Special to Mercy Harris, Herald
BYU players celebrate after 2OT’s win over Baylor at LaBelle Edwards Stadium in Provo, Saturday, September 10, 2022.
Most fans certainly prefer one or the other, but the ups and downs are an integral part of college football.
On the scale of the team as a whole, they are usually emphasized simply by winning or losing, but when it comes to individuals, it’s much more subtle.
Even if a team wins, penalties, unassigned, turnovers, bad snaps, and/or – for BYU junior kicker Jake Oldroyd in Saturday’s 26-20 2OT victory over Baylor in Provo – missed kicks It can be emotionally devastating.
On the flip side, when a player does well and starts garnering buzz for the Dark Horse Heisman Trophy (like Cougar Junior quarterback Jalen Hall), or a team knocks on the top 10 door with a big win. Sometimes it can be difficult not to. Let those accolades hurt your performance.
So how does BYU deal with both highs and lows?
According to Cougar player and head coach Kalani Sitake, it’s all about the program’s culture.
“It’s brotherhood,” BYU sophomore linebacker Ben Bywater said on a conference call Monday. We have each other’s backs when we’re thin and it’s comforting to me.Our culture is based on love and learning and[head coach Kalani Shitake]talks about it all the time. For us, being a tough guy means appreciating the wins and losses and moving forward.”
He says with a smile that it’s easier to enjoy high scores.
“I think our guys deserve it for us to beat Baylor and for us to be recognized,” Bywater said. I’m so happy for everyone who helped me.For us, it’s big.”
But BYU offensive lineman Connor Pei noted that fame and fortune can be very fleeting, especially in college football.
“The ratings are great, but if something goes wrong, everyone will turn against you,” Pei said. “It’s important to know that and stay focused on the people that really matter. It’s the people in the building, the teammates, the coaches, the staff.We’re all focused on getting ready for Oregon.People on the outside can say whatever they want, but it’s really me. Their opinion doesn’t matter to us, so it doesn’t affect us at all.
That’s why Hall’s visible gesture when he stood with Oldroyd at the end of Baylor’s game, and the many other less noticeable gestures when he lifted his teammate who was down, was so important. Yes, says Sitake.
“I thought our fellow team leader would take care of everyone,” Shitake said. It’s all hugs and just the love the players show in the locker room: “It’s hard to see my brother lying down, so it’s good that these guys pick him up. A lot of teams do that.” But I’m really happy that the players feel empowered to do that.”
That also applies to a field where athletes try to do the best for themselves and each other while playing specific roles in the Cougars’ offensive and defensive schemes.
Trying hard to play for your team can lead to mistakes and penalties, as was made clear against the Bears on Saturday night. To be successful, you need to be disciplined and coordinated.
“I don’t think effort and a desire to play just mean losing your senses,” said Shitake. “We try to make sure our players have the right mindset on every play. You learn and you get better.The problem is if the players keep making the same mistakes.And then there is the problem from the coaches.They are not communicating well with the players or the players are thinking in the right way. You may not have
Pay said every player, regardless of ranking or accolades, should be fully aware that they can be better and should work towards that goal.
“We were rushing like 83 yards against Baylor and it wasn’t good at all,” Pei said. It’s great that we’re ranked high and recognized, but it means nothing if we don’t prepare and win the next game. Just keep your focus on your opponent, prepare the way you know, the way you’ve been coached, and you’ll be fine. ”
Special to Mercy Harris, Herald
BYU’s kicker Jake Oldroyd attempts a kick in the 2OT win over Baylor at Ravel Edwards Stadium in Provo, Saturday, September 10, 2022.
Comments
Post a Comment