Y’s Guys Podcast

The December 29 edition of Y’s Guys closes out the year with a comprehensive look back at one of the most remarkable years in BYU sports history. Dave and Blaine recap BYU Football’s 12–2 season, capped by a 25–21 Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over Georgia Tech, where Bear Bachmeier earned MVP honors and finished a historic freshman campaign. The show also tackles major offseason developments, including Jay Hill’s departure and what’s next for Kalani Sitake’s staff, while celebrating a season that featured wins over 12 Power Four opponents and BYU’s most victories since 2001.BYU Basketball headlines the winter surge. The Cougars sit 12–1, fresh off a 109–81 rout of Eastern Washington and preparing for Big 12 play. The spotlight shines brightest on AJ Dybantsa, whose dominance makes history yet again as he becomes the first three-time Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week honoree. His triple-double, record-setting efficiency, and national accolades place him firmly among the most impactful players in college basketball — and one of the defining figures of BYU sports in 2025.A centerpiece of the episode is the Y’s Guys Top 10 BYU Sports Stories of 2025, a countdown that spans every corner of Cougar Nation: BYU’s first Big 12 Championship Game appearance, soccer’s first Big 12 title, Jane Hedengren’s historic cross-country season, Kalani Sitake turning down Penn State and signing an extension, AJ Dybantsa’s debut, and Bear Bachmeier’s record-breaking freshman year. The segment captures the scope of a year that elevated BYU’s national profile across multiple sports.The show also features former Cougar and PGA Tour golfer Patrick Fishburn, joining live from Arizona as he prepares for the upcoming PGA season. Fishburn reflects on family life, the grind of professional golf, lessons from his mission, and BYU’s momentum heading into 2026. Campus Notes, Cougars in the NFL, future predictions, and a powerful Jimmy Carter Inspirational Quote of the Week round out a fitting year-end episode — one that celebrates excellence, resilience, and a rising standard for BYU Athletics.#BYUSports #GoCougs #Ysguys #BYUFootball #BYUBasketball #Big12 #CougarNation #TopStories #AJDybantsa #BearBachmeier #BYU #LDS

The December 22 edition of Y’s Guys is a festive, packed holiday show centered on Bowl Week as BYU prepares to face Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Dave and Blaine set the stage with full bowl coverage — kickoff times, TV details, weather, uniforms, payout, and series history — while previewing Saturday’s matchup and outlining Blaine’s three keys to a BYU victory. The show also revisits the last time the Cougars faced Georgia Tech, when Taysom Hill led BYU to a dominant bowl win, and highlights Hill’s monster NFL performance in Week 15. A major highlight of the night is the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, where AJ Dybantsa becomes the first Cougar ever to win the award back-to-back. Dave and Blaine break down one of the most statistically impressive weeks in BYU basketball history — 61 points over two games, elite efficiency, a SportsCenter Top 10 dunk, and an incredible discipline stat: over 171 minutes without committing a foul. Viewers are also pointed to the recent Y’s Guys interview with AJ’s parents, Ace and Chelsea, for deeper insight into his journey.Campus Notes deliver wall-to-wall BYU Athletics updates. Men’s basketball sits at 11–1, women’s hoops opens Big 12 play with a road win at UCF, and volleyball star Suli Davis earns Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors before transferring to SMU. The show also introduces Abdullah Ahmed, a 6’10” center returning from the G-League with three years of eligibility, and previews one of the biggest women’s basketball games of the year — No. 8 TCU at BYU on December 31, the final BYU sporting event of 2025. The episode’s centerpiece interview features Christian Rasband, BYU Alumni Chapter Chair for Orlando, joined by his father Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Together, they discuss alumni events, service projects tied to Bowl Week, the spiritual and developmental role of athletics at BYU, and how sports fit into the broader mission of the university amid NIL and transfer-portal changes. The show closes with a CougarTribe update, a holiday podcast promo, rich BYU bowl-history memories, and an inspirational Christmas message from President Dallin H. Oaks, making this a fitting, reflective holiday episode for Cougar Nation.#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Ysguys #PopTartsBowl #BYUSports #CougarNation #AJDybantsa #Big12Football #BYUBasketball #HolidayShow #LDS #BYU

Listen Ad-Free: https://ysguys.supercast.comvisit: https://www.ysguys.comKyla Ford’s Project: https://powherful.covisit: https://www.byupathway.eduvisit: https://redmond.life/discount/ysguys15 - Use Discount Code: ysguys15 (to get 15% off!)On the December 15 edition of Y’s Guys, Dave and Blaine preview BYU’s upcoming trip to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where the No. 12 Cougars will face No. 22 Georgia Tech on December 27. They compare quarterbacks Bear Bachmeier and Haynes King, break down Georgia Tech’s nine-win season, and review the viewership numbers from the Big 12 Championship Game — the most-watched BYU football broadcast in program history at 8.99 million viewers. The hosts also spotlight BYU’s postseason awards, including LJ Martin being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a Second-Team All-American, and Kalani Sitake winning both the Buddy Teevens Award and Big 12 Coach of the Year.The show then shifts to basketball, where BYU is 9–1 and surging. Dave and Blaine recap the Cougars’ 100–53 demolition of UC Riverside, highlight monster performances from AJ Dybantsa (26 points) and Richie Saunders (19 points), and revisit BYU’s historic comeback win over Clemson — the largest second-half rally in program history. They preview the upcoming home games against Pacific and Abilene Christian and introduce their first guests of the night: Ace and Chelsea Dybantsa, parents of AJ, who joins them in-studio to share what the past six months have been like for their family, how BYU earned their trust, and how Kevin Young’s staff has delivered on every promise.Next, the hosts welcome Kyla Ford, a lifelong BYU fan and recent BYU-Pathway Worldwide graduate, who completed a college degree while raising a young family. She shares how she discovered Pathway at the BYU library, how the program fit her life and finances, and how her degree in Marriage and Family Studies empowered her to start a nonprofit helping other mothers access educational funding. As a true Cougar, she closes by giving her three keys for BYU to beat Georgia Tech.The episode also features the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, honoring AJ Dybantsa, who scored 54 points across two games, dominated Madison Square Garden, and became just the second Cougar ever to reach 200 points in his first 10 collegiate games. Dave and Blaine also announce the upcoming launch of CougarTribe, the new free community experience for BYU fans. The show closes with Campus Notes across women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics, and the Y’s Guys Inspirational Quote of the Week from Walt Disney: “There is no magic in magic, it's all in the details.”#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Ysguys #BYUSports #PopTartsBowl #Big12Football #AJDybantsa #CougarNation #BYUPathway #Basketball #LDS #BYU

visit: https://www.ysguys.comThis week on Y’s Guys, Dave and Blaine react to BYU Football’s final national rankings and bowl destination after an unforgettable season. The Cougars finish No. 12 in both the AP Poll and CFP rankings — the highest end-of-season CFP ranking in program history. With an 11–2 record and a Big 12 Championship Game appearance, BYU now heads to Orlando for a Pop-Tarts Bowl showdown with No. 22 Georgia Tech on December 27. The hosts break down the matchup, Kalani Sitake’s comments on Bear Bachmeier’s ankle, and why BYU fans should be optimistic despite the 34–7 loss to Texas Tech.A major headline of the week is Kalani Sitake’s new long-term contract, which includes increased investment in assistant coaches, support staff, and NIL infrastructure — a critical step to sustaining success in the Big 12. Dave and Blaine also review Big 12 postseason assignments, react to Notre Dame declining a bowl matchup with BYU, and discuss the chaos surrounding the expanded CFP seeding. Meanwhile, the show celebrates BYU’s conference honors: Coach of the Year (Sitake), Offensive Player of the Year (LJ Martin), Freshman of the Year (Bear Bachmeier), and multiple Cougars earning First and Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition.A major announcement on this episode is the launch of CougarTribe, a brand-new community experience built in partnership with TribeHouse. Dave and Blaine explain how CougarTribe will give fans a place to interact all week long — with exclusive content, Q&A access, challenges, meetups in Utah, and livestreamed events for worldwide fans. Membership is free, with the official launch set for January 13. The hosts emphasize how Y’s Guys has grown far beyond expectations and how this new platform strengthens the sense of belonging among BYU fans everywhere.Guests on this episode include Bronson Kaufusi, who gives his Big 12 Championship Game reaction, evaluates BYU’s long-term momentum, and reveals his top five BYU football games of all time; and Jeff Hansen, the BYU recruiting authority, who breaks down BYU’s highest-rated recruiting class in school history, including five four-star additions and several flips from Utah. Campus Notes highlight a massive week across BYU Athletics: Richie Saunders and women’s basketball at 9–1, AJ Dybantsa and Keba Keita dominating at MSG, Suli Davis earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Jane Hedengren smashing the NCAA indoor 5,000m record in her first collegiate track race. The episode closes with John Glenn’s inspirational quote on devoting oneself to something bigger than self-interest.#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Ysguys #BYUSports #PopTartsBowl #Big12Football #KalaniSitake #CougarNation #BYURecruiting #CougarTribe #LDS #BYU

Bid on the Signed Football for Charity: https://www.ysguys.com/contact-usBig 12 Championship Game Alumni Activities: https://alumni.byu.edu/byuvstexastech25Ad-Free Podcast: https://ysguys.supercast.comIt’s Big 12 Championship Week on Y’s Guys, and Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler open the December 1 show with the biggest BYU Football buildup in more than a decade. After beating UCF 41–21 and finishing the regular season 11–1, BYU now faces Texas Tech in Arlington with a conference title — and potentially a Playoff berth — on the line. Behind Bear Bachmeier’s 289 passing yards, Parker Kingston’s breakout performance, and LJ Martin’s three touchdowns, the Cougars shook off a slow start from the second quarter on. The hosts review what worked, what didn’t (including two missed field goals), and how Blaine’s keys to victory held up.The show takes a national look at the latest Big 12 standings, CFP projections, P4 championship weekend, and how BYU stacks up after an 11–1 season — their best record since 1996. With rumors swirling that Penn State is pursuing Kalani Sitake, Dave and Blaine dive into why coaches leave “dream jobs,” what BYU means to Kalani, and why Cougar fans should expect a motivated and locked-in staff heading into championship weekend.This week’s two special guests bring history and fan energy. First, Ty Detmer joins on the 35th anniversary of winning the Heisman Trophy, sharing memories of hearing the announcement while poolside in Hawaii, celebrating with teammates, and reflecting on why the award still means so much to the BYU community. Later, Taggart Barron, BYU Alumni President in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, previews an enormous BYU tailgate, a community service project, and his keys to beating Texas Tech in the rematch.Campus Notes highlight another massive week across BYU Athletics: Richie Saunders named the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after winning the MVP of the ESPN Events Invitational; BYU Men’s Basketball improving to 6–1 with big wins over Miami and Dayton; Women’s Basketball going 7–1; Women’s Volleyball winning four straight including a victory over No. 23 Colorado; and Jane Hedengren and Coach Diljeet Taylor sweeping Mountain Region awards. The show closes with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s Inspirational Quote of the Week, a CougarBoard Question, and a look ahead to Tom Holmoe’s appearance next Monday following the Big 12 Championship.#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Ysguys #BYUSports #Big12Championship #TyDetmer #BearBachmeier #RichieSaunders #CougarNation #ReLyteAthlete

visit: https://www.ysguys.comThis Thanksgiving-week edition of Y’s Guys sets up one of the biggest weekends in recent BYU Football history. With UCF coming to Provo Saturday morning, BYU is one win away from clinching a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Dave and Blaine break down the stakes, the matchups, and BYU’s rise to 10–1 behind the spectacular November surge of Bear Bachmeier, who now has 11 rushing touchdowns and zero turnovers in the past two games. They also review BYU’s 26–15 win over Cincinnati — including LJ Martin’s 222-yard masterpiece, one of the top rushing performances in program history.This episode also features a special guest: Brandon Doman, joining on the 25-year anniversary of LaVell Edwards’ final game — BYU’s iconic 34-27 comeback win at Utah on November 24, 2000. Dave and Blaine revisit the unbelievable fourth-quarter sequence, including Doman’s legendary 4th-and-13 conversion and his diving touchdown with 23 seconds left. The hosts discuss LaVell’s legacy, how that moment defined a generation of BYU fans, and what Doman sees in today’s Cougars as they push toward a conference title.Campus Notes provide a massive cross-BYU update: Women’s Soccer advances to the Sweet Sixteen after a PK thriller over UCLA; Women’s Cross Country finishes second nationally with freshman phenom Jane Hedengren taking second overall; Men’s Cross Country places 11th; Men’s Basketball crushes No. 23 Wisconsin 98–70 at the Delta Center; Women’s Basketball remains undefeated; Women’s Volleyball gets a ranked win over Kansas; and BYU Club Men’s Soccer wins a National Championship.The Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, presented by Redmond, is LJ Martin, honored for his 222-yard, two-touchdown explosion against Cincinnati — the eighth 100-yard game of his career and the performance that pushed him over 1,100 yards on the season. Dave and Blaine also walk through Big 12 championship scenarios, national rankings, Thanksgiving rivalry games around the country, and a special LaVell Edwards Inspirational Quote of the Week to close out the show.#BYUFootball #GoCougs #Ysguys #BYUSports #Big12Football #BYUvsUCF #LJMartin #BrandonDoman #CougarNation #ReLyteAthlete #LDS #BYU

Support Alumni in Cincinnati this week: https://alumni.byu.edu/byuvscincinnati25visit: https://www.ysguys.comThis week on Y’s Guys, Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler break down BYU’s 44–13 win over TCU, one of the Cougars’ most complete performances of the season. BYU dominated on both sides of the ball: Bear Bachmeier finished 23/33 for 296 yards with two total touchdowns; LJ Martin anchored a rejuvenated run game; and the defense held TCU to 1-for-10 on third down. A fourth-quarter Pick Six by Tanner Wall sealed the victory. The win positioned BYU at No. 12 in the CFP Rankings heading into another primetime Big 12 matchup — this time on FOX against Cincinnati.The show also highlights national storylines across the Big 12. Texas Tech, Utah, Arizona State, and Houston all tightened the race behind BYU, creating a late-season logjam near the top of the standings. With BYU at 6–1 in league play and just two games remaining (at Cincinnati and vs. UCF), the Cougars continue to control their championship pathway. Blaine’s keys to beating Cincinnati include protecting the football, avoiding explosive plays, and reestablishing the run game.Guests on this week’s episode include Harvey Langi, who grades BYU’s linebackers and gives his Cincinnati preview, and Jim Wilson, the BYU Alumni Chair in Cincinnati, who outlines the weekend firesides, tailgates, and the chapter’s service project. Later, the show welcomes Chelsea Peterson, the breakout goalkeeper who shocked the college soccer world by leading BYU to the Big 12 Championship and into the NCAA Tournament. She joins the show to relive her 11-round PK thriller against Utah State and preview BYU’s matchup with UCLA.The Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, presented by Redmond, honors Tanner Wall, whose 68-yard Pick Six against TCU was the signature play of the night. Campus Notes highlight BYU Basketball climbing to No. 9 in the AP Poll, Jane Hedengren winning the NCAA Mountain Regional by 42 seconds, and BYU Women’s Volleyball battling in a crowded Big 12 race. The episode closes with the Bo Schembechler Inspirational Quote of the Week and a preview of next week’s special anniversary appearance by Brandon Doman.

Visit Isaiah Kaufusi and Connor Pay’s foundation: https://givebutter.com/weareonefoundationThis week on Y’s Guys, Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler break down BYU Football’s 29–7 loss at Texas Tech, the team’s first true stumble of the season, and preview Saturday night’s showdown against TCU in Provo. Despite the loss, BYU remains in the Big 12 title hunt, sitting tied for second in the standings behind Texas Tech. The hosts discuss what went wrong — including turnovers, special teams miscues, and offensive struggles — but also spotlight the defense’s toughness in forcing five field goals to keep the Cougars in the game.The show features reaction from head coach Kalani Sitake, along with analysis from former BYU linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi and offensive lineman Connor Pay, who return to Y’s Guys to talk about lessons learned from defeat, what it takes to regroup, and how BYU-Pathway Worldwide’s educational outreach is changing lives around the world. Isaiah and Connor share how BYU Football’s involvement with Pathway has made “The World is Our Campus” more than just a slogan.In addition to football talk, Dave and Blaine celebrate another huge week across campus. BYU Women’s Soccer capped a miraculous run by winning the Big 12 Tournament Championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed. The show highlights the story of backup goalkeeper Chelsea Peterson, who was thrust into the starting role after an injury to Paiton Collins and led the Cougars to three straight upsets — including a shootout win over No. 1 TCU — to claim the title.The Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, presented by Redmond, honors Chelsea Peterson for her outstanding performance and perseverance. Other campus updates include BYU Men’s Basketball climbing to No. 7 in the AP Top 25, AJ Dybantsa earning Preseason All-America honors, and BYU Cross Country preparing for NCAA Regionals as the women’s team looks to defend its No. 1 national ranking. The show closes with a look ahead to this weekend’s packed BYU sports lineup, including basketball vs. Delaware and football vs. TCU, plus a lighthearted “On This Day in History” featuring Sesame Street, Home Alone, and the Berlin Wall.

Support our amazing BYU Alumni friends in TX this week. Show your love by donating something to their remarkable local efforts: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/M4LW3ZR8FYIO/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex And, learn more about the activities in Lubbock: https://alumni.byu.edu/byuvstexastech25It’s a massive week for Cougar Nation, and Y’s Guys is live on opening night for BYU Basketball as the No. 8 Cougars prepare to face Villanova at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Dave McCann and Brian Logan (filling in for Blaine Fowler) break down the energy in the arena, Kevin Young’s starting lineup debut, and BYU’s highest preseason ranking in school history. The game tips 30 minutes after the Arizona–Florida matchup as part of the Hall of Fame Series, broadcast nationally on TNT. “This is what the big time looks like,” Dave says.The show also previews a massive football showdown in Lubbock — No. 8 BYU (8–0) vs. No. 9 Texas Tech (7–1) — the “Game of the Year” in the Big 12. Kalani Sitake and Bear Bachmeier’s Cougars are riding a 10-game winning streak, the second-longest among Power Four teams, and will debut new royal blue uniforms featuring the Sailor Coug helmet logo. With ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasting from Texas Tech for the first time, BYU’s rise to national prominence continues.Hosts connect with Kim and David Marsh, BYU Alumni Chapter Chairs in Lubbock, who preview a packed weekend for Cougar fans — a Friday fireside, a Saturday morning tailgate, and a local service project collecting supplies for West Texas families in need. David also gives his three keys to victory for BYU: win the turnover battle, contain Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, and protect Bear Bachmeier.This week’s Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week, presented by Redmond, once again honors Jane Hedengren, who captured the Big 12 Cross Country Championship by a staggering 44 seconds, breaking the meet record by 30 seconds. The No. 1–ranked BYU women’s team won their third straight Big 12 title, extending their conference championship streak to seven across WCC and Big 12 competition. Campus updates include women’s soccer clinching a Big 12 tournament berth, volleyball’s key road trip through Arizona, and the men’s golf team finishing their fall season with a win in California.