PROVO, Utah – BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake held the first of his weekly press conferences for the 2024 season.
Sitake spoke to the media virtually via Zoom. The 2024 season marks the fifth consecutive year that BYU has opted for a virtual press conference with its head coach.
Sitake spent nearly 17 minutes with the media in preparation for Saturday’s season opener against Southern Illinois.
Here are five key things we learned from Sitake’s press conference.
Before the BYU/Southern Illinois game, the starting quarterback was not announced
BYU’s depth chart for Southern Illinois week showed an OR between Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon at the quarterback position. Retzlaff was listed as the first quarterback, Bohanon as the second, and an -OR- between their names.
Sitake confirmed that BYU will not announce its starting quarterback until Saturday when the offense takes its first snap against the Salukis.
When asked by KSL Sports if it was intentional to wait until game day to name the starter, Sitake denied that this was not the case.
Kalani Sitake on the #BYU Quarterback situation entering Southern Illinois week: “You guys know the lineup. We’re just not ready to tell everyone the game plan yet.”#BYUFootball
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) 26 August 2024
“It wasn’t all planned that way. We decided we didn’t have to. I think we’re trying to respect the process of everything. We see that we’re in a really good position and we have two really good quarterbacks,” Sitake said. “Honestly, all of our quarterbacks are really good. We just want to go out there and play the game. You’ll see. I don’t think you need all the answers right now. You’ll get them when they come.”
During the last three media monitoring periods of fall camp, Retzlaff became increasingly important for the starting quarterback position due to the precision of his passes.
It’s important to note that Southern Illinois has not yet publicly announced its starting quarterback. The Salukis have made a decision between returning letterman Hunter Simmons and Murray State transfer DJ Williams.
If the Salukis don’t announce it, BYU may expect them to do the same.
BYU Football does not rule out the possibility of two QBs against Southern Illinois
BYU’s quarterback unit still has a lot to prove after fall camp. Retzlaff and Bohanon will be needed at different points this season.
Sitake did not rule out the possibility of both playing on Saturday, but he reiterated his belief that both quarterbacks can lead BYU to victory.
“I think we have a lot of different things going on. We have a lot of options and the goal is to win,” Sitake said. “I can’t tell you on Monday how that’s going to go. But we know we can win with more than one person at quarterback. We have several that can play and we can get wins with them.”
Clarification of the -OR- at wide receiver between Chase Roberts and Jojo Phillips
In the final month of last season, an OR was listed alongside Chase Roberts. The other wide receiver competing with him was Jojo Phillips. This constellation continued in the Week 1 roster for the 2024 season.
Roberts, a redshirt junior captain, was BYU’s top receiver last season. Phillips, entering his redshirt freshman season, appears ready to take a step forward in his second year with the BYU program.
Kalani Sitake was asked why Roberts and Phillips were co-starters.
“Look at the numbers and the positions listed. We have a lot of personnel groups to draw from. We’ve shown that on film,” Sitake said. “I’m not giving away any advantage when I say we have the ability to play with more than just two or three wideouts at a time. … When you look at what Jojo has done, I think he deserves the respect of being listed there.”
LJ Martin: “Will be ready.”
BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin is coming off a shoulder injury, leaving many wondering what his status will be on Saturday against the Salukis.
When asked about Martin’s status, Sitake said, “LJ will be ready and that’s why he’s on the list. We’re excited to see him play.”
“Second year. He’s a different player. Last year he was trying to learn the offense. This year he already knows it. He’s teaching the rookies. He’s got so much talent. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch him, Folau (Ropati), Miles (Davis) and the rookies. But I’m excited about the leadership we’re seeing from LJ. I don’t know if you’ve been around him long enough to know that he doesn’t really say much. But man, he has such an impact on this team and when he speaks, people listen.”
BYU respects Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois enters Saturday’s game ranked No. 11 in the preseason FCS Top 25 poll. The Salukis have won two straight games against FBS opponents.
KSL Sports asked Sitake if his players knew about Southern Illinois’ success against FBS teams.
“I think they’re aware of it. We’ve talked about it,” Sitake said. “That’s how we treat all of our opponents. We want to respect them and we want to see and appreciate how they play. I think they’re doing it right. When you watch them play and see the energy they have with their team, it speaks to their culture. So I think they’re in a really good position as a team. They’re coming here and trying to take a win from us. We have to defend LaVell Edwards Stadium. Our players understand it’s nothing personal, but we also have goals and plans.
“When we go out there and compete, it’s going to be a fun game. We’ll see what happens. But I know our players have a lot of respect for this program, from myself to their coaches, their coaching staff and their program. Nobody cares what the coaches say when it comes down to it and the game starts. It’s about what happens on the field.”
BYU vs. Southern Illinois
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
Kick-off: 18:00 (MT)
TV: Big 12 now on ESPN+
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Mitch Harper is 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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