BYU WR Roberts lets his actions speak for him on football field | News, Sports, Jobs

LARAMIE, Wyo. — BYU’s Chase Roberts had just made another stunning catch on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Wyoming, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say as he stood over the defensive back he had just beaten.

“I’m not a big trash talker, so I didn’t have a bunch of words for him,” Roberts said. “I was trying to think of something to say because I had a bunch of adrenaline, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I didn’t come up with anything clever.”

Instead, Roberts walked over to head coach Kalani Sitake on the sideline to give him a high five, and Sitake told him to keep his cool and not get a penalty.

Roberts was easily the best player on the field for the Cougars in their 34-14 victory, catching six passes for 129 yards. It was his second 100-yard game of the season and the fourth of his career.

“It’s fun being here,” Roberts said. “it was a fun environment. And I thought the drive over was beautiful. I love this place. It’s pretty awesome. It’s always fun to play a tough opponent, and Wyoming was a great team.”

The Cowboys had a hard time containing Roberts, who beat their zone coverage as well as man-to-man efforts to slow him down.

In the third quarter, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick broke out a “special,” with quarterback Jake Retzlaff handing off to freshman Pokai Haunga on a sweep. Haunga turned and threw a pass back to Retzlaff, who launched a deep toss down the sideline. Roberts was well covered but made a tremendous leaping catch over a defender for a 30-yard gain.

“I thought the corner was going to bite on the run, so I was going to be wide open,” Roberts said. “Unfortunately, he stuck to me on man coverage but I knew Jake was going to make a great throw and give me a shot. I pride myself in coming down with the ball and that Jake would trust me so I was able to come down with it and make a play.”

So far this season, Retzlaff and Roberts have combined for 15 completions and 263 yards (17.5 per catch).

The chemistry is good.

“I think it’s just building the trust of, hey, give us shots,” Roberts said. “If it’s one on one, and we’re manned up, then give us a shot. We’ll come down with the play. And I think he’s seen that. We obviously did it all off season and in fall camp. We’ll just keep taking shots and beating them one on one. The camaraderie and the confidence and the film study that we do throughout the week has been great.”

Retzlaff acknowledged that 12 different BYU players caught passes on Saturday (nine from him, three from backup Gerry Bohanon) and moving the ball around is a great tool for the offense.

But he also knows Roberts can get the job done.

“(Our chemistry) is really good, but can always improve,” Retzlaff said. “I missed him on a third down where we kind of just had a little miscommunication there on the sprint-out play. That one sticks out in my mind. But he made a great play on the next drive, a little comeback, or sprint out again, He found a hole and made a big play against their defense. That guy is a really good football player. Chase is incredible, but there’s always ways to get better.”

Roberts took the blame for the miscommunication on the play Retzlaff referenced.

“We talked together right after and said, ‘Hey, just chill.’ I jumped inside and threw him off a little bit. So that was on me. We’ll practice those plays next week, and we’ll fix those things. Those are things that we’re going to bring into the Kansas State game. We’re going to start making those plays, and we’re going to watch film together and fix everything. So we’re excited for, for the next game, and to make those plays that we missed.”

No conversions

Over the past two games, BYU went through a stretch of 0-for-16 on third downs. Against Wyoming, the Cougars finished 2 for 11 on third downs.

A long rivalry

Saturday was the 80th meeting between BYU and Wyoming but the first in Laramie since 2009. The Cougars are now 47-30-3 in the series and have won ten meetings in a row with the Cowboys.

Extra Points: Game time in Wyoming was 70 degrees with winds at 10 miles per hour. … BYU won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. … Laramie is at 7,122 feet elevation, Provo at 4,551. … The Cougars are 3-0 for the fourth time under Sitake … BYU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against Wyoming. … The Cougars totaled 66 players would got reps in the game. … The alumni flag bearers were former offensive linemen Danny Hanson (1976-79) and Robert Davis (1994, 1997-98) and BYU Director of Video and Technology Brandon DeSpain, a Wyoming native from Casper.

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