September 28, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) seems to be to throw the ball in the course of the second half towards the Baylor Bears at McLean Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Chris Jones-Imagn Pictures Arizona State coach Brent Brennan and BYU coach Kalani Sitake when the Wildcats and No. 14 Cougars conflict in Provo, Utah, on Saturday No introduction is required.
The 2 have a long-standing friendship and have been a part of OSU’s teaching workers collectively in 2015, Sitake’s solely season with the Beavers.
“I really like Brent Brennan, man,” Sitake mentioned. “I’ve a whole lot of respect for him as a coach and as an individual.”
Brennan and Sitake coached collectively again in 2017, when Sitake led his Cougars to a 41-20 victory over San Jose State, and Brennan coached San Jose State from 2017-23. Nonetheless, the stakes can be greater on Saturday towards BYU (5-0, 2-0 Massive 12), who can have their sights set on a convention title.
In the meantime, the Wildcats (3-2, 1-1) have some work to do within the Massive 12 standings after shedding 28-22 to Texas Tech on Saturday. Arizona generated some momentum per week in the past with a 23-10 win over then-No. 1 crew. 10 Utah.
The Wildcats restricted Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton to 17 of 29 passes for 214 yards towards the Pink Raiders. Morton additionally didn’t throw a landing go.
However Arizona will face a more durable problem on Saturday with Jake Retzlaff underneath middle for the Cougars. Retzlaff is tied for 18th amongst FBS groups in landing passes (12), most not too long ago with a three-pointer in a 34-28 win over Baylor on Sept. 28.
Retzlaff accomplished 18 of 32 passes for 218 yards and was changed twice towards the Bears.
“Offensively, I believe (Retzlaff) is admittedly beginning to come into his personal,” Sitake mentioned. “So I really feel very snug with the whole lot, the timing of all of this. He can get higher. However I like the place he’s proper now. I like his mentality. I look ahead to seeing him do nice issues.”
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 301 yards towards Texas Tech, however he tried 49 passes and accomplished 28 with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
“I really feel like each time we’re going good, I make one or two errors that form of stall the crew,” Fifita mentioned of the loss to the Pink Raiders. “So, I take full accountability.”
BYU’s go protection ranks twenty fourth nationally, permitting 171.0 yards via the air per recreation. The Cougars additionally had seven interceptions, tied for thirteenth nationally.
Arizona needed to accept six subject objective makes an attempt from Tyler Loup as Fifita struggled to finish possessions in the long run zone towards Texas Tech. With 5 of these kicks, Lupp set a single-game document.
Though the Wildcats struggled to profit from their possibilities of their final assembly, Sitake knew how harmful they have been.
“Arizona has a ton of expertise. They’ve an amazing quarterback and a really robust operating recreation,” Sitake mentioned. “The protection additionally is aware of the right way to make performs and drive turnovers. We expect this matchup will get the perfect out of us.
“Going into Provo, they’ll see an thrilling house subject, however we won’t take a look at that as the one benefit we are able to depend on. I am enthusiastic about the way in which our crew labored final week. I am enthusiastic about what we achieved. Excited concerning the progress made.
–Scene-level media
