Jake Retzlaff led BYU to a convincing 41-13 victory over Southern Illinois in their season opener, showcasing his skills with 348 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars, who dominated the game with a total of 529 yards of offense, also benefitted from strong performances by LJ Martin and Folau Ropati, who combined for over 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Retzlaff's performance comes after a competitive offseason where he secured the starting quarterback position against transfer Gerry Bohanon. BYU's defense was formidable, limiting the Salukis to just 126 total yards and forcing several sacks. Despite worries about BYU's offensive struggles, this game demonstrated their potential as they aim to set a positive tone for the 2024 season in the Big 12. The victory marks BYU's 19th straight win against FCS opponents, reinforcing their dominance in these matchups.