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BYU players huddle together prior to game at Baylor, Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo
BYU opens spring practice Thursday, less than six weeks after receiving their No. 13 national ranking in the final AP Top 25 poll from 2024. Most of the 11-2 team is back, including quarterback Jake Retzlaff, receiver Chase Roberts, running back LJ Martin and the linebacker trio of Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker.
There is less mystery around the position groups as there has ever been and while that appears as an obvious strength, it can also create a challenge.
“I think the biggest thing that separated BYU last year from 2023 was how badly they wanted it. They were determined to prove everybody wrong,” Jeff Hansen, 247Sports.com and CougarInsider.com, told the “Y’s Guys” podcast this week. “How do you stay motivated when you were 11-2 and 13th in the country?”
Hansen believes the Cougars must focus on what they didn’t do, as opposed to what they did during their second season in the Big 12.
“I think the recipe is right there. You didn’t make it to the Big 12 championship game. You shouldn’t have ever been in the situation (where) you needed a tie-breaker rule. You had the opportunity there and it didn’t happen,” Hansen said. “You didn’t make the playoff. You were one of the first four out. If you are one of the first four out of the NCAA Tournament in basketball, that’s going to motivate you all offseason long.”
Stay hungry
Sitake played to BYU’s low expectations just as Beethoven directed a symphony. He hit the right notes with the right players at just the right time — and they responded by performing at a level that stunned the country, climbing as high as No. 7 in the polls.
“The biggest thing Kalani and this coaching staff have got to figure out is a way to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/recipe-byu-success-2025-stay-190000014.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2025-02-27 19:00:00
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