“Handle the dang football!” Kalani Sitake delivers a crucial message to his turnover-prone QB.
BYU’s head coach, Kalani Sitake, expressed his frustration with quarterback Jake Retzlaff after he recorded three turnovers against SMU. In his eighth season, Sitake has previously guided talented players, including NFL QBs Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall, allowing his offenses to thrive.
However, this season’s QB situation has been rocky, with Retzlaff reverting to bad habits that hurt his teammates. During the game against SMU, his turnover issues became painfully evident. The first drive ended with a fumble, and later, he made a critical mistake by trying to throw while being sacked, resulting in an interception. The third pick occurred when he failed to see a defender and threw the ball directly to him.
After reflecting on the team’s performance, Sitake had strong words for Retzlaff on Monday: “There’s no excuse for it. Take care of the dang football. That’s what it boils down to. I want players to feel free, but that ball is a shared responsibility.”
Luckily for BYU’s struggling offense—hit hard by injuries to two running backs early in the game—the defense stepped up and made significant contributions when the offense faltered.
Kalani Sitake was fired up when asked if Jake Retzlaff's three giveaways were the type to be concerned about going forward or a one-off situation vs SMU.
"No. There's no one-off's.
Take care of the stinkin' football.
That's what it comes down to.
I've said it over and over… pic.twitter.com/zGvgWeJC6K
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) September 9, 2024
Just like Michael Scott attempting to dine and dash, SMU seemed dismissive of BYU’s struggling offense, thinking they could easily bypass it. That was until the formidable defense took the field and made their presence felt. No free passes for SMU!
While the Cougars’ defense performed exceptionally well, it’s clear to everyone involved that winning against strong opponents requires scoring points. Much like my favorite Seattle Mariners, no one cares how stellar your pitching is if you can only manage a run or two each game.
To achieve bowl eligibility, especially in the competitive Big 12 Conference, the Cougars need to find a way to score. This means relying on a quarterback who prioritizes ball security and makes smart plays. In the game against SMU, the negatives outweighed the positives for Retzlaff, and he’ll need to improve ahead of the matchup with Wyoming this weekend.
“It’s not just about one player. The ball doesn’t belong to him; it belongs to all of us. They need to start thinking that way.”
With only one game left before entering conference play, the upcoming game against the Cowboys is their last chance to refine the offense in preparation for the tough schedule ahead.
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