BYU's starting quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, was accused of sexual assault by a Salt Lake County woman in a civil lawsuit filed Wednesday.
The incident happened in November 2023, according to the complaint filed in Third District Court.
The woman is identified in the complaint as Jane Doe A.G., and she is suing Retzlaff for battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In an email to members of the news media on Wednesday, Retzlaff's attorney, Mark Baute, said that Retzlaff is "factually innocent."
"I have met him, and he is a nice young man," Baute said. "He is also factually innocent, and we look forward to proving that innocence. Jake’s focus this year will be on football. We don’t try cases in the media, we will respect the process and establish Jake’s innocence through the judicial system."
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe A.G. and her friend went to Retzlaff's home on Nov. 22, 2023. Jane Doe A.G. stayed at Retzlaff's home after her friend left, and things escalated after the two started to kiss in Retzlaff's room, the lawsuit states.
After Jane Doe A.G. said she did not want to do anything more, Retzlaff began to "shout" at her, according to the complaint. Later in the night, Retzlaff began to forcefully kiss her and ignored her request to stop, eventually assaulting her, the lawsuit alleges.
According to the lawsuit, at one point during the night, Jane Doe A.G. was in so much pain that she passed out.
Jane Doe A.G. had a rape kit examination in the days following the alleged assault. Pictures of the cuts on her lips, bruises on her thighs and neck were taken, according to the lawsuit.
She told Provo Police about the incident, but didn't initially say the quarterback's name, saying "she was not ready to confront him," the complaint states. Eventually, she did give the Provo Police Retzlaff's name, but the lawsuit claims she was advised by an officer not to press criminal charges, because "sexual assault victims never get justice."
As of Wednesday, Retzlaff has not been criminally charged in connection with the incident.
Jon McBride, spokesperson for BYU Athletics, issued a statement Wednesday.
"BYU became aware today that a civil lawsuit involving Jake Retzlaff had been filed this morning," McBride said. "The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment."