BYU football notes: Former Cougar Derwin Gray proud of football success and faith
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- Former BYU defensive back Derwin Gray takes a photo on the field before the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
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- Former BYU defensive back Derwin Gray (1) talks to Cougar players and BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe during the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
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- BYU players take the field before the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
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- BYU fans cheer on their team during the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
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- BYU players celebrate after winning the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
It’s been more than 30 years since Dr. Derwin Gray wore the blue-and-white for the BYU football team as a star defensive back (1989-92) but being a Cougar is still something he values.
“I have always believed in giving back to people who have helped you, and BYU has helped me immensely,” Gray said on Saturday. “I met my wife there, made lifelong friends there, got a great education there and an opportunity to go to the NFL from there, but it’s the people I love. It’s a great opportunity just to give back what’s been given to me. In essence, what life is about is paying it forward.”
This past week was a special week for Gray, who grew up in San Antonio and got to come home while participating in a number of festivities with the Cougar football team prior to Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Those included speaking at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Breakfast on Thursday and running out one of the BYU alumni flags at the game.
“It’s so cool,” Gray said. “The older I get, the cooler it becomes. It’s like Antarctica, it is so cool. I absolutely love it. For me, personally, growing up in San Antonio, being able to run out the flag for BYU that recruited me, it’s awesome. I feel loved. I feel appreciated. I’m grateful for BYU head coach LaVell Edwards for giving me the opportunity to play for the Cougars.”
He grinned as he talked about how he successfully brought the flag across the field prior to the contest without getting trampled or hurt.
But his contribution to his alma mater didn’t end there. As BYU took on Colorado, Gray was on the Cougar sideline, using his vivacious personality to cheer and support the BYU players.
“I wasn’t playing in the game, but I felt like I was playing,” Gray said. “When I’m around football, and particularly when I’m on the BYU sideline, I can’t help but encourage. I can’t help but be passionate. Coach (Kelly Poppinga) let me get hyped with the kickoff team. I was jumping up, hitting dudes in the chest. I’m glad I didn’t hurt myself.”
He said it was a treat to watch the Cougars play the way they did as BYU steamrolled the Buffaloes on its way to the 36-14 win.
“Tonight was a game that I as a defensive player would have loved to play in,” Gray said. “It was very physical. They were disciplined. They were fast. It was a dominating performance. I think for BYU, finishing the year 11-2, this is one of the great, historic seasons of BYU. Coach Kalani Sitake and his staff did a great job. The players did a great job, and this season culminated with a dominating victory of Colorado, with the Heisman Trophy winner.”
Gray is the pastor of the Transformation Church and although he does not share all of the same beliefs as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which owns BYU), he sees the university and football program as playing valuable roles in promoting faith for all players.
“What BYU is able to do being an LDS school is create a moral framework for people who are not Latter-day Saints, such as myself,” Gray said. “There’s still a core of morality that is shaping and important. And then you get a world-class education, you get discipline, and you get wonderful people. I actually think the world is hungering for faith more than we understand.”
He said he feels honored to be embraced by Cougar fans and share the BYU football legacy.
“BYU fans are committed,” Gray said. “They’re loud. They’re proud. Just walking around and people remembering me and wanting to take pictures with me, relationships matters deeply. The fans are part of the game.”
He believes that even in the evolving modern world of college football, the Cougars are positioned to continue to build on the traditions of success that he was a part of as a player.
“I’m excited about it because of Kalani (Sitake), the staff, the new general manager and the administration,” Gray said. “Just having some conversations over the last few days, BYU is recruiting at a higher level. I think they’re ahead of a lot of schools concerning the transfer portal as well. I’m very, very optimistic about what they’re doing. I think with the BYU brand, there are kids who want to come play here, particularly after you see them dominate a star-studded team like Colorado.”
Showing up
BYU and Colorado fans filled the Alamodome for the Valero Alamo Bowl, with the announced attendance of 64,261 making it a sellout.
This was just the second time featuring two out-of-state teams that the Alamo Bowl had a sellout crowd and the second-largest total for an out-of-state matchup (Oklahoma State and Ohio State set that mark in 2004).
It was the 12th highest attendance ever for the bowl, which has often featured teams from the state of Texas.
Kicking it better than anyone
BYU junior kicker Will Ferrin did his job flawlessly against the Buffaloes, drilling an Alamo Bowl-record 54-yard field goal as well as two other field goals (51 yards and 31 yards).
His three field goals made him the Cougar single-season record holder for made field goals with 24, breaking a tie with former BYU kicker Justin Sorensen. He finished the year going 4-of-5 on field goals from 50 yards or more.
TD returns all around
BYU sophomore Parker Kingston had his second punt-return touchdown of the season in the Alamo Bowl, covering 64 yards.
It was BYU’s fifth return TD this season, two kickoff returns by Keelan Marion, one by Talan Alfrey (on an onside kick) and Kingston’s two punt-return scores. It is the first time the Cougars have had at least two kickoff return and punt return TDs in the same season, as well as the most total return TDs since 1971.
Pick party
With its two interceptions against Colorado (one on a tipped ball by Evan Johnson and another by Isaiah Glasker), BYU finished the year with 22 picks which is the most in the nation. The Cougars broke a tie with San Jose State for the national lead.
BYU was led by three picks each from Glasker, Tanner Wall and Jakob Robinson. Twelve different Cougars had interceptions in 2024.
A sack for you and a sack for you
BYU finished the Alamo Bowl with four sacks, a season-high. All four were officially the first sacks of the season for the Cougar players, with linebacker Harrison Taggart, defensive lineman Logan Lutui, defensive back Raider Damuni and linebacker Siale Esera bring Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the ground behind the line of scrimmage.
The previous high for BYU in sacks in a game had been three, which the Cougars did against SMU and Baylor. Coincidentally, all three of those games took place in Texas (Dallas, Waco and San Antonio).
Extra points
BYU lost the toss and Colorado deferred to the second half. The Cougars got the ball to start the game but went three-and-out, while the Buffaloes threw an interception on their first drive of the second half … BYU’s captains for the coin toss were OL Connor Pay, WR Chase Roberts, DE Tyler Batty and CB Jakob Robinson … The Cougar team flags were carried by safety Ethan Slade (USA flag), offensive lineman Sam Dawe (flag of Utah), wide receiver Rowan Reay (BYU flag) and strength coach Christian Tupou (Big 12 flag) … The BYU alumni flags were carried by a pair of former Cougar defensive backs Derwin Gray (S, 1989-92) and Omar Morgan (CB, 1996-97).
