Men at work: BYU football believes workmanlike approach key for post-bye week success | News, Sports, Jobs

By Pune Media On Oct 7, 2024 29

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BYU football players warm up before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Aaron Cornia, BYU Photo

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BYU football players prepare to take the field before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive lineman Tyler Batty greets fans before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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: BYU football players warm up before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: BYU football players prepare to take the field before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

: BYU senior defensive lineman Tyler Batty greets fans before the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Bye weeks are great for a college football team when it comes to getting healthy, but they can also throw off a team’s rhythm.

BYU needs to look no further than 2023 to see that.

The Cougars had a solid 4-1 record that September with an SEC road win at Arkansas and a 1-0 record in the new Big 12 (beating Cincinnati at home) as they headed into a bye week in the first week of October.

Two weeks later, BYU took the field in Fort Worth and got hammered, 44-11, by TCU. The Cougars would only win one more game the rest of the season.

BYU also has another warning flag to worry about.

FOX Sports announced Monday that its Saturday show Big Noon Kickoff will be coming to Provo on Saturday prior to the game between the Cougars and Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium (2 p.m. MT, FOX).

The last time a similar show came to town was in 2009 when BYU hosted the Horned Frogs and ESPN’s College GameDay made the trip. TCU won that game as well, 38-7.

Maybe it’s good the Cougars aren’t playing the Horned Frogs this week.

So how is the 2024 BYU team planning to counter those concerns?

Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake said in Monday’s press teleconference that the key is focus, hard work and staying in the same routine.

“Our rhythm has been the same,” Sitake said. “It was a work week for us last week. The only difference is that we didn’t play a game. We try to find ways to get them in great shape, and also give them time to heal as well. Our preparation has been pretty good right now.”

He’s always going to celebrate the wins, but he’s determined to keep the BYU players from getting carried away.

“We are in the position that we thought we would be,” Sitake said. “I’m excited for the fans and our families. We are grateful to have FOX come in and experience BYU Football. It’s great for everybody, but we embrace it by going to work. We’ve done a great job with that so far every week, and I don’t see our mentality changing this week. This team is led by the players and I expect them to get it done. They can be distractions if you allow them to be.”

BYU junior wide receiver Keelan Marion said that the guys don’t talk much about last year but they are aware of how things fell apart after the bye week.

“We told ourselves we know what happened last year after the bye week, so we came in over the weekend and got our stuff done,” Marion said. “We went over some film and did everything we could to make sure we stayed on top of things for this weekend.”

He said that while they appreciate the national attention and having FOX Sports in town, the team is just going to go about its business and “pretend like they’re not there.”

That personifies the mentality that has become one of the hallmarks of Cougar football this year, one that is all about taking care of business.

“I think that’s been huge this year,” BYU senior defensive lineman Logan Lutui said. “We don’t look at any game as a big game because we approach each week as if that’s the biggest game of the year, and I think that’s something the coaches have been really dialed in on. I think it’s been a good focus for us this year and the team has been bought-in on it.”

Cougar senior defensive back Marque Collins joined the team this year, so he’s had a chance to see how that approach has been drilled into the players.

“I think it’s attention to detail every week, through every position group,” Collins said. “If we can take on the little things how we should, that gives us the best chance of having the season we want to have. It’s not always about the big things that everybody sees.”

His point is that BYU wants to make the most of every opportunity, which in turn will result in the increased attention.

“It’s not too much about Big Noon Kickoff, and it shouldn’t be,” Collins said. “I think that’s more for the fans. It’s great recognition, obviously, but we’re not too worried about it.”

Here is the complete release from BYU about FOX Sports’s Big Noon Kickoff coming to Provo:

“FOX Sports announced today that its popular national pregame television show Big Noon Kickoff will broadcast live from BYU on Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at 8 a.m. MDT. No. 14 BYU will host Arizona in the Cougars’ annual homecoming game at 2 p.m. MDT on FOX.

“Making its first-ever trip to the state of Utah, the two-hour Big Noon Kickoff pregame show and tailgate party will be held in the west parking lot of LaVell Edwards Stadium. Set at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Edwards Stadium is one of the most picturesque settings in college football.

“Big Noon Kickoff, hosted by Rob Stone along with analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn, provides a preview of the day’s top games live from college campuses across the nation. Saturday’s show will also include detailed analysis and coverage of the Big 12 matchup between BYU (5-0, 2-0) and Arizona (3-2, 1-1).

“‘We are excited to welcome FOX Big Noon Kickoff to Provo,’ said Tom Holmoe, BYU director of athletics. ‘It’s a great opportunity for BYU to showcase our football program, the ROC, Cougar Nation and the incredible atmosphere of football game day at LaVell Edwards Stadium. On behalf of BYU, I would like to thank FOX Sports as well as Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and his staff for this tremendous opportunity. We look forward to an exciting day of football.’

“Additional details about FOX Big Noon Kickoff at BYU will be announced during the week at byucougars.com and through BYU football social media channels.

“Cougar Nation is encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the tailgate festivities, including live music, interactive games and special guest appearances.”

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