Cougar Tracks - Daily BYU Cougars Football, Basketball Podcast

BYU football players Preston Rex (RB), Hunter Clegg (OLB), and Kyle Sfarcioc (IOL), spoke with the media virtually on Monday, September 7, 2026, to preview BYU's Big 12 opener against the Arizona Wildcats.

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BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake spoke with the media virtually on Zoom on September 7, 2026, to preview the week two matchup against the Arizona Wildcats.

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BYU football opened the 2026 season with a dominant victory over Utah Tech, 63-7.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper closed the book on the game with commentary from Kalani Sitake, Legend Glasker, and Cannon DeVries.

Glasker and DeVries both earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors for their play.

Also in this episode, Mitch gave a rundown of recruits he saw in attendance at the game. Some of the key players that you need to pay attention to on the recruiting trail for the class of 2028, 2029, and even 2030.

Then, finally, a Cougar Stock Exchange report with what's trending up and trending down in the world of BYU football.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his thoughts and takeaways from BYU's 63-7 victory over the Utah Tech Trailblazers at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

From Legend Glasker's three-touchdown performance to a strong showing from the special teams unit, it was an excellent opener for BYU football.

Mitch unpacks all of it.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Utah Tech head coach Lance Anderson spoke with the media following the Trailblazers loss to No. 14 BYU, 63-7, in Provo, on September 5, 2026.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football players Legend Glasker, Siale Esera, Devaughn Eka, and Cannon DeVries spoke with the media after No. 14 BYU's 63-7 win over Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 5, 2026.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake spoke with the media after No. 14 BYU defeated Utah Tech 63-7 on September 5, 2026, in Provo, Utah.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The long wait is over. BYU football is back to kick off the 2026 season. The 14th-ranked Cougars open the 2026 season against the Utah Tech Trailblazers from the Big Sky Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper previews the matchup. Gives his thoughts on the game. The value of FCS games moving forward. The "Family Reunion" vibe of Saturday's game between BYU and Utah Tech.

Mitch also shares what he's excited to watch for on Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Then, finally, he gives his score prediction and players of the game for the 2026 lid-lifter.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper is loaded with content to get you ready for the 2026 BYU football season.

Mitch opens the show with a deep dive into the biggest on-field storyline of Saturday's opener: Kelly Poppinga calling a defense for the first time as BYU's defensive coordinator. "K-Pop" takes over for Michigan-bound Jay Hill, inheriting a unit that ranked in the top 20 in scoring defense each of the past two seasons and produced eight defensive touchdowns over three years.

Poppinga, a former BYU linebacker star and 18-year coaching veteran, has promised to keep the foundation Hill built while adding his own flavor — swapping Hill's word "chaos" for his own mantra of havoc.

His first depth chart features 13 defensive positions, signaling a multiple-front approach with five-DB packages and a nickel look.

Kalani Sitake has praised Poppinga all camp, calling him "probably the hardest-working coordinator I've ever been around".

Next, Mitch is joined by KSL colleague Alex Kirry for a conversation about BYU football heading into the season. Kirry, the host of "KSL Brightside" on KSL NewsRadio and former Cougar Tracks host, joined the show to preview the season and play a game of "Bear or Bull."

To close the show, Mitch goes around the Big 12 Conference with his Week 1 picks. From Colorado at Georgia Tech to Baylor vs. Auburn in Atlanta, and every other game in between around the league.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga spoke with the media on September 2, 2026.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The 2026 BYU football season opener is days away and the buzz in Provo is electric. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper opens today's show by making the case for why this could be the year BYU football finally breaks through.

Mitch lays out three compelling reasons.

Next, Mitch recaps a powerful moment from the season premiere of BYU Football with Kalani Sitake, the weekly coaches show filmed live in Studio C at BYU Broadcasting with Voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell. Sitake showed genuine emotion while discussing what this players mean to him.

Then, finally, Mitch caught up with BYU wide receiver Jojo Phillips after practice in preparation for week one against Utah Tech. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound redshirt junior from Lancaster, California, enters 2026 as a starter and he discusses the upcoming season ahead.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick spoke with the media on September 1, 2026, previewing the upcoming matchup against Utah Tech.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Game week is here for No. 14 BYU, and KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper delivers a jam-packed episode to get Cougar Nation fully locked in ahead of Saturday's season opener against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio).

Mitch opens the show with the biggest off-the-field headline of the week: the BYU athletic department has been restructured, with AD Brian Santiago no longer overseeing football operations directly. The move comes after weeks of public tension between Santiago and head coach Kalani Sitake, who turned down Penn State last winter and has been vocal about BYU needing to invest more resources into the football program. Sitake addressed the restructuring during his Monday press conference, sharing his thoughts on the changes and what they mean for the program moving forward. Mitch breaks down Sitake's comments and wonders: Will this be a distraction for BYU football in 2026? As it was last year leading up to the Big 12 Championship Game?

Mitch Harper sits down with a familiar voice in the Utah sports broadcasting world — Rod Zundel, the "Voice of the Trailblazers" and Director of Broadcasting and Multimedia Content for Utah Tech Athletics — for a special game-week conversation previewing Saturday's BYU-Utah Tech season opener at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Before becoming the play-by-play voice calling Utah Tech football, men's basketball, and baseball on FM 99.5 in St. George, Zundel spent nearly 24 years at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City as a sports anchor and reporter. He hosted SportsBeat Saturday and Sunday, KSL 5 Golf Utah, and KSL 5 Outdoor Adventures.

He's been calling Trailblazer games since 2022, when Utah Tech made its transition to Division I and the WAC, and now enters his first year covering the program in the Big Sky Conference. In the interview, Zundel gives Cougar Nation the insider view from St. George. He shares what Utah Tech looked like in its Week 0 season opener — a 54-0 loss to No. 1 Montana State at Greater Zion Stadium — and what third-year head coach Lance Anderson's team is working on as it prepares to travel to Provo for its first game against an FBS opponent this season. Zundel discusses the Utah Tech quarterback situation, and the players and schemes BYU fans should keep an eye on Saturday. He also touches on the state of Utah Tech athletics as the Trailblazers embark on their first season in the Big Sky, what the program's long-term trajectory looks like, and the unique challenge of preparing an FCS squad to walk into a packed LaVell Edwards Stadium and face the No. 14 team in the country.

To close out the show, Mitch dives deep into BYU's first official depth chart of the 2026 season. Among the notable takeaways: true freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker is listed as a starter — the first true freshman to open as a starting wideout under Sitake. Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave has earned a starting nod at linebacker despite not yet playing a snap in a BYU uniform, and Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper slots in at another receiving spot. Bear Bachmeier returns as the unquestioned QB1 with Treyson Bourguet behind him. On defense, Kelly Poppinga's first depth chart as defensive coordinator features Faletau Satuala back at safety after recovering from his fractured foot, alongside Evan Johnson at corner and Keanu Tanuvasa anchoring the defensive line. Mitch goes position by position, highlighting the starters, the competition, and the names to watch Saturday night.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football head coach was asked for his thoughts on the athletic department shakeup at Brigham Young University, which changes who the football program reports to.

Instead of reporting to AD Brian Santiago, Sitake and the BYU football program will report to Vice President Keith Vorkink.

This is a news update that aired on KSL NewsRadio. You can listen to the daily Cougar Tracks updates on KSL NewsRadio at 5:55 a.m., 7:55 a.m, 3:55 p.m., and 5:55 p.m. on 102.7 FM, 1160 AM, and the KSL NewsRadio app.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU running back LJ Martin, quarterback Bear Bachmeier, and nose tackle Justin Kirkland spoke with the media on August 31, 2026, over Zoom to preview the 2026 season opener against Utah Tech.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

It's finally here. Game week.

Listen to BYU head coach Kalani Sitake's full weekly press conference from Monday, August 31st, as the No. 14 Cougars prepare to open the 2026 season Saturday against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio).

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and on KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The wait is over — BYU Football game week is officially here.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper opens today's show buzzing with energy as No. 14 BYU enters the final countdown to Saturday's season opener against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+). After a 12-2 campaign in 2025, this is one of the most anticipated season openers in BYU's modern era, and Mitch sets the table for what's ahead.

First up, Kalani Sitake revealed the 2026 Team Leadership Council on Monday morning — a 20-member group voted on by the players, featuring eight captains and 12 co-captains. Returning as captains for the second straight year are running back LJ Martin and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. Joining them on offense are sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier, senior center Bruce Mitchell, and Oregon transfer tight end Roger Saleapaga II. The defensive captain group rounds out with linebacker Isaiah Glasker, Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave, and cornerback Evan Johnson. The transfers earning captain nods before playing a single snap as Cougars is a notable storyline, and Mitch breaks down what it says about the locker room culture. The 12 co-captains include repeat selections Raider Damuni and Andrew Gentry, plus standouts like Walker Lyons, Jojo Phillips, Bodie Schoonover, Therrian Alexander III, Hunter Clegg, and kicker Matthias Dunn.

Mitch also makes the case to get an invite to Influencer Night in 2027 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The uniform combo for week one also dropped Monday, and BYU is going with an all-royal-blue helmet, royal-blue jersey, and white pants for the opener — the first time this combination has been worn in the Big 12 era. BYU also shifted to a weekly uniform reveal approach this season instead of releasing all 12 combos before kickoff. A new Entrata sponsorship patch will also make its debut on the jerseys. To close out the show, Mitch runs through the Cougar Stock Exchange — who's trending up and who's trending down heading into the opener. What are the reasons you should be excited for BYU football in 2026?

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Brigham Young University restructured the athletic department. Advancement VP Keith Vorkink will now oversee BYU football, while Brian Santiago will oversee the rest of the athletic department. What does this mean going forward?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shares his thoughts on the situation and what's next moving forward. 

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The Big 12 Conference "unanimously adopted a conference rule" that prevents Big 12 member institutions from fielding professional athletes in any conference-sponsored sport. That raises the question for BYU fans: How does it affect BYU basketball commit Jaxon Kohler?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper answered that question and got a follow-up answer from the Big 12 Conference. He breaks down the timeline regarding Jaxon Kohler, his eligibility, and what's next. Mitch also shares his thoughts on the NCAA and the 5-in-5 rule, and how this has become chaos.

Mitch Harper caught up with BYU football wide receiver Kyler Kasper at the end of fall camp practice.

Kasper transferred in from the University of Oregon to BYU. After two separate injuries, Kasper feels better than ever entering the 2026 season with the Cougars. He discussed how fall camp went, where he's improved as a player, and what fans will learn about BYU's wide receiver unit in 2026.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football wrapped up fall camp 2026 on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Student Athlete Building in Provo.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper was there to share his observations and analysis from the final day of camp. Now BYU shifts its attention to the regular season, which kicks off on September 5 against Utah Tech.

After that, Mitch turned his attention to his depth chart projection for the 2026 season opener.

The intel and observations Mitch gathered during BYU fall camp help shape his depth chart projection for the upcoming season.

Who will emerge at wide receiver? The new era on defense under Kelly Poppinga? Mitch dives into all of it in his depth chart projection.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

With the September 5 opener against Utah Tech now less than two weeks away, KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper delivers a loaded episode.

First up, BYU unveiled a slate of upgrades to LaVell Edwards Stadium that are ready for the 2026 season. The headliner is the new PACS Recruit Lounge located under the east stands — a dedicated space for recruits and their families featuring new seating, food and beverage options, and entertainment areas designed to give BYU's recruiting staff a premium game-day resource. The home locker room also received a full renovation with new lockers, technology, and player amenities, while LaVell's Lounge has been refreshed with an expanded concessions menu, new TVs, décor, and seating. Mitch breaks down what these investments signal about the program's trajectory and how they stack up in the Big 12 facilities arms race.

Next, Mitch tackles the big question every Cougar fan is asking: Will No. 14 BYU make the College Football Playoff in 2026? One national pundit is buying into BYU reaching their first Playoff.

Also on today's show, Mitch chats with third-year BYU tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride. The 20-year coaching veteran who brings over a decade of NFL experience — including stints with the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers — discusses what he believes could be the best tight end room since he arrived on campus. Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga have been running with the first-team offense in 12-personnel packages throughout camp, and Gilbride talks about the intersection of college football and the NFL, the development of his group, and the role the tight ends will play in Aaron Roderick's offense this season.

Mitch then shares his latest practice observations from the final stretch of fall camp as the Cougars close out week three with a "Cougar Stock Exchange," discussing what's trending up and trending down in camp.

To close the show, Mitch gives his thoughts on an NFL player, Dae'Quan Wright, expected to join the LSU Tigers after spending the spring and summer with the Cleveland Browns organization. Should college football fans be concerned?

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football enters the final week of fall camp practices with the 2026 season opener against Utah Tech approaching.

This is a news update that aired on KSL NewsRadio. You can listen to the daily Cougar Tracks updates on KSL NewsRadio at 5:55 a.m., 7:55 a.m, 3:55 p.m., and 5:55 p.m. on 102.7 FM, 1160 AM, and the KSL NewsRadio app.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT).

BYU basketball picked up a commitment from former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler.

Kohler picked BYU over Kentucky, Kansas, and Louisville. He gives BYU a big man who competed in the NBA Summer League over the past summer.

Kohler, an American Fork, Utah native is eligible due to a court injunction that gives him the ability to take advantage of a fifth year in the new 5-in-5 rule.

During his senior season at Michigan State, Kohler was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten performer.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his reaction to the commitment and what it could mean for BYU's potential lineup in the 2026-27 season.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

A big storyline for BYU football entering the 2026 season is at wide receiver. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper discusses the latest with the wide receiver unit and who might be the top five players emerging in that position group.

BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick shared some thoughts on the receivers who are performing well during fall camp practices. From Jojo Phillips to Reggie Frischknecht and Tiger Bachmeier, Mitch breaks down the latest with that wide receiver unit that looks to replace Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston.

Also, offensive line talk as the Cougars continue to navigate fall camp with third-year offensive line coach TJ Woods.

Then, finally, CFB Twitter is buzzing about fall weddings. Mitch gives his thoughts and his personal experience with fall weddings.

His experience might surprise you.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper starts today's show from the practice fields after another eventful day at BYU football fall camp. Day 11 took place Tuesday at the Student-Athlete Building, where media were allowed to watch the final 20 minutes. 

Mitch shares his observations from the media window — who flashed, which position battles are tightening up, and how the Cougars are shaping up entering the final stretch before the September 5 opener against Utah Tech. With BYU checking in at No. 14 in the preseason AP Top 25, the expectations are real, and the on-field product at practice is reflecting that.

Then Mitch pivots to the hardwood, where the 5-in-5 eligibility injunctions have turned BYU basketball's roster construction into one of the most fascinating storylines in college hoops. A temporary restraining order in California allows for Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler to be able to enter the portal and have another year of college eligibility. Could BYU get him?

The American Fork, Utah, native who started for Tom Izzo and played in the Utah Jazz Summer League is considering Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and BYU for his fifth year. Mitch breaks down how the injunction works, why the transfer portal rules add another layer of complexity, and what landing Kohler would mean for a BYU basketball team building around Rob Wright, Bruce Branch III, and Collin Chandler.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).