PROVO, Utah (AP) — Jake Retzlaff has stood out for leading No. 17 BYU to a 5-0 start to the season but his accomplishments on the field go beyond that.
The first Jewish starting quarterback at the private school, which is supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has embraced the opportunity to be a role model for younger Jewish athletes and chart a path for them to follow in pursuit of their own dreams.
“It’s cool to be the first, but I just want there to be a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and so on,” Retzlaff said. “I want to be somebody out there that can inspire other people, some other practicing Jews in my position. Just go play football and go get on the field because not enough of them do.”
Retzlaff has already helped the Cougars emerge as one of the nation’s most-improved teams in their second Big 12 season. The Cougars have raced to an undefeated start with him at the controls, matching the team’s win total from a season ago.
Through five games, the redshirt junior has thrown for 1,206 yards and 11 touchdowns on 61% passing. He has thrown for at least 200 yards four times after having just one 200-yard game last season.
“In terms of the offense, I think he’s starting to really come into his own,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “Starting to feel really comfortable with everything. The timing of all of it. It can get better, but I like where he’s at right now and I like where his mindset is.”
Retzlaff was the No. 1 rated junior college quarterback when he signed with BYU out of Riverside City College in 2023. During his final JUCO season in 2022, Retzlaff threw for 4,596 yards and 44 touchdowns.
He began his career with the Cougars last season as an understudy to Kedon Slovis. But when Slovis suffered a shoulder injury, Retzlaff earned the starting nod. He went 0-4 in four starts as part of a season-ending five-game skid that caused the Cougars to miss a bowl game for the first time since 2017.
Inconsistency plagued Retzlaff during those four games. He had moments when he made brilliant plays but struggled with taking care of the ball. Retzlaff only completed 50.4% of his pass attempts and tallied 648 yards along with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
A 31-24 loss to Oklahoma encapsulated those struggles. Retzlaff lost a pair of fumbles and threw a 100-yard pick-six that effectively swung the game in the Sooners’ favor.
Those experiences taught him the value of being prepared and focused heading into this season.
“I’m just learning from every week,” Retzlaff said. “It’s a little different in games. Game reps are a lot more valuable than those practice reps. Every play, I’m trying to learn as much as I can from the game.”
Retzlaff has had to make some personal sacrifices to pursue his football career at BYU.
Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath, begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. This means Retzlaff is usually preparing for a game or playing one during his faith’s traditional day of rest and worship. Attending Shabbat services in Utah carries an additional hurdle with no synagogue on the BYU campus or in surrounding Utah County.
Since Retzlaff is typically unable to attend Shabbat services, he uses football as a vehicle for quietly expressing his faith.
“The football field is my sanctuary,” Retzlaff said. “Being there is spiritual for me. Being on that field on Saturday means so much. It means almost as much as being in services on Shabbat. It’s a place where I feel connected and feel like I’m doing something not for myself but for so many other people.”
Retzlaff’s teammates and coaches are expressing confidence that BYU will keep exceeding expectations this season with him directing the offense.
“I look forward to seeing great things from him,” Sitake said.
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