Kedon Slovis' health may not be only factor determining BYU's starting QB vs. Iowa State

PROVO — BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff started his first Division I game Saturday, a 37-7 road loss to West Virginia that dropped the Cougars to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 play, with regular starter Kedon Slovis on the mend due to an injury to his throwing arm.

Retzlaff completed 24-of-42 of his passes for 210 yards, ran for 26 yards on 10 carries, and generally earned strong reviews for his FBS collegiate debut. But was it enough to earn the former No. 1-rated junior college quarterback by ESPN another shot at the BYU job?

Without confirming which quarterback would start Saturday against Iowa State (8:15 p.m. MST, ESPN), BYU coach Kalani Sitake said it may not be as simple as whether Slovis is healthy and ready to play.

"Everybody that is coming off injury doesn't just jump into a starting role. You have to earn the right to get that back," Sitake told reporters Monday during his weekly media briefing. "LJ Martin has been practicing, but he hasn't been performing better than Aidan. Until we see in the competition who earns it, that doesn't get settled just by the training room clearing you.

"We want to play the best guy," he added. "If he's cleared, let's see how far he's cleared."

Retzlaff's proponents have pointed to the 6-foot-1 gunslinger's ability to extend plays in and out of the pocket as well as his unique sidewinding throwing motion as evidence that additional time in the offense will only help the former Riverside City College star transition to the Power Five level.

Slovis, a fifth-year senior with previously stops at USC and Pitt, has been the starter for each of the first eight games of the season. But coaches acknowledged Retzlaff's upside even when naming Slovis QB1 back in fall camp, placing the backup quarterback in position to be the No. 2 signal caller in practice and on the depth chart while trying to preserve his redshirt.

With three games left in the regular season, Retzlaff can play in all three without burning his redshirt. A recent NCAA modification also set a precedent that bowl games will not count under the four-game redshirt rule, as well.

Sitake wouldn't confirm if Slovis has been cleared to return by BYU's medical staff, but hinted that the senior was more "day-to-day" than "week-to-week" with elbow and shoulder pain. Retzlaff received starters' reps all last week before making his debut in Morgantown, and Sitake acknowledged that the final decision probably wouldn't be made until at least Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

"You don't just become a starter by appointment only and then you are anointed the starter, and then that is it for the rest of your life," he said. "That's not how it works."

Retzlaff also took three sacks resulting in a loss of 22 yards against the the Mountaineers, who improved to 6-3 with Saturday's win. Many observers called the offensive line performance among the worst of the Sitake era, with starting running back Aidan Robbins running for a team-high 37 yards that included the first rushing touchdown of his career.

The group was also playing without several top receivers, including Darius Lassiter — he didn't make the trip — and Kody Epps, who left the game early with an apparent head injury and did not return. Chase Roberts also left the game with an injury, but returned and finished with 53 yards on four catches.

Sitake said there is a chance both receivers could face the Cyclones (5-4, 4-2 Big 12), who, like the Cougars, are one win away from becoming the seventh team from the Big 12 to become bowl eligible. BYU may need the help after opening as a 6.5-point home underdog.

"They're a good team," BYU defensive end Tyler Batty said. "I think we're excited for another opportunity to go play, for another challenge, and to show what we can do on defense. We've had some highs and some lows. I think, defensively, we've got to just be excited to go out and prove that we can shut down the run game."

Epps' early response to testing and the medical staff's concussion protocol has been "positive," the coach said. Defensive tackle Caden Haws, defensive end John Henry Daley, defensive lineman John Nelson, and gunner/cornerback Marcus McKenzie were also unavailable against the Mountaineers.

"Normally, when we go through the protocol, they can tell us if he's eliminated even (Monday)," Sitake said of Epps. "Right now, there's still a chance for him to play this weekend. ... We'll probably find out more on Wednesday or Thursday, for sure."

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