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BYU offensive linemen Connor Pay and Blake Freeland talk during the BYU football game at Navy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020.

BYU Photo

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BYU senior Isaiah Bagnah walks off the field during the Big 12 game against Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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BYU senior center Connor Pay prepares to snap the ball during the first day of fall camp in Provo on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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BYU junior defensive lineman Isaiah Bagnah prepares for a drill during practice in Provo on Thursday, August 17, 2023. © BYU PHOTO 2023 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive end Isaiah Bagnah makes a tackle during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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Every one of the 20 players BYU plans on honoring Saturday at the final home game of the 2024 season has his own journey that brought him to Provo and what it’s meant to be a part of the Cougar program.

BYU senior offensive lineman Connor Pay and senior defensive lineman Isaiah Bagnah got a chance to tell a little of their stories during Monday’s press teleconference, which were very different.

Pay, for example, is part of a Cougar legacy family.

“Everything positive in my life from the last four years has had to do, in one form or another, with my interactions and attendance at BYU,” Pay said. “I can attribute a lot of the positive things in my life to this university.”

He talked about the impact the institution had on his family before he was even born.

“This is where my parents met,” Pay said. “This is where my Dad got his law degree to be able to provide for our family. The life that I’ve had and the life that my siblings have had has been because of BYU and what its given back to my family.”

Now it is his turn to complete his Cougar experience and he said it’s been very fulfulling.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of emotions,” Pay said. “I’m graduating this semester, and this will be my last time playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It’s an emotional week. It’s the end of an era in my life. I couldn’t be more grateful for the university, the athletic program and the Marriott School of Business. What I’m graduating in has been very much life-changing for me. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.”

Pay believes that BYU is a great place for anyone who has strong faith, not just for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the owner of the school).

“I don’t think you can have a more faith-filled experience at any other university in the country regardless of what religion you follow,” Pay said. “If you’re a person who has faith in God, that’s only going to be strengthened by coming to BYU. I think Jake [Retzlaff] has talked about how, even having a Jewish background, he’s grown stronger in his faith by being at BYU.

“[Faith] was one of the biggest draws for me. You get to rub shoulders with some amazing people, including church leaders and priesthood holders. For me, faith is the most important thing in my life. I think for me and my family, that’s the biggest draw. It’s a faith-filled institution.”

Bagnah’s road brought him from a much different place. He is from Lethbridge, Alberta, and didn’t know much about BYU when he was growing up.

“If you had asked me during those years if I would be here, I would’ve said you were crazy,” Bagnah said. “But the advice that I would’ve given myself back then is to trust the process, trust God and the plan you have and He has for you. Everything is going to work out.

“To come from the place where I did to where I’m at now, it is beating a lot of odds. Coming from a different country, playing a difference style of football, doing different things to get recruited, it takes faith to go through all of that. You have to trust everything will be alright if you put the work in for it.

Bagnah started his college career at Boise State before transferring to BYU and recalled some good moments in Provo when he was part of the visiting team.

“Coming from Boise State, it’s not really the best relationship between programs and communities, but I’m glad to be on this side to finish it off,” Bagnah said.

He said it’s almost unbelievable to know that he is to this point in his career.

“You never think this last [home game] is going to happen,” Bagnah said. “This is my sixth season of college football. I see how far I’ve come and how far the rest of the seniors have come. This game means a lot. Everything we’ve prepared for and done throughout our whole careers has come down to this exact game, this very moment.”

Now he treasures everything that he has been able to experience as a Cougar and looks forward to one more special night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

“Running out of that tunnel and onto that field, it’s a feeling like no other,” Bagnah said. “Having the crowd there, the fans, it’s truly euphoric. It’s truly going to be one to remember. I’m going to try my best to soak it all in. I’m beyond blessed to be here and be a part of this wonderful program. I’m truly honored that I get to finish my college football career here.”