Classes and homework may have taken a break, but BYU sports sure didn’t. Here are five things in sports that went down between semesters:
1. Kalani Sitake named head football coach
Former BYU football player Kalani Sitake was named BYU’s 13th head football coach on Saturday, December 19 following the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl game. The former Oregon State defensive coordinator replaces Bronco Mendenhall, who left to fill the head coaching position at the University of Virginia.
2. BYU falls to rival Utah 35-28 in Las Vegas bowl game
BYU battled back against rival Utah from a 35-0 deficit and five turnovers in the first quarter. Despite the initial loss, the Cougars came back with four touchdowns in the final three quarters, including two in the final quarter. But the Utes held on to win the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl 35-28.
3. Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer returns to BYU as offensive coordinator
BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake named 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer as the Cougar’s offensive coordinator. Detmer is considered to be powerful ammunition in Sitake’s recruiting arsenal. He played in the NFL for 14 years (1992-2005), held 59 NCAA records and tied three others by the end of his BYU career.
4. Chase Fischer scores career-high 41 points
BYU basketball senior guard Chase Fischer scored a career-high 41 points against New Mexico in the Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 23 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Fischer also scored on nine of his 13 three-point attempts, including five in the first half, tying Jimmer Fredette for second-most three-pointers in a game.
5. Kyle Collinsworth records eighth triple-double
BYU basketball senior guard Kyle Collinsworth recorded his eighth triple-double, garnering a total of 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Central Michigan on Dec. 18. He also extended the NCAA career triple-double record.
