SAN ANTONIO – BYU’s defense and special teams controlled the action from the opening whistle in a 36-14 win over the Colorado Buffaloes.

SPLASH ZONE. pic.twitter.com/DqlxjtOw4Z

– BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 29, 2024

Here are some immediate takeaways from BYU’s dominant win over Colorado in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.

BYU’s best performance of the season

In a week when everyone nationally focused on Colorado’s star power, BYU’s message was clear: They have players who can play.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said at the pep rally earlier this week that he couldn’t wait to “let them go.”

He wasn’t kidding.

BYU finished the 2024 season with its best game, performing at a high level in all three phases and posting one of the best wins of the Kalani-Sitake era.

During the ESPN broadcast, play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch said Jake Retzlaff will be one of the top five quarterbacks in college football next season.

This was the type of win that will generate more national attention and coverage for BYU football heading into the 2025 season.

Special teams were special

Kelly Poppinga deserves a season award for the way he coached BYU’s special teams in 2024.

They were outstanding again on Saturday night against Colorado.

BYU punt returner Parker Kingston scored a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown that extended BYU’s lead to 17-0 in the second quarter.

Then BYU’s kickoff unit converted a successful onside kick and Ethan Slade scored the equalizer.

Kingston had more than 100 yards on punt returns against the Buffs.

A pleasant surprise was Enoch Nawahine, who had strong runs in the kick return game as Colorado tried to avoid All-American returner Keelan Marion.

BYU’s physicality set the tone

Both teams were motivated to win this game. This wasn’t a typical bowl game where one of the teams was disinterested and didn’t want to be a part of it.

With full squads, physicality would be a crucial factor in the game. That’s why it was crucial to find out who could call the shots when it came to physicality.

It was clear from the opening game that it was BYU.

BYU’s defense played fast and struck, signaling that Colorado’s offense would feel them all night long.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders spoke highly of the BYU defense all week, saying it takes a lot of problem-solving to attack the BYU defense.

BYU limited Travis Hunter’s impact

Travis Hunter’s speed and talent are undeniable. However, BYU has done a good job of limiting its impact.

Other than two balls of 58 and 43 yards, Hunter was held in check. The 43-yarder actually put Colorado on the field in the third quarter.

However, there were other deep ball attempts where BYU was able to cover Hunter and prevent him from starting the play.

When Hunter was on defense, BYU didn’t often target in his direction.

The win over Colorado was BYU’s first victory over a team that featured a Heisman Trophy winner this season. Previously, BYU was 0-3 (Matt Leinart, Chris Weinke, Herschel Walker).

Aaron Roderick and Jay Hill negotiated

BYU’s coordinators had one day.

Defensive coordinator Jay Hill was excited for the match all week. He had a good feeling that his group would come. And that’s what BYU’s defense has done most of this season.

So it was no surprise that BYU’s defense played well. But seeing Colorado’s high-powered offense dominate in such a manner probably surprised many.

Then offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick deserves his flowers.

He has received a lot of criticism from fans and outside experts. But Saturday night at the Alamodome was one of his best play-calling games as BYU’s offensive coordinator.

There were some play calls that he would probably like to have back. But the creativity, the balance, everything was there. Colorado’s defense had no answer for how to stop BYU.

The new trick of using Gerry Bohanon in the QB run game was a stroke of genius and surprised everyone.

It was the type of game that should silence many critics as BYU heads into an exciting offseason.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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