BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill played his fifth- and sixth-string safety against TCU last weekend. He also turned to several backup linebackers and cornerbacks to fill in the gaps.
After a 44-11 loss, there was hope that help was the way. But on Monday, Kalani Sitake confirmed that reinforcements aren’t coming. BYU lost three more defenders for the season.
Starting linebacker Ben Bywater, who had been out for the last month with a shoulder injury, will be shut down for the season. He will get surgery in the coming weeks and his future with the Cougars is in flux.
“If you guys know Ben he is going to want to play,” Sitake said. “As we started to get more information, the best thing to do was look at his options and decide for him rather than him decide for himself. Looking into it with his family, that is the right decision. Get the surgery, get healthy and not put him in harm’s way.”
Bywater could come back next season, but also could go to the NFL. He told The Salt Lake Tribune in March that he was treating 2023 like his final season in Provo before entering the NFL Draft. An injury complicates the decision. He has been BYU’s leading tackler the last two years.
Safety Tanner Wall is also out for the year and underwent surgery.
Wall was a surprise starter for Hill in the secondary, filling in for the injured Micah Harper and Talan Alfrey. Now BYU will play Preston Rex and freshman Raider Damuni. They combined for 78 snaps last Saturday. The Cougars have veteran safety Malik Moore too, but he has played sparingly and was pulled quickly in Fort Worth.
Lastly, defensive end Michael Daley left the team and will enter the transfer portal. It makes the line slightly more thin. But Daley was not a starter.
Quick Hits
• BYU had its “welcome to the Big 12″ moment in Fort Worth. TCU had Power Five speed and physicality. BYU’s roster simply couldn’t compete, raising concerns for the second half of the year.
• Gonzaga coming to the Big 12? Mark Pope can’t catch a break.
Around the Big 12
Baylor — A vote of confidence for embattled head coach Dave Aranda.
UCF — A look at Malzahn’s contract extension.
Cincinnati — Is the team fractured after third Big 12 loss?
Houston — Dana Holgorsen’s offense showed signs of life in a last-second win against West Virginia.
Iowa State — A Big 12 road win and the Cyclones have found their footing in the league.
Kansas — After loss, Kansas thinks it could get its starting QB back.
Houston defensive back Isaiah Hamilton (23) intercepts a pass intended for West Virginia running back Jaylen Anderson (0) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Kansas State — Went with a new QB, and new running system, in a win over Texas Tech.
Oklahoma — Is a real College Football Playoff contender now.
Oklahoma State — Were fears over Mike Gundy overblown?
TCU — Found its next Max Duggan?
Texas — Where is the weak spot for the Longhorns as second half the season begins?
Texas Tech — Is down to a third-string QB before BYU game.
West Virginia — Has itself to blame for crazy Houston loss.