The stunning BYU Cougars are undefeated, ranked No. 14 within the AP Prime 25 and tied with No. 11 Iowa State atop the Large 12 Convention standings.
Main the way in which for the Cougars is trailblazing quarterback Jake Retzlaff. At a college with a 99% Mormon student body, the “face” of the college’s soccer group proudly showcases his Jewish religion.
The redshirt junior is the first Jewish starting QB within the historical past of the BYU soccer program and the only starting Jewish QB on the FBS degree.
By way of the primary 5 video games of the 2024 marketing campaign, Retzlaff has accomplished 61.2% of his passes for 1,208 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s additionally the group’s main rusher with 156 yards and one TD on 34 carries.
A southern California native, Retzlaff obtained no scholarship presents out of highschool. He obtained consideration from BYU after placing up unbelievable numbers on the junior faculty (JUCO) degree. At Riverside Metropolis Faculty, he threw for 4,596 yards and 44 TDs in 2022. After backing up Kedon Slovis in 2023, he earned the beginning job this season.
In an interview with BYUtv Sports activities Nation in September, Retzlaff said BYU has confirmed to be the right touchdown spot for him.
“There isn’t any approach to describe it apart from I am within the place I am speculated to be proper now,” Retzlaff mentioned. “It was a curler coaster of a trip … I am grateful for each a part of it — would not change any of it.”
Retzlaff is accustomed to being surrounded by individuals of different faiths and feels welcome on the BYU campus.
“Me and my two brothers have been actually the one two Jewish athletes (in my city) rising up,” Retzlaff said in a current interview with CBS Sports activities. “I really like to have the ability to be a beacon and simply to encourage any person. If it is one, then it is sufficient … The whole lot is so faith-oriented. You’ll assume everyone seems to be doing their very own factor, but it surely’s the other. Everyone seems to be so embraceful of each religion on campus.”
As revealed in interviews televised by ESPN’s “Faculty GameDay,” Retzlaff’s teammates assist his devotion to his Jewish religion and heritage.
BYU is at the moment projected to win the Large 12 Convention championship. If that projection involves fruition, the Cougars and Retzlaff will obtain a first-round bye within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
