Among the rhetoric at this week’s Big 12 football media days in Las Vegas will be lofty expectations for the University of Utah in its conference debut and modest projections for BYU, which has been elevated to Power Four status and joined the league last year.
“We learned that when we show up we need to be prepared. We understand that we need to be ready no matter what happens. No matter who goes down, the next guy has to come up.”
BYU receiver Keelan Marion
The Cougars and Utes will resolve their differences in a face-to-face meeting on Nov. 9 in Salt Lake City. Neither side will require any extra motivation as the rivals meet as conference foes for the first time since 2010; However, as with the other 11 scheduled games, BYU’s less-than-positive predictions could serve as a catalyst for an upset or two.
“They can keep them so low. We’re going to prove them wrong,” junior receiver Keelan Marion told the “Y’s Guys” podcast last week. “They can keep them right there (at 4.5 wins). They will see. Was coming!”
BYU got off to a 5-2 start last year before losing graduate transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis to a season-ending injury at Texas. The Cougars finished the year plagued by errors and marred by five consecutive losses.
The team is preparing for camp on July 30th. BYU remains insecure at quarterback, with Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon resuming their battle in practice. The guys they will play for, however, are back healthy and better informed in their preparation.
“We learned that when we show up, we need to be ready,” Marion said. “We understand that we need to be ready no matter what happens. No matter who goes down, the next guy has to come up.”
Marion joins Darius Lassiter, Chase Roberts, Kody Epps, Parker Kingston, JoJo Phillips and Keanu Hill (moved to tight end) as returners with valuable experience. It may be the deepest group of pass catchers in program history, both in ability and personality.
“Some of the guys say this is the most fun they’ve ever had. There’s a lot of laughter and positivity,” Marion said. “Everyone is there to compete. We all push each other. Everyone wants to start. Everyone wants the ball. We always tell each other that there is enough for everyone to eat, we just need everyone to do their part.”
Marion, who missed spring practice with a groin injury, caught 20 passes for 216 yards in his BYU debut. The UConn transfer also returned 19 kickoffs (20.4 average) and rushed for three touchdowns on sweeps.
“I’m ready for camp. I’m back healthy and looking forward to getting back and competing with the boys,” said Marion. “When the ball comes my way, I know what to do with it and I know what I’m going to do with it.”
Playing for mom
Before BYU, Marion played two seasons at UConn. The Atlanta native started all 12 games as a freshman in 2021 and led the Huskies with 28 receptions for 474 yards and five touchdowns.
In the midst of all this there was a certain Saturday in October that Marion will never forget. UConn arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, for a date with Vanderbilt.
“That was the first game my mom came and saw me play,” he said. “I had some living conditions when I was younger and my mother had never seen me play. But when I got to college, she and my dad found a way to come to Nashville.”
With Nicole and Kevin sitting in the stands, Marion put on a dazzling performance on the field.
His first reception was for 11 yards on UConn’s second possession of the game. He added a 26-yard catch and a 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter and capped his first 100-yard game with a 25-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
The only thing that soured the surreal experience was Vanderbilt’s 31-yard field goal as time expired, handing Marion and her Huskies a 30-28 loss.
“I know we had lost, but it was great to do it in front of my mom and see that smile on her face,” he said. “She was crying and it was my little brother’s first play (watching me) too.”
Marion is one of five boys and a pioneer in his household, being the first to graduate from high school and go to college. His family will be in Provo for BYU’s home games this fall and in nearby Orlando when the Cougars play UCF on Oct. 26.
Going West
Brigham Young led pioneers west to Utah in the 1800s, hoping to find better circumstances in which to grow and prosper. Marion made her own journey here last summer. In both cases, there was a lot of anxiety and fear of the unknown.
“Me being from Atlanta, people said, ‘You’re not going to fit in there. You can’t do whatever you want there,’” Marion said. “I love that my team welcomes anyone, no matter where they are from or how they were raised. You have some who are not church members and some who are. I think I adapted very well. The love in Utah is truly genuine.”
3 first moves
The Cougars open the season Aug. 31 against Southern Illinois at LaVell Edwards Stadium. If given the option to call BYU’s first three offensive plays of the game after Marion’s kickoff return, that’s what the 6-foot, 195-pound target recommends.
First play: “We need to go deep. Take a shot.”
Second play: “Pass to Hinck (Hinckley Ropati).”
Third play: “Play again. Let’s play it again!
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and a broadcaster and talk show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” on ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar”, available at deseretbook. with.
