Just eight games ago, BYU emptied the locker room devasted after losing their final game of the 2023 season in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The Cougars held a 24-6 lead over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at halftime but fell late in double overtime, as the Cowboys won 40-34. At 5-7, BYU failed to reach a bowl game, which fueled this team all offseason.
"Last year, we were in a position where we were just trying to get bowl-eligible, and they took that from us," said BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker.
Exorcising the demons
Since then, BYU is 7-0, and is in the midst of the most surprising season in BYU football history. On Friday night, the Cougars turned up the notch on the "team of destiny" conversation in an eventful 38-35 victory over the Cowboys.
The rematch meant extra for BYU because of the dramatic loss to Oklahoma State last season. The Cougars exorcised their demons in a dramatic last-second win to keep their special season alive.
"Going into this game... we had a sour taste in our mouth, and we wanted this win," said Glasker. "Being able to come out here and beat them finally is super beneficial."
The defense had its worst performance of the season, but the offense made up the difference, scoring on all four drives in the second half. The game was a shootout, the type of game that BYU was not equipped to win last season.
But in 2024, this BYU team has shown they can win in multiple ways. The Cougars held SMU without a touchdown in a sloppy, low-scoring affair. BYU scored defensive and special teams touchdowns in a blowout victory against Kansas State. Against Oklahoma State, BYU won a shootout against the Cowboys.
A word on Retzlaff
Last season, against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Retzlaff had his chances to deliver the knockout blows in both games but came up short. But on Friday night, Retzlaff delivered the knockout blow on a touchdown pass to Darius Lassiter with seconds remaining.
Retzlaff's passing numbers will not blow you away; he threw for 218 yards on 13-26 completions. He accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and two interceptions. He threw just five passes in the second half before orchestrating the game-winning touchdown drive.
What the numbers do not tell you is the poise Retzlaff showed against the Cowboys. The Cougars trailed the Cowboys three times, and Retzlaff responded every time. His ability to run the football opens up holes in the defense for BYU to rush for 255 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Retzlaff rushed the ball nine times for 81 yards to keep Oklahoma State on its heels all night.
No, Retzlaff is not perfect. His two interceptions in the second quarter left points on the board for BYU, but this year, Retzlaff and his teammates have proven they are resilient enough to overcome those mistakes.
Most importantly, Retzlaff helped BYU win the game, which it should not have won. With that win, the Cougars separated themselves even further from the pack in the Big 12 at 4-0 in conference play. On Sunday, BYU Jumped two spots to No. 11 in the AP poll.
Team of destiny
BYU is having a magical season and is conjuring team-of-destiny vibes. If BYU continues on the path it is on, the game against Oklahoma State will go down as one of the most pivotal games in its history. BYU escaped the game it was supposed to lose. Ollie Gordon II could not be stopped; the Cowboys converted 9-13 on third down and 2-2 on fourth down. BYU turned the ball over three times in the first half. Yet BYU was able to pull out a win.
"It's a good team win, but we made mistakes, team mistakes," said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. "Good teams can find a way to get this done, man. I've coached some of those and been on some really special teams that just find a way; they believe."
With everything going against them, the Cougars still believed. That belief rallied the troops to avenge their 2023 loss and fan the flames of the team of destiny narrative that they have earned seven games into the season.