PROVO, Utah – BYU football takes on the Sam Houston Bearkats from Conference USA to kick off their Big 12 era. It should be a historic moment in the pregame as BYU gets ready to line up as a power conference team for the first time in their history.
Last season, BYU finished 8-5 in their final year of Independence. They capped off the year with a win in the New Mexico Bowl over future ACC member SMU.
#BYU vs. Sam Houston preview with @baiamontematt. 🏈 #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/rIK4yFyBLD
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2023
But trying to pull common threads from last year’s BYU team to the 2023 squad might be hard to find.
BYU has nearly 60 players that were not on last year’s roster. A significant portion of those players are from the transfer portal. Others are true freshmen. Some are returned missionaries after two-year missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sam Houston brings back 16 starters from last year’s 5-4 team, where many veteran players redshirt to have a chance to play for the Bearkats as an FBS team.
Tonight’s matchup is the first matchup between the two programs. BYU is paying Sam Houston $1.2 million to visit Provo for a one-time game. The Bearkats replaced Tennessee, who bought out of the game from BYU.
Kickoff for BYU/Sam Houston is at 8:15 p.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on FS1 and broadcast on radio at KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM).
BYU vs. Sam Houston Game Day Reading
Live updates from inside LaVell Edwards Stadium
The KSL Sports team is on location at LaVell Edwards Stadium for BYU/Sam Houston. Keep checking back here for updates throughout the game.
Pregame
#BYU football’s Big 12 era is here. pic.twitter.com/6Bp1HScSPg
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 2, 2023
#BYU puts a Sione Veikoso jersey in the south endzone below The ROC.
Veikoso tragically passed away in a construction accident in December.#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/vOJzK87p4p
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 2, 2023
#BYU has a field sponsor this season, PACS.
Providence Administrative Consulting Services#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/vVgfPTUUBx
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 2, 2023
Let’s go 🤙 #BYUFootball #GoCougs #Big12 pic.twitter.com/liQM29I0ra
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 2, 2023
Jay Hill told @kslsports a few weeks ago that Ena would be joined by a few defensive graduate assistants in the booth.#BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
First #BYU players on the field for pregame warmups:
– Connor Pay
– Jake Retzlaff#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
First Cougar Walk of the @Big12Conference era 🤙 pic.twitter.com/Dltz5ttQtd
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Cougar Walk 🔵 pic.twitter.com/1Ta71yeWJI
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
First game as #BYU Defensive Coordinator for @CoachJayHill.#GoCougs #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/QaeNgmkvsO
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
QB1 🤙 @Kedonslovis #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/MfJxsGOpnN
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Kalani going through security 😂 pic.twitter.com/Va80DEZfr1
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
A great moment to get us started 💙 pic.twitter.com/eoTXFkL6T4
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
find us a coach with more swag. we’ll wait. pic.twitter.com/T4bYVc1HQY
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Bodie Schoonover is in pregame warmups with the tight ends. pic.twitter.com/0WSGC3oz3u
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU WRs Keanu Hill and Kody Epps have been going through pregame warmups.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU coach Kalani Sitake told @gregwrubell in the #BYU Sports Network pregame (heard on @kslnewsradio) that DB Micah Harper recently had “successful surgery” on his injured ACL.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Let’s go to work. pic.twitter.com/9yyjso1Ml5
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Coming out of fall camp, #BYU WR Kody Epps was dealing with a hamstring injury that had him sidelined during practices. He continues to go through warmups.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
pregame 📸📸 pic.twitter.com/3oKkp378P0
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Top four safeties for #BYU vs. Sam Houston:
– Malik Moore
– Ethan Slade
– Preston Rex
– Tanner Wall#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
The sights and sounds of college football. There’s nothing better. #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/aopNtGvi9C
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
Big 12 Conference message to fans attending LES pic.twitter.com/Uos8YRDqCg
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
An absolute gorgeous night for some #BYU 🏈 #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/cUVBW164GX
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
these unis tho 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aKW6Tt52fa
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
#BYU‘s starting offensive line for Week 1 goes as expected from the early outlook in the spring:
LT – Kingsley Suamataia
LG – Weylin Lapuaho
C – Paul Maile
RG – Connor Pay
RT – Caleb Etienne#BYUFootball https://t.co/PjqQA4A1Mc— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Rams WR, and former Cougar, Puka Nacua is on hand to see #BYU play their first game as a member of the #Big12 #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/2jUIb9aW6k
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
#BYU Alumni Flag Bearers for tonight’s game against Sam Houston
– Devin Mahina, TE
– Paul Shoemaker, QB
– TJ Sitake, DE#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
it’s about that time y’all 😤 pic.twitter.com/5PqiFFiI7I
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
The @byuROC lookin’ real nice. pic.twitter.com/KcPu0Nuy4s
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
The POWER of the Wasatch. #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/an5O6nGdPI
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
Remembering and honoring our brother, Sione Veikoso. 💙 pic.twitter.com/XdxjwH3la3
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Stripe the stadium 🟦 ⚪️ #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/0FMMWf1Zpq
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Tonight’s intro had LES BUMPIN’ 🔥
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
The 2023 BYU Football season is set to begin with BYU and Sam Houston kicking off at 8:20 MT. Follow here for news, notes and milestones. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
QB1 Kedon Slovis leading the #BYU Cougars into a new era of #Big12 🏈 #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/aE4HD4Okme
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
#BYU is playing Kanye West’s “Power” again in the pregame. ROC swaying back and forth. Banned it last season.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia runs out a flag in honor of Sione Veikoso. 💙 #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/9xNYKltYyM
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
#BYU 🏈 as a power conference member. It’s here. #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/lcK2rOXbDU
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
Chills. LET’S GET IT STARTED!! pic.twitter.com/5OEwsIjV3U
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
First Half
First Quarter
When I asked Batty in my weekly interview on Cougar Tracks, he grinned from ear to ear about how this defense would highlight the defensive ends.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
10.5 career sacks now for DE Tyler Batty. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
Hold on … a #BYU sack?!?
Captain @Tyler_Batty2 pic.twitter.com/PAMJeA6eX7
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Petros Papadakis during the Fox broadcast: “I can’t think of a better man to coach BYU football than Kalani Sitake. … What a coach.”#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
KEDON KEEPS IT FOR THE TUDDY!!!! pic.twitter.com/sPZmyKg0jO
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Whoa! Kedon Slovis scores the first rushing touchdown of his college career.
Opening drive as a Cougar is a memorable one.#BYUFootball #BYU
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
I did not expect Slovis with rushing TD to start the 2023 season.
Awesome opening drive for #BYU 🏈 @kslsports
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
Kedon Slovis showed some wheels occasionally in spring practice. He had a big TD run, but that’s not typically his game to run.
Solid first impression in front of #BYU fans.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
QB Kedon Slovis with the first BYU TD of the year on a 6-yard run. His first rushing TD in college comes in his first attempt as a Cougar. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
Touchdown … RUN from Kedon Slovis#GoCougs #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/nHV4M6eBk6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
OKAY, @Kedonslovis. 👀
QB1 shows off his wheels and scores @BYUfootball‘s first touchdown of 2023. 🤙#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/y1RVJdmbme
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
first touchdown of the BIG 12 era 😤
📺 @FS1 / @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/jmWc0o9fim
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Only 3 BYU quarterbacks have thrown for over 10,000 yards.
Ty Detmer: 15,031
Max Hall: 11,365
John Beck: 11,021#BYUFootball— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
.@Kedonslovis does it himself 💪
First TD of the Big 12 era for @BYUfootball!
| 📺 @FS1 | pic.twitter.com/BR2bisRpXK
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 3, 2023
Beautiful. https://t.co/9XuC9jKBs5 pic.twitter.com/oOBQ87yQHe
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
#BYU QB Kedon Slovis first TD with the Cougars comes on his legs.#BYUFootball l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/J2tijTSHCX
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) September 3, 2023
Cougs score their first TD of the season on a 5YD @Kedonslovis run.
BYU 7 – SHSU 0 | 10:39 1Q
📺 @FS1 / @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Y2Tyd2isDr
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
What a grab by Darius Lassiter. A lot of snaps early on for the two new transfer portal receivers.#BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣@Kedonslovis reaches career passing yards milestone.#BYUFootball #GoCougs
📸: BYU Photo pic.twitter.com/RPo9OY0dI7
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Congrats to our guy @Kedonslovis on hitting 10,000 collegiate passing yards!! pic.twitter.com/uUhKTC5NHi
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Welcome home @AsapPuka!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/VfSHxWGwcw
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
#BYU offense goes for it on 4th down from the SHSU 32 and it results in a PBU for the Bearkats. The pass was intended for Keelan Marion. #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Seeing some rotation along the defensive line.#BYU DE coach Kelly Poppinga said Blake Mangelson might be the most physical DE in the program this season.
Let’s see what type of jump he makes this season.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
AJ Vongphachanh is a violent tackler. #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Cosmo and the Cougarettes are Big 12 ready 🕺 💃 pic.twitter.com/6M4j2JoAU1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Great debut for this new #BYU defense under Jay Hill.
After 1st Q:
15 yards allowed
3 rush yards allowed
Sam Houston 0-4 on third down. #BYUFootball @kslsports— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
BYU – 7
Sam Houston – 0🔘⚪️⚪️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/tutfhswb7e
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
we’re just gettin’ started pic.twitter.com/ePMW2JqcHX
— Cosmo Cougar (@byu_cosmo) September 3, 2023
Second Quarter
Isaac Rex called for an ineligible receiver downfield penalty. Results in a loss of down. Ends #BYU‘s drive.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
JUCO transfer David Latu appears set to make his #BYU debut at DT after the timeout.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU offense scored on the first possession of the game with a 50 yard drive.
They’ve had 46 yards of offense since.
Too many penalties to sustain drives. #BYUFootball
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
All these 3rd down stops. Jay Hill’s defense is looking strong so far in his #BYU debut.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU‘s offense has come to a screeching halt.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU freshman defensive back Marcus McKenzie showing off that elite speed on special teams as a gunner.
Jay Hill is bullish on the potential of McKenzie at cornerback in the future.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Eddie Heckard playing a lot of nickel tonight. Anchored that spot a lot in fall camp.
Kamden Garrett and Jakob Robinson at cornerback. #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
.@FS1 shared a graphic of “appetizing names,” including one Cougars’ name, during @BYUfootball‘s season opener. 🍚 😂#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/Y1Rfpq5cAH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
Marcus McKenzie is once again the first guy down field on a Ryan Rehkow punt.#BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Whoa that was a massive 65 yard punt from Ryan Rehkow!
Penalty on Sam Houston has them pinned inside the 5. #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
Ray Guy Award candidate punter Ryan Rehkow with a 65-yard punt. Last season Rehkow had long punts of 71, 67 and 61 yards. He is averaging 50.5 on 4 punts tonight. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
#BYU offensive line got a taste of Meatball on that last possession. Bearkats defensive line is getting to Slovis.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Some boos from #BYU fans after the Delay of Game call.
BYU’s offense struggling mightily.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
HALFTIME
BYU – 7
Sam Houston – 0🔘🔘⚪️⚪️
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2023
On top at the half. pic.twitter.com/liHOQlDf3k
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
#BYU paid Sam Houston $1.2 million to play this game after Tennessee canceled on the Cougars.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Halftime stats: pic.twitter.com/GECs7hWtBi
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
……. pic.twitter.com/GmNET3ohc5
— The ROC (@byuROC) September 3, 2023
#BYU First Half Stats against Sam Houston
Total Yards: 116
Passing: 84
Rush: 32
Penalties: 5-30
1st Downs: 6
3rd Downs: 2-8
4th Down: 0-1
Avg Yds/Play: 3.7
Total Plays: 31#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
#BYU‘s defensive leaders at the Half against Sam Houston
Ben Bywater & Max Tooley – 6 tackles
AJ Vongphachanh – 3
Tyler Batty – 1 sack#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Second Half
Third Quarter
Coming out of halftime, before running a play from scrimmage, #BYU burns a timeout to begin the third quarter.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Disaster of a drive for #BYU to open the third quarter.
– Burns a timeout before running a play
– Personal foul penalty negates a first down conversion
– BYU appeared to run a fake punt on 4th & 6 from their own 25.#BYUFootball— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Kalani Sitake is livid with the officials after the PI call on Kamden Garrett.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
CB Jakob Robinson with his 5th INT of his career. Had one last season and three in 2021. #BYUFootball
— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 3, 2023
Jakob Robinson comes up with a huge interception for #BYU.
He rises up to get that one.
BYU desperately needed that. Fifth career interception for Robinson.#BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2023
Jakob Robinson with a huge interception in the end zone to keep Sam Houston scoreless.
Perhaps this is the momentum shifter that can spark the #BYU offense. #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) September 3, 2023
HUUUUUUUUGE INT @jakobrobinson87 pic.twitter.com/XStussy2kZ
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 3, 2023
Fourth Quarter
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X (Twitter) and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.
