Kedon Slovis, but an injury led Retzlaff to starting the final three games of the season.
Although BYU added former South Florida and Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon through the transfer portal, Retzlaff won the starting job in training camp.
Since joining BYU, Retzlaff "didn't realize is how much the (Mormon) faith would actually benefit me," he told CBS Sports.
"I thought it was just something that would be lingering around, but how much it benefited me is something that was ... a great surprise that I got to really embrace when I got to BYU," Retzlaff said. "It just allows you to become stronger and grow in your faith."
Though Saturday is Yom Kippur (or day of atonement), also considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism, Retzlaff will play against Arizona.
